Parenting
You know THAT kid, right? The one who seems way too old to be throwing a tantrum in the towel aisle at Target. THAT kid who hurls mulch at other kids on the playground—again and again. THAT kid who can’t stop using “potty words.” THAT kid who pushes boundaries like it’s his job. THAT kid who’s yelling at the top of his lungs in a restaurant, or maybe even trying to punch a stranger just for saying “Hello!” You’ve probably told your kids to steer clear of him, not wanting his antics to rub off.
But do you really know THAT kid?
You don’t see the countless hours his mom spends in waiting rooms, working with pediatric therapists, researching diets, and diving into behavior modification strategies. You don’t realize how often his dad has missed work, giving sponge baths for years, or perfecting the ‘squeezy hug’ technique to help calm him down. You can’t possibly understand the pride that swells when he greets his therapist with a hug, only to feel the sting of disappointment when he lashes out right after. You don’t know the heartache of watching him miss out on birthday parties, Disney trips, playdates, story times, and movies because he just “can’t make it stop”—whatever “it” may be at the moment.
You probably don’t know that he was a super chill, smiling baby until a virus at seven weeks old flipped his world upside down. If he had it his way, he’d be snuggled in a chair with his favorite blankie, avoiding the outside world altogether. You might not realize he’s the first to sense when an animal is frightened, offering his beloved blankie to comfort it. You’d be surprised to learn how gentle he is with babies, noticing every little adorable detail. You don’t know that he kicks off every day by asking his mom how well she slept, or that he shares his treats without even asking you to take a bite. Cooking is his passion—breakfast is his specialty! You also may not see how aware he is that he doesn’t quite fit into the world, feeling lost without knowing how to change it.
And you can’t fathom how deep the love for a little person can truly run.
I know all of this and more because THAT kid is MY kid. He’s my son, and I hope you never forget that.
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In summary, we often judge kids by their outward behaviors without understanding the challenges they face. Behind every “problematic” kid is a world of love, struggle, and untold stories.