About three years ago, I had a student in playcamp named Isaiah*. He was a handsome boy of three, very smart and obviously the apple of the eye of his parents.
His parents were absolutely wonderful. His father was a pastor in their church and his mother was the choir master. They were very kind, obviously very smart, and very good-looking. However, they did not need to volunteer the information that Isaiah is a menopause baby.
Coming late to his parents’ lives, Isaiah was one of the biggest brats I’ve ever laid my eyes on. He has absolute power over his parents. His words are law and his orders were obeyed without question. We understood that Isaiah’s parents love their son unconditionally, but when he started to throw tantrums in school, we had to impose standard discipline.
Isaiah was shocked the first time he received no for an answer. It must probably be something he wasn’t used to, so, he started screaming. His mother tried to clam him down but Isaiah was disconsolate. So, she sat beside him until he kept quiet which took the entire session.
Before they left, Isaiah’s mother apologized for her son’s misbehavior. She gave us the excuse that Isaiah is an only child so, they unintentionally spoiled him and now they don’t know how to handle it. Then she told us how that weekend, Isaiah picked up a piece of stone and threw at some kids who were playing at the park and hit someone in the head. They had to take the child to the hospital and they paid for the hospital bills including the stitches and medicine.
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t need to. Apparently, these parents know what to do, but chose no to do it.. :(
*not real name
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