More Cake

I enjoy interviewing kids. It's the science and psychology of it, the little nuances that make it so interesting. But I can't simply view the interview on a scientific level; most often I cannot break myself away from the human level. These are actual children, who actually endured this or that, and it tears me up inside.

Sometimes the words they say break my heart. Like when they know things that children their age should not know. Or when they can barely get the words out because the pain is so great.

I hurt for them; I get angry for them; I do my best to get justice for them and protect them.

But other times, the interviews are not so heavy. The allegations may be false or the child simply is not aware of anything inappropriate happening at home. So we talk about school and friends. We talk about family, and what life is like at home.

This leads me to another reason I enjoy interviewing kids. Sometimes, the things they say (or do) are hilarious. Like the young girl who kept tooting and laughing while I was talking to her. Or the kiddo who described his elaborate plan for a home without a roof. He just did not like roofs.

When I'm finishing up a typical interview, I usually ask the child if he could change anything to make life better at home, what would it be.  This week I was talking to a kiddo and asked him that question. He pondered his response for a bit and then declared, "Life would be better if mom would make more cake!"

That made my day. That's exactly what kids should be concerned about. None of this abuse or neglect. He just wanted some more cake.