Everybody Is Somebody's Baby

In my job, I can't remind myself of this enough. Kids can melt your heart and raise your blood pressure all in the same moment, and there are times when you want to snap. I DO believe there are times when you have to be extremely firm with some children, and I'm no pushover, but I have no stomach for these people who constantly scream at their students. You have to ask yourself, "Would I act this way if their parents were here?"

I was reminded of this today in a conversation with another teacher. In the past, I have dealt with a particular set of students. I found out today that those children were a result of fertility interventions. Obviously, I can't say any more, but the point is that these kids were wanted desperately and their parents waited for them for a long time. I think it's easy for someone in the field of education to stop seeing students for who they are and start thinking of them in terms of their academic abilities, behavior, or grades, and forget about their lives and experiences outside of school. It's easy to see them for who they are at school, and forget about the external factors in their lives. Personally, I treat my students with respect and generally have good relationships with them, but I know that there are times (for ALL of us) when you JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! How do you respond? Would their parents feel positively about you if they saw you treating their child that way?

When I have children and they go places and interact with other people, I am going to wish that I could make those people understand how I've waited for those kids and how important they are to their dad and me. Heck, I'm sure a LOT of people feel that way. I know personally, my parents have BOTH dealt with infertility in the past and they have done their fair share of waiting. My mom was married before she married my dad. She and her first husband were married for 17 years before he passed away from cancer, but they never could have children. My dad was married too, and he and his wife (DON'T get me started on her) couldn't have children, which is why he adopted my big brother. When my parents got married, they had no idea that I'd be coming along because they thought that having children just wasn't an option for them. I think this is part of the reason why I've always had such a guarded attitude toward trying to have a baby. I know that it "just happens" for some people, but it's never come that easily to anyone in my family, and I've always been surrounded by reminders that babies are not to be taken for granted.

So, just remember...every time that kid in the restaurant just won't stop screaming, bite your tongue for just a minute and think, "Somebody loves that kid, somebody loves that kid, somebody loves that kid....." I'm not making any excuses for children who are spoiled or have just plain nasty manners, but sometimes we just need to remember that everyone is important to somebody.