A fantastic lesson learned. I can totally relate to you not being in the mood to help. I admit that sometimes I go back and forth on issues like this. The children involved in these situation are the biggest victims. At the same time the parents (in many cases) are well aware that most people will give them help b/c they have children. It becomes a form of emotional blackmail. Their children are their meal ticket. These people are takers and users. If you don't help them and THEIR children you are a bad person. You are not showing the love of Christ. But whose responsibility is it to care for their children? Its called being a parent. Its called responsibility. I agree with doing everything I can to help in a real emergency or crisis. But when people are set on consistently making bad choices it may be time to refer them to social services.