A sign of maturity is when
someone takes full responsibility
of how their actions will affect the future.  
Teaching children how to make decisions
on their own, is not always as successful
as we wish it to be, because we want
our children to be successful by our definition of success.  
What is important to also teach our children
is that we will also accept the outcome
of decisions that cause all of us  
immense pain and suffering,
though it could lead us all to an early grave.  
Teach our children that we feel their pain –
in our hearts, minds and bodies when we silently look on.  
Teach our children that they don't need to be silent with us,
because it is that silence that keeps them immature.
Teach our children that we are a safe place
in which to speak our hearts and minds
and they will be received in love, not in anger
or shame that they have not met our expectations.  
When we all come to this too late,
that silence becomes a stone
that can turn into a mountain.  
And a mother's tears become an ocean.