| children ages 14, 12, 11 and 9

This doesn't hit me as too big a deal. 12 is old enough to babysit in Florida, last I checked. It's not really enforced, but we have two kids here able to take that role legally. Not sure on time limits though.

OTOH, lemmy was where I first learned that kids aren't growing up as fast as Gen X did. That was a revelation! Not saying that's a bad thing. Articles I've read on the subject agree that having a longer childhood is a sign of a healthy society, what with not having to hit the mines at 12.

I really wish more parents would focus on the goal, raising future adults. Here's a story I heard on the radio and it was appalling:

Caller is upset that her 17-yo daughter started a fire in the fireplace while home alone.

"Did she do a proper job of it, or was something unsafe?"

"No, she did a perfect job, just as she was taught, but she had no business doing that without supervision!"

I wanted to scream, "Look lady, your kid is within a year of being able to sign up for the military, or any other legal contract. Drinking aside, on her 18th she'll be able to do anything she damned well pleases, including telling you to get fucked. Better act like you understand."