Bad Kids

"Do you even have kids?!"

I am asked this question quite frequently at work. They ask the question rather indignantly and angrily. No, I do not have children, but I don't dare tell them that. I usually say something like, "I'm not here to talk about myself."

I don't have kids. I have no idea what it's like to be the mother of a disobedient child. I don't claim to be anything close to an expert on parenting. I have seen a lot of methods that do not work, however. I have no doubt that parenting is difficult. At times, it has got to be the toughest thing. They scream and cry. They talk back and break stuff. They lie to your face and get in fights.

But ya know what? I don't care.

Go ahead, tell me the worst of it. Bring out your list and recount every wrong the child has committed. Yes, tell me that you've tried everything and nothing works. He is just a bad kid. On second thought, don't waste your breath. It does not matter what they do. They do not deserve to be mistreated.

Dad, I know fourteen year old failed two classes and got in a fight at school. I don't care. He does not deserve the belt.

Step-dad, I do not care that sixteen year old cussed at you; you have no right to punch him. Oh, and he punched you back so you kept punching? Still not ok.

Mom, since when can you just throw in the towel when they get old enough to tell you "no." How can you just give up so easily? It's like your children are expendable. Don't worry though; we've found good homes for them.

Dad, I know that seven year old is difficult; he is smart as a whip and knows which buttons to push. But I don't care. There is absolutely no reason to beat him.

Mom, you say your sixteen year old is incorrigible. Sure, she is on probation for drinking at a party on New Years. But where were you on New Years? And by the way, the foster parents have had no problems with her behavior.

I hate that I live in a society that finds it acceptable to beat or abandon "bad" children. It's so easy to "sign off" on your child and go on living your self-seeking life. There is nothing that a child could do to deserve abuse or abandonment.

No, I don't have kids, but I will always fight for that child.

Always.