I wonder what it would feel like to be thrown back into childhood as an adult where you are being talked to and treated the way big humans treat little humans. Perhaps in some ways it would be fantastic to have play be your “work” and to be able to leave the worry of food, housing and life’s necessities to someone else. Perhaps it would be frustrating to not have total control over what you wear or what is served for dinner, whether or not you can get a pet. I imagine it would be hard to go back to a time where you were stuck in a classroom with classmates you can’t stand or a teacher you don’t like, and with no voice or power to change your circumstances.
As with all situations there are pros and cons, and although thinking about what it would be like to be a kid again (with adult thinking) is a waste of time and energy, it may be worth our time and energy to contemplate how we, as big humans, treat our little humans.
As a teacher for thirty-seven years, I worked tirelessly to make sure that what happened in my classroom was as positive of an experience as possible. Of course there were moments when I had to use my grumpy or loud voice and times when I had to reprimand a child, yet there were limits to my allowed choices of words or actions as I interacted with these little humans each day – limits that are not required at home.
Of course all adults are limited by law and good conscience to NEVER physically abuse children, but outside of severe neglect or abuse, parents can interact with their little humans with a wide range of flexibility. So, as my students entered the classroom, there were times I wondered how their morning had started or last night’s evening had ended.
What would your morning look like if you were greeted with some of these commands barked at you?
“Get out of bed, NOW, you little turd.”
“You’re tired because you were stupid and didn’t go to bed when I told you.”
“You’re NOT wearing that, you’ll look like an idiot.”
“NO, you can’t eat that. NO, you can’t do that. NO, you can’t ______ . NO, NO, NO!”
“You’re not sick. You’re not hungry. You’re not hurt. You’re not scared. You’re not _____ .”
What if your evening was filled with orders or name calling?
“Get out of here, you weirdo.”
“Go outside so I can have some peace and quiet you little sh*t.”
“I can’t play with you, I’m busy (with my phone or video game)!”
“Hurry up, slowpoke.”
“You are SO lazy!”
What if your ears were filled with idle threats adults may never intend to carry out but say to children?
“Get out of here before I rip your head off.”
“Don’t touch that or I’ll cut your fingers off.”
“I’m gonna kick your @#$ if you do that again.”
“Stop that or I’ll beat you to a pulp.”
“Shut your mouth or I’ll wring your neck.”
There are times when you don’t talk directly to them, but about them to others. What you overheard these things:
“My little brats drive me crazy.”
“I can’t go anywhere without being followed by that clingy loudmouth.”
“My kids are little devils.”
How would it feel to be punished for repeating the swear words . . . .
— Part 1 – To help big humans consider what life would look like to have certain things said to you on a daily basis . . . . . come back in September for part 2.
Submitted By Theresa Olesen
