I am in a unique position. The kids talk to me as one of them but not one of them, an adult but not their parent or professor, a peer. I have had a girl talk to me about a pregnancy scare, and another about her “first time” and how upset she was. They complain about teachers and tell me about their struggles with their parents. I am not sure I tell them the right thing every time- I pray a lot!
But lately, I have been shocked to see the kids often making better choices and acting more mature than some of the adults. It makes them wonder why these adults act like the do. I can’t answer those questions. I do understand why they have done what they did but it was still inexcusable and I will not make excuses for them! These adults are supposed to set an example and some of them are not.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are lots of fabulous teachers and some of these kids are exasperating! But it doesn’t change the fact that some of these teachers forget who is the adult and who is the kid! And I am again caught in the middle.
Those of you who are adults and working with kids, I know we still feel young inside and we get angry and some of these kids try our last nerve! I get to hear what these kids are seeing and how they interpret things and it is pretty eye opening how astute they are and how appalled they are when you act like petulant children! So try to remember who you are and and who is watching!
