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shawnmmcc
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My wife did intake assessments of children and adolescents for the local mental health group for two years. You'll find behind many of those little brats an ignored, neglected, or abused little person crying out for attention. At least the worst ones.
When you see the kid acting like a brat, look around for the parents. Watch them, if available. You might learn what not to do. Even better yet, volunteer with scouts, 4-H, big brothers, etc. and help those kids who need someone. Sometimes, though, kids just go through a brat stage. As if none of us here did.
Some parents with brats are trying the best they can. They are single parents, a really tough situation, maybe living right at the edge of poverty, while the kids don't even have a park to play in, or a safe place to walk. Sometimes that kid is just going through pushing limits (my mother deserves sainthood for not killing me  )
I tried to raise someone else's 7, 9, and 14 year olds when I was 25 (father was dead, careless gunsmith). They stay in touch, and it's been over a decade. Great kids, but I was more invested in the kids than their mom. And yes, the little one was a monster, but you know something, he's a pretty good adult now. He had a hell of a lot better excuse for the way he acted than a lot of adults I've seen.
I have my own now, an eight month old. You will never know the pure, unadulterated joy of a young child experiencing something for the very first time, something they've really wanted. She got to pet the kitty, when I figured out, while intercepting a grabby, that if I was careful, I could keep my fingertip on her palm to prevent hair pulling, while her fingers "pet" the kitty along with mommy. Our little girl just glowed, making sounds of delight (parents out there know what I mean). I will cherish that moment for a lifetime.
The cat deserves some kind of medal, she got picked up by her mommy, which is just as good from the kitty's point of view - purr, purr . Kids are wonderful, and bring wonder into the world. We just get old and forget. Oh, and if I were to offer any of you readers one a single piece of advice (besides loving the child, that's not advice, that's simply a must, if you can't, don't have kids). NO commercial TV, it gives all of you time for each other, and your child is better behaved.
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10-11-2003 10:14
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