Last night I attended a community meeting about violence. Certainly people were coming from very different perspectives — the cops aren't doing enough; the cops are hassling too many people; etc. etc. One of the more interesting ideas that someone proposed was having widely available resources for new parents, like parenting classes. I think this is a great idea. I was always someone who excelled at school, and yet managed to be tripped up by basic functions of life. I think there should be more resources both in schools and in the community at large that actually directly relate to actual life. In my case, I could have used some real education in handling money. I could still use that.

I bookmarked this quote from an Oprah forum on Television Without Pity a long time ago because I think this person has it right:

What I wish high schools would do is have a basic living class. By that, I mean a class that all students would have to participate in class where they are given a budget, a pretend checking account, pretend credit cards etc. As the class goes on the students would be assigned jobs with different salaries and then have to 'pay' their bills and other expenses. If they use their credit cards they see how the interest adds up and what happens when they pay only the minimum. Also, the instructor would throw in curve balls every now and then. Maybe there is a medical emergency, the student gets 'married' or 'pregnant' and has to quit work, or perhaps gets a raise and learns about saving for retirement or the kids college fund. Things like that. If a class like that was taught then I think young people would realize what having credit means and what is a necessary item and what really is a luxury item.

I think it would be cool if math classes could send large groups of kids out to restaurants and time how fast they could split the bill and figure out tips. Or send them to a couple of different grocery stores with manufacturer's coupons, 25% off a single item coupons, and double-triple-gimmick coupons and see where they could get the best deal.

Unfortunately, dealing with money and raising kids aren't things that everyone can just "pick up along the way." I think there are a lot of people who can attest to that.