My kids have been staying up late with their summer freedom. They spend a lot of time talking to their friends on the internet, who evidently are also getting to stay up late. Actually, it’s nice for me in the morning, as it gives me a quiet house in which to work while they catch up on their sleep.
Well, I noticed they watched Mrs. Doubtfire the night before last. If you remember the storyline, it’s about a dad who learns take care of the house and his life in unconventional ways. Somewhere between returning from the youth convention in 
There was a note on the countertop when I got up in the morning: “we just wanted to do something special for you so that you didn’t have to worry about the dishes…we love you.”
I think I must have read it four or five times before my brain finally registered what had happened. Behold; a clean countertop!
So, I got a glimpse of what can happen when we don’t give up on our kids. They really are listening. They really do care about their families. And, 
Sally