Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should

Why do some people have children??  Why do some people adopt children, for that matter????  I truly believe there are people in the world who do so just because it's fashionable or expected.  Rather than have children out of love or to give love unselfishly, they create families because it looks good on a resume or in an ad for political office or gives them status among their peers and community.  Hell, maybe some folks are just sadomasochist who enjoy torturing little helpless human beings.

I don't mean to get on a tirade, but it just pisses me off!  Just this year, I've provided counsel to more than a handful of kids living in some quite disturbing homes.  Yes, I am aware that I must report any neglect or abuse and I do.  But what I'm talking about doesn't "fit" in the category of abuse or neglect according to the law.  Oh, it's abuse all right but not from a legal perspective.

If you hate your husband so much that you fight daily, maybe it's time to move on.  If your house is in constant turmoil because you drink too much, put your kids up for adoption!  If you are constantly moving to get away from a crazed ex-lover, let the kids stay with a cousin or aunt or something.  If your 14 year old wants to skip school and smoke pot with her 38 year old boyfriend, don't let her leave the freakin' house!  Yes, it's easier to just let her do what she wants, but you are hurting her in the long run.  Why not stay home from the Club one weekend and spend time with her?

If one more kid comes to me to complain about his/her shattered life, I just might break down and have to pull out my big can of Whoop Ass!  I am sick of folks treating their kids like disposable butt wipes.  Being a teenager is hard!  They worry so much about wearing the right clothes, avoiding ridicule and harassment, school, boyfriends, siblings, etc.  Isn't that enough without them having to worry about whether or not there will be running water at home???

Dude, I am so NOT going to have perfect kids nor will my children grow up to be the next President.  Give me a break, please - I'm a realist.  However, I'm damn sure going to try my very best to give them a boring, normal home life where they can depend on me to provide for them physically and emotionally.  At the same time, I'm going to offer up a healthy dose of Mama's-going-to-kill-me-if-I-do-this so as to give them a little incentive to do the right thing.  Period.

Parents before you start suggesting counseling and medication for your disturbed son or daughter, why don't you check yourself first?  More times than not, the kids are perfectly fine; it's the parents in desperate need of a lobotomy.  They really are little reflections of the ugliness their parents exude.

Just sayin'.