I am the mother of the naughty kid

Elijah

I am the mother of the naughty kid.
The one who screams too loudly on the bus.
The one that doesn't sit still.
The one you walk past and he is having a massive tantrum. You look at us, smile politely and I can see how you are glad it isn't you.
I know the looks we get.
I feel their eyes burning into my back and I feel as though my parenting ability is being judged.
I can see the disapproval in your eyes when you see my child leg it off down the road.
I am the mother of the naughty kid who has to shout. Alot.
He is the one who hasn't quite learn to share or understand to take turns at the park.
Despite us drilling it into him to be kind he will probably push your kid over. I will apolgise profusely and deliver a time out as my face flushes red. You watch me wrangle a now board stiff toddler to the sidelines whilst grappling a wriggling newborn.
He will take your kid's toy despite us talking about sharing the whole way here.
I will go home and cry and wonder why my child doesnt behave? Why he isn't like your children.
That I am a bad parent as I cannot control my child when we are out. That its my fault he doesn't listen, walk nicely or just sit still.
I will now avoid taking him out due to the anxiety he will not behave.
The words ADHD are flippently said and root in to my subconscious.
He isn't always a brat but he is frustrated and unsure of himself. How he should act so he lashes out.
He is strong willed and stubborn.
He isn't nasty on purpose.
What you don't see is how loving and caring he is.
How amazing he is when he behaves at home.
What you dont know is what he has been through.
What you don't know is how we as parents feel when you are looking at us like that.
We are his parents but we do not control him.
He is his own person and right now he is the naughty kid but it doesn't mean he is a bad kid.
I am the mother of the naughty kid and I am just trying my best and so is he.

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Vicki Cockerill - NICU MUM Blog

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