evil children

Evil Children

This is Damien Thorn. He is a charter from the movie, Omen II. It's a

horror classic. Many of the teenagers on our unit remind me of Damien.

They are evil children. I took care of my first Damien-like patient

about twenty years ago, and I was shocked when I found out that the

boy had hit his parents and destroyed their home. I couldn't believe

it. My parents would have knocked me into the next state if I had

raised a hand to them, and this kid was still walking around making

demands of the nursing staff, and of his parents. Feeling like I was

living in the Twilight Zone, I went home and talked to my children

after work. I asked them, "What would happen to you if you hit Mommy?"

My three year old just stared at me, and my five year old laughed

nervously while she sat on the couch. They asked me if I was asking a

trick question. I told them about what I saw at work, and then

repeated my question. My five year old finally answered, "You'd kill

us." Then I asked them, "When did you first know that you aren't

allowed to hit me?" My daughters thought a moment, and then the

youngest said in a tiny little voice, "Forever."

My mother sent me this. It's an ad from the Des Moines Register. I bet

this kid doesn't hit his parents. People, you have to teach your

children that you are the boss, and they need to start learning that

lesson shortly after leaving the womb. Please, don't come to me

whining that your kid is out of control when you let them get that way

in the first place. Children seek limits, and they will act out until

you finally have to put your foot down, or until the police come to

your house and drag your kid off to jail.

posted by Mother Jones RN at 11:03 AM

8 Comments:

Blogger poody said...

I hear ya. I do not have kids but I do think that when they

quit letting kids got licks from the teachers at school it sent

a message to kids everywhere that they could get away with

anything. I know as a kid growing up I didn't do a lot of

things for fear of getting a whipping at home. And god forbid I

ever get licks at school because believe me there would be more

of the same at home! Yes, we all lived in fear of the belt or

flyswat or whatever weapon they used. Was it too much? At the

time if you had asked me I would have given you a resounding

yes! But, knowing what I know now, I have to say if they act up

beat 'em! LOL! As my mom used to say "you better act like you

got some sense"that and " I will give you something to cry

about!"

8:31 AM

Blogger Smalltown RN said...

I hear you....children do need to learn boundaries and

accountability etc...and where should they learn that? Of

course from their parents...it is our responsibility as parents

to teach our children these important life skills....I don't

buy the out of control child thing. I had a very challenging

middle daughter who pushed the limits all the time...but there

were alway consequences for her actions and she knew it...now

as a young adult, she is responsible and accountable has a job

and goals....did I as her parent have anything to do with

that..you bet....I taught her about life skills ....

11:19 AM

Blogger Jean-Luc Picard said...

Learning right and wrong is a fundamental principal.

11:36 AM

Blogger Jennifer said...

You know, I agree with this - but I can't agree with poody's

contention that it's the lack of beating that makes children so

awful. I don't beat my children beyond the VERY occasional swat

on the behind. This is primarily because I grew up terrified of

my father, who used to physically discipline my brother and

myself frequently. I don't want my children to be terrified of

me - I want them to respect me and follow the rules of our

household and polite societal behavior. Regardless of their

lack of 'lickings' I have very well behaved 4 year old twins. I

frequently receive comments from perfect strangers about how

well they behave when we are out to eat, at stores, etc. My

approach has been to be CONSISTENT which is what's missing from

many households these days. The consequences for misbehaving

are the same when we're in public as they are at home, and my

children know that. I really believe consistency is the key to

this - I set limits, and if my children cross them, they

receive consequences every time.

2:30 PM

Blogger Amrita said...

Clap...clap...clap. I am cheering for you Mother Jones for

saying this.

Most kids who are out of control were not taught their

limits.In my family too and their parents are just giving in to

their demands.

One nearly 5 yr. old plotted the murder of his 13 yr old cousin

sister right in front of us on the living room couch.He talked

about the various methods of extermination...he hates her.And

the mother said well, he watches too much Telly.

The iron hand that rocks the cradle with (with love) rules the

world.

7:08 PM

Blogger MadMike said...

Yes! Yes! Yes! MJ I am going to steal this entire post and post

it on my blog on Monday. Naturally you will be attributed. I

hope you don't mind. As a former cop I feel very strongly about

this.

3:29 PM

Blogger Doc's Girl said...

Amen. :) I always tell Jason when we talk about future

children, "I'm going to be an evil mommy!" :-P :-P

3:34 PM

Blogger CaptainCarrot said...

Jennifer, there are many kids who never received much in the

way of beatings when they were kids because they didn't deserve

them. And it's people like your father who gave rise to the

mistaken notion that any corporal punishment whatsoever was

tantamount to child abuse.

You're fortunate to have two kids who don't need it. The

problem is that most kids who do need it these days don't get

it.

Consistency is, of course, of utmost importance, but to be

consistent in discipline there must be discipline present in

the first place.

3:35 PM

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