Give kids an important holiday gift

What's up with the vandalism in Oak Park?

We pride ourselves on high educational standards, our beautiful community and our children. But we don't seem to be doing a good job of teaching our kids respect. And we don't seem to be aware of what our children are doing.

When kids tear down trees, damage vehicles, irrigation systems and playing fields, they are showing a complete lack of consideration for their families, neighbors, friends and their community.

We've all experienced incidents of disrespect in traffic during the heavy morning school drop-off and afternoon pick-up hours, at soccer, basketball and baseball games, or in daily interactions with each other. Are we setting the best example we can?

The parents of four teens arrested in October on suspicion of vandalizing cars and trees said they had no idea their kids were sneaking out at night and committing crimes. These are not "bad" kids from "bad" families. But perhaps they were overindulged, as many of our children are.

Respect may seem like an old-fashioned sentiment that's not cool, but it's an important value in everyday life. Don't we respond more positively to someone who is respectful than we do to someone who is not? If you have respect it will take you far, personally and professionally. Without it you will face challenges all your life. We need to praise kids for showing respect the same way we celebrate their athletic and academic achievements.

It's time we pay closer attention to what our children are doing and teach them respect. It's the best gift to give kids, especially during this holiday season of excess.