The comments are flying in on today's story about Boo at the Zoo and daVinci's/Champions/First Evangelical Conventant Church parting ways.

I wrote the story.

I looked at if from both sides.

I am also a parent.

Back when my child was young enough to attend Boo at the Zoo, I was never bothered by any Biblical messages or stories on the back of coupons. To be honest, I never noticed them. Neither did my kid.

And I don't think I would be bothered my messages from other non-Christian religions. But some people might.

But as a mom and as a human being, there are messages I don't want my kid to get while trick or treating at the zoo. I would be uncomfortable with any treats tied to religious and political positions on abortion, or homosexuality, or stem cell research, or immigration issues.

You may say these arguments are over the top when it comes to common sense.

Perhaps.

But perhaps not.

We all have the right to an opinion. We all have the freedom to take a stand. That stand -- like our religion and vote -- are personal choices. And we live in a nation where rights are supposed to be equal to all. Meaning, if one group can hand out Biblical stories, another group can hand out Biblical verses pertaining to whatever cause they believe in -- including abortion, homosexuality and scientific research. All these issues are important and should be addressed by the people living in this country. They are issues that parents should address with their children when the time and age are right.

But I don't want to find them in my child's trick or treat bag.

This morning did not go smoothly.

The kid got up, and then decided to built a fort -- rather than get dressed and eat so we could head out the door to school.

These distractions happen frequently when you have an ADHD kid -- even a teen-ager.

They are frustrating. They irritate me to no end.

But this morning as we were racing out the door, tensions high, my son joked: "So are you going to drop me off at the hospital?"

The night before we had talked about the 15-year-old and 11-year-old who had been dropped off at Nebraska hospitals by family members using the state's new Safe Haven law, which allows people to abandon children in "Safe Havens" without criminal repercussion. Last night he he had been a little worried, until I reassured him I would never abandon him.

But less than 12 hours later, I could understand why some parents and guardians feel as if the Safe Haven law is their only option.

I was not thinking of taking my son to the hospital. I was actually thinking about taking away privileges -- computer, cell phone, TV, etc.

But then again my situation is different. My kid knows how to push my buttons. But deep down he is really a good kid -- he just doesn't always make the wisest choices, and he's got a problem with the concept of time. There are days where I am at wit's end. And there are days where I wonder, what can I do differently.

I cannot imagine feeling that way 24-7. But I know there are parents out there that do. They have run out of ideas of getting control and truly helping their kid. They are not bad parents. They are exhausted and beaten down parents.

And while I do not necessarily condone every parent using the threat "I'll drop you off at the hospital," I do see these two recent cases as high-profile indicators of a bigger problem in this state and in this country: a lack of mental health care services and a bigger lack of funding for these services.

Counseling, medication and therapy all offer help to families. But few can afford it -- especially long term. Regardless of who we want to "blame" for these family issues, the fact is they are out there affecting more and more families, hurting more and more kids and leaving more and more parents feeling hopeless, helpless and inadequate. Say what you want about "where are the parents," or "bad parents" but then move on to the big picture. These kids need strong parents, or they will grow up to become struggling parents and perpetuate the cycle. These parents are not "losers" but people who simply don't know what to do.

Families are this nation's most important asset. Supporting families, without judging them, is the best thing for them, for us, and for our nation.

Maybe the Safe Haven law is being tested in unusual ways. But if that's what it takes for us to notice we have to do something to help -- then so be it.

Have you caught wind of the rantings on today's Web site about the Nebraska WomenWork! employment survey results released today.

The survey -- admittedly unscientific -- said that nearly two-thirds of working women in Nebraska believe they had experienced some form of discrimination over the past five years. And one in five women surveyed said they had been victims of sexual harassment.

Today's commenters have bashed the survey and the results. They have also bashed women -- telling them to get better jobs, get better educations and find better careers outside of traditionally lower paying jobs in "education and health care."

I think their protests indicate a very raw nerve was hit.

But even if we don't want to stand up for what is right for adult women in this state, the least we can do is stand up for our daughters. Nine out of 10 girls, ages 12 to 18, have been sexually harassed, according to a study by
Christia Brown, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky, and Campbell Leaper, professor of psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz. And girls who were good athletes or good at math and science had to endure sexist comments.

If those numbers are not enough to make you stand up and take notice -- perhaps this finding will. Apparently many of the girls interviewed said they ignore or discount the comments and even the physical sexual grabbing as "boys being boys." And worse yet, these girls tend to blame selves for this unwarranted behavior.

I am 48. But I still remember vividly that day on a fourth-grade school field trip when Mark Shapiro spent the entire ride to and from the event reaching over the back of the seat and sticking his hand up my dress. Telling him to knock it off only worsened the assault. Telling the teacher resulted in me being disciplined -- not him. I was so ashamed I never told my parents. But clearly I have not forgotten either.

Dismissing gender issues facing adult women in Nebraska is one thing.

But we are doing our daughters -- and our sons -- a great disservice by theorizing that sex discrimination and sexual harassment are just the byproduct of overly sensitive and whiney females. We need to make it clear discrimination and harrassment of anyone is wrong. Period.

It may have happened overnight. I'm not sure.

But last night, as I was talking to my son, I realized I was looking up. My husband noticed it at the exact same time.

I know he was still shorter than me last week.

So perhaps it happened while he was at the State Fair. Or, maybe while he slept.

Regardless, it is rather disconcerting to be the shortest one in the house -- with the exception of our two cats. Even the dog rivals me.

And while I am proud of the young man my son is rapidly becoming, I mourn the days when I could still lift him up or even carry him in my arms.

They do grow fast. And sometimes it happens overnight.

Yesterday was the first day of school for my new high schooler.

All day long I waited with anticipation to hear about his day in a new school -- a new world. Like usual, "nothing" happened. They did "stuff." Etc.

Finally at dinner, we said tell us the best part.

Care to take a guess?

"Valentino's pizza for lunch!" he said.

How about you? Your kids do anything, learn anything or eat anything special at school that first day?