seeking for help

It simply saddens me to hear that some young kids had gone astray and sought companionship and help from wrong kind of peers. Because of problems at home, lack of attention, loneliness, or simply out of rebellion, kids seek help outside the family. Worst they seek help or belongingness from friends on the wrong side of the fence. Take the case of hubby's cousin, who came from a very well-off family, who never thought they will be forced to place their son in a drug treatment center. All they ever wanted was to give the best for their son. Good school, comfortable and sheltered life. But I guess their over-protectiveness made their kid even more rebellious. In this age, wherein we live in a fast-paced life, we think that giving our kids with comfortable life means giving in to their material request and demands. We sometimes forget that not all new gadgets and fashionable stuff may replace the tender loving care our children need. Sometimes parents like me need to do some reality check. Have we spent quality time with our kids lately? Did we listen with our heart to their needs? I am sometimes guilty of listening without understanding...guilty of just giving in as convenient (and faster) thing to do than arguing. Oh well, it's never too late to do the right thing. I must act now.