A friend of mine is going through the process of gaining custody of an 18 month old little girl. There is evidence from the babies behaviors that she has been abused. Abused in the kind of ways that makes your gut clench and think of doing unspeakable things to another adult.
Just listening to the evidence breaks your heart in a million pieces and makes you wonder, WHY?
Today, I had a sit down talk with a 4th grade student. First of all I have to say he is one of those kids you just have to love. There is something about the way he talks to you, interacts with his peers, and looks at you that just makes you want to love him.
During our activity today he was frustrated and just gave up. After all the other kids left I pulled him back to have a chat. A "You Can Do IT, I Know You Can Do IT Chat." As we talked he said to me, "I just have a lot of hard things in my life right now."
I was as sympathetic as I could be and tried to tell him that he just had to try as hard as he could to get through the hard things.
I have no idea what kind of hard things he was talking about. I can only guess and I'm sure that I would be incorrect. I talked to his teacher later in the day and notified her of our conversation. She is an awesome teacher and I KNOW she will care for him.
However, I find myself again angry with adults. I really could go off, I have all kinds of, "What is your problem? and How would you like it ifs..." running around in my head.
I know all of these thoughts are contrary to my whole being optimistic goal but I have to believe there is a special Hell for adults who mistreat and abuse children.
I have had to face the fact that the downside of working with children is learning that not all children are cherished and cared for equally.
It is heartbreaking and I hope that I am up for the task. I hope that I can have enough love to overcome the absolutely ugly feelings I have.
Just listening to the evidence breaks your heart in a million pieces and makes you wonder, WHY?
Today, I had a sit down talk with a 4th grade student. First of all I have to say he is one of those kids you just have to love. There is something about the way he talks to you, interacts with his peers, and looks at you that just makes you want to love him.
During our activity today he was frustrated and just gave up. After all the other kids left I pulled him back to have a chat. A "You Can Do IT, I Know You Can Do IT Chat." As we talked he said to me, "I just have a lot of hard things in my life right now."
I was as sympathetic as I could be and tried to tell him that he just had to try as hard as he could to get through the hard things.
I have no idea what kind of hard things he was talking about. I can only guess and I'm sure that I would be incorrect. I talked to his teacher later in the day and notified her of our conversation. She is an awesome teacher and I KNOW she will care for him.
However, I find myself again angry with adults. I really could go off, I have all kinds of, "What is your problem? and How would you like it ifs..." running around in my head.
I know all of these thoughts are contrary to my whole being optimistic goal but I have to believe there is a special Hell for adults who mistreat and abuse children.
I have had to face the fact that the downside of working with children is learning that not all children are cherished and cared for equally.
It is heartbreaking and I hope that I am up for the task. I hope that I can have enough love to overcome the absolutely ugly feelings I have.
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