Be vigilant but also trusting of caretakers

The disturbing news that we have been hearing lately from Penn State has weighed heavily on me as the mother of two young boys. It is not possible or even advisable for me to keep my children in my sight at all times, so I rely on other responsible adults in their lives to maintain their safety and well-being when I am not there.

When I hear about “responsible” adults not only doing heinous things to children, but also failing to put a stop to these crimes, I wonder what parents need to learn from this.

Should we stop trusting our children's teachers, day care providers, coaches, Scout leaders and Sunday school teachers? Perhaps some extra caution is in order.

But when I think about all of the good, decent, caring adults in my children's lives, my first thought is to be thankful, not fearful. Yes, there are some bad people out there and parents should beware. But there are so many more good people who are true blessings in the lives of our children.

Be careful, be informed, be vigilant. But above all, be grateful.

Marcie Stumpf

Cedar Rapids