I felt the urge to post this because it was so heavy on my heart today.
I was standing behind a lady in a business office today and observed the way she treated her (I am guessing) 20 mo. old son. I'm not one to judge other's parenting styles but this made me sick. She was talking to the clerk & kept forcing the child (who was being VERY well behaved after observing him for at least 10 minutes) to stand perfectly still and hold onto his two week old brother's carrier. I noticed that he lost his balance a little and swayed, she spanked him a few times and yelled at him. Still obeying his mom and holding onto the carrier, he shifted his feet a little, she then proceeded to thump him hard on the head a couple of times then he started crying, she then yelled at him and told him, "I'm gonna beat you if you keep crying." Seriously though, I am all about discipline, even spanking if necessary for discipline, but this type of behavior from a parent is unacceptable.
I went through several things I could have told the lady but decided to just remain quiet as to not make a scene. The boy looked at me with tears in his eyes & I have to say I was choked up for him. As she left she was literally pushing him out the door with the carrier of her 2 week old. I really just wanted to take this poor boy home.
Kids most certainly need discipline but it is hard to watch when the God-given responsibly of a parent to discipline a child is so blatantly being abused. It was a good reminder for me today to take every situation with my kids with patience and love. To access where my kid is coming from when making a poor decision and accessing if he or she is being willfully defiant or just making an honest mistake. These things are good to think about before we as parents go whaling about, abusing our authority.
Oh, Andrea! Reading this post just broke my heart! I was snacking and I just turned nauseous. Thanks, but no thanks for the story....I'll sleep with this little boy for a few nights! I wish I could, to protect him. You are a tender, good woman. Wish you had of knocked the crap out of that woman...but then, it would have been a lonely Christmas for you! Vicky
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I don't think I could have bit my tongue though. All we can do is pray for these little children. I had an experience the other day where I was riding my bike through a neighborhood and I saw a boy, no more than 5 walking down the sidewalk with his backpack on his back. I knew he was walking home from school, but I also knew that the closest school was at least a few blocks away. For whatever reason I just thought that he shouldn't have to walk home at such a young age. I totally understand that some families are forced to have both parents working 40 hours a week, and they are unable to pick up there kids from school, but this boy was soooo young. Maybe I am wrong. I certainly don't know the circumstance. I prayed for him and kept on riding.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this Andrea,...it reminds us to pray for all the little ones who suffer everyday from abuse. You are a sweetheart!
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