Pay it Forward!

I was beginning to write a serious blog on something I have been frustrated about and In the background, my six year old son has been making jokes as he has been playing chess with the neighbor boy. I couldn't help but erase what I had written and start over in a more jovial manner.

I am sitting hear enjoying the conversation these two six year old boys are having. Especially over a game of chess. They are both extremely intelligent and at times it's hard to think they are only six. They are like two men sitting there at times... then one will fart and the two of them will bust out giggling.... "stinky, underwear, fart head" one says then both turn beat red in the face as they giggle till they fall off there stools... then they compose themselves and argue over whose turn it is next.

It has made me look at how we treat children. If we treat them like people with their own feelings, emotions, wants and desires as well as give them a home full of joy, and help them cultivate their own ideas and spend time with them doing what they enjoy everyday, they blossom into people before our eyes and are able to make intelligent, thought out decisions

On the other hand, if we treat them like they are in our way, they frustrate us, we can't be bothered with their great invention they just made, communicate with them only when they do something they are not suppose to be doing or yelling at them all the time... we foster kids that can't, don't want to, or are unable to make emotionally sound decisions without letting their frustration get in the way because they never feel good enough.

I use to own a retail over the counter business and it would kill me to see parents treat their kids the way did sometimes. they treated them like a burden rather than an individual. At times, and I knew it would cost me their business, I couldn't stay silent with how they were treating their children. One time a mother trying to manage three little toddlers, reached over and smacked one of the tiny people in the face. I was shocked! I didn't even think about what happened next, it just happened. I looked at her like she was the child and said to her, "that was totally uncalled for and you were wrong to do that!" I looked over to the young 3 year old and kneeled down and said "Are you ok?" He was crying, not sure what to do, and shaking his head no. The 'mother' said,"he's fine" in a snippy way and reached for his hand. I stood up and said, "You mean he is no longer in physical pain. If you keep treating him that way, he will never be fine. That is child abuse to hit a toddler in the face! If I ever see you treat a child that way again, I will report you to DCFS!" She grabbed her things and mumbled something like you can't judge me as she walked out the door. I can still see that little 3 year old and his blue eyes looking back at me as she escorted them out of the building. To this day, I still offer up prayers for that, now, young man.

I came from a less than stable home life, and yes, I guess I turned out ok. I believe I did because someone out there was praying for me, much as I pray for that young boy from time to time. I wasn't sure what my calling in life was until I took a volunteer position teaching P.E. to kindergarten thru 4th graders. Then I knew it was my duty to pay it forward. for themselves.