The bloodcurdling scream jerked me out of my concentration. Anxiously, I peered out of the full-sided window that faces the rest of our neighbors.
My mouth fell open as I watched our little five year old neighbor’s daughter shove her little sister off of her little scooter flat on her face. Little sister started wailing and older sister started to giggle.
Having accomplished what she set out to do, older sister proceeded to attempt to run over her sisters finger…while she was crying. I heppened to know mom was home and wondered where she was.
Finally mom came out. And lit her cigarette. She watched her daughter terrorize the younger one. Just watched. Not a word. Not a single word. Just puffing a way on the cigarette and watching her older daughter bully her baby.
I have to wonder what these children are learning at home. When they go to school are they the bullies? Do they think it’s okay for them to push, shove, kick, and terrorize.
I am all for giving children space and learning opportunities. However, it is imperative that our children learn appropriate behavior and how to treat one another. Parents who watch their kids terrorize other children with no comment and no consequences are raising bullies. When their child has a hard time making friends later in life, these parents have no right to blame the school, the community or anyone else.
If you allow your child to be a terror, don’t be surprised if he lives up to your training.