I know this isn't directly related to any readings, but I was reading over the posts this morning and some things came to mind. I love teaching and I love children, but their parents can be so frustrating at times. I understand that more often than not parents will raise their children they way they were raised because that is all they know. I understand how difficult being a parent is, I am one. However I just don't get some of the neglect and psychological abuse that goes on in some of these children's homes. I have students who come to school dirty, smelly, and I just don't get it. I realize that most of my children come from poor homes, but being clean is not expensive. Also how hard is it to look in a child's bookbag each day? Make sure they have a regular early bedtime? Somehow I thought when I had my own child I would begin to understand better, but it just makes me even more angry. Sadly enough, these children probably don't even realize things shouldn't be this way.
About 1 week ago a parent of one of my students was arrested. He was getting a gun from a neighbor in exchange for something, probably drugs, and the police were observing the whole incident from the woods. I am assuming this was a set up. But the child watched her dad get thrown to the ground and handcuffed. He is still in jail and she is bouncing off the walls at school. How can parents deal drugs out of their home and have children who they are suppose to be role models for? Sorry I had to vent! But somebody please try and help me understand! Even parents who grew up in unhealthy households should know enough to provide their child with the basics.