The Best Way to Make Children Good is to Make Them Happy.

The best way to make children good is to make them happy. (Oscar Wilde)

I'm sure Mr. Wilde had good intentions when he authored this quote during the 19th century. That being said, he probably lacked the foresight that 21st century children would most likely be "made happy" by video games laden with violence, television shows with little moral value and the most recent role model to little girls all over the world: Hannah-the-Hussy Montana.

But then again, Wilde wasn't exactly the "ideal" family man. He was arrested for being a homosexual, which was "outlawed" in England at the time. Another pearl of wisdom from Wilde that didn't exactly endear him to the ladies: "Men can be analyzed, women ... merely adored." I'm sure he would change his tune if he saw how many women were serving their country through the various military branches; not too mention politically active alongside their male counterparts. And for the record, I think even a "Wilde" card like Oscar wouldn't find Nancy Pelosi the least bit adored - by men or women.

Every parent wants to make their child "happy" and "good." But when I look around at the current generations; from toddlers, tweens through teens; I can't help but ask myself, "What is happy?" Is it the look in your child's eyes after receiving a barbie for not misbehaving while Mommy shops for necessities at Walmart? Guilty: Party of one! Fleeting, instant-gratification driven happiness doesn't teach our kids anything, although the five minutes of happiness spent experimenting with a new toy gives mommy just enough time to relax and get through five pages of a mindless magazine before chaos rears their heads again. At this point, I'll take what I can get. I never realized what a commodity solitude would become for me. Speaking of solitude, sounds like Josie is waking up with a night terror. Ya'll know what that's like. At least my readers who aren't male and over 55 (you know who you are...:) Mary...Out.