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speaking of parenting,; some people really shouldn't
Topic Started: Aug 10 2007, 02:00 PM (190 Views)
sue
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HOLY CARP!!!
I had a very upsetting situation last night as I was closing the library. I booted this 9-10 year old out, and was shutting down the lights when he came back, knocking on the door, looking panicked. He said he needed to use the phone because the ride he was expecting wasn't there. so I let him in, and he got more flustered and asked for the phone book. He kept going to the door looking out, and getting more and more upset. When I asked if he found the number he wanted, he said he couldn't read. His mum's boyfriend was supposed to pick him up, but he only knew the first name. he didn't know his own number, and has such a pronounced speech impediment that I couldn't make out his last name when I asked.

this kid has been in the library many times, and we've done some discreet questioning with the local school about his situation. (Unfortunately, I didn't remember his last name) They certainly shared our concern, said that social services has a file on him.

Anyways, I was about to take him up to the RCMP station, because I just didn't know where else to take him, and wasn't going to leave him wandering the streets. Luckily, a neighbour of his just happened by then and took him home.

The more I thought about it last night, the more angry I got. If you're too pathetic a parent to try and help your kid learn to read, or get some help with his speech, and just let him fend for himself for hours at a time, then for ****'s sake, at the very least pin a note in his pocket with his name and phone number.
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RosemaryTwo
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HOLY CARP!!!
How tragic.

His best hope for a future is the kindness of strangers.

Like his neighbor. Like you, Sue.
"Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua
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The 89th Key
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Indeed - I agree with R2...sorry to hear about the situation, but I'm glad he ran into you.
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Frank_W
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Resident Misanthrope
:sad: :no: That poor child... Good job, Sue. :hug:
Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin."
Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!"
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
How sad. It's a shame some people have such little capacity for caring. :(

(I meant the parents of course. He was lucky he had your help.)
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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Red Rice
HOLY CARP!!!
Very sad and frightening. Poor kid. :(
Civilisation, I vaguely realized then - and subsequent observation has confirmed the view - could not progress that way. It must have a greater guiding principle to survive. To treat it as a carcase off which each man tears as much as he can for himself, is to stand convicted a brute, fit for nothing better than a jungle existence, which is a death-struggle, leading nowhither. I did not believe that was the human destiny, for Man individually was sane and reasonable, only collectively a fool.

I hope the gunner of that Hun two-seater shot him clean, bullet to heart, and that his plane, on fire, fell like a meteor through the sky he loved. Since he had to end, I hope he ended so. But, oh, the waste! The loss!

- Cecil Lewis
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sue
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HOLY CARP!!!
RosemaryTwo
Aug 10 2007, 03:02 PM
His best hope for a future is the kindness of strangers.


That's so true isn't it. Kids like this that I've encountered develop some good street skills. I guess they learn pretty early on what kind of person to turn to for help. :huh:
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RosemaryTwo
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HOLY CARP!!!
Yes, and to teachers like Dol, I have to imagine.
"Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua
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Rainman
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Fulla-Carp
No matter how much money and effort is pumped into public education, the common denominator of failure is not discussed: lousy parents.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Sue, your act was a mitzvah. I'm not Jewish but I really love that concept. Good job.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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