Tears & Laughter: Even in frustrating times, be good to your kids

What day of the shutdown are we on now? I am losing track.

As it turns out, I do not like Plexiglas shields or clear sheets of plastic between me and whoever I am paying.

I miss the way things used to be, and I’m a borderline hermit. I was already distant. My life, and the daily lives of many, have not changed much. My schedule remains the same. I was already at home every day and my husband is an essential employee. But I am heartbroken for all the jobs that have been lost or changed by closing everything. I fear what all will never return.

And I understand it is a matter of protection. I see the constant, endless, nonstop coverage. I get that we are all fighting the spread of coronavirus by staying away from one another. I don’t like it, but I comprehend why we are doing it.

I even watch the daily White House briefings. I am not quite ready to sign that petition to name Dr. Anthony Fauci People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” yet…but I watch.

Everyone can understand to some extent why Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia are beginning to see its citizens protest. In Michigan, the protest is more in response to the governor’s making it okay to buy weed – but not seeds – than the shutdown itself.  

We are free people. There is a Bill of Rights. We are tax papers. Voters. We really don’t have to listen to lectures. Simplified, I am not sure who has say so over who. But there is pressure building in the country fueled by frustration. People feel handcuffed and justified.  They see prisoners being released to avoid the spread of Covid-19…and they know the likelihood of jails being refilled with protesters and petty rule breakers is slim.

It is the natural nature of people to want to take care of their families and livelihoods. Preventing them from being able to do that is not going to bring about peace. Soon officials could be forced to decide which is worse, Covid-19 or organized civil upset and unrest. Especially among people with the time to just sit around and brew.

From an adjoining room yesterday I heard a blaring TV say, “We need to open our schools because schools are the best way for us to keep children fed and safe.”

I hope that is not true. Schools need to reopen, but schools should be in the business of educating more so than caretaking.

There is concern that during the shutdown that even though reports of child abuse are down that child abuse itself is likely up, as is domestic violence. And I cannot argue that it is not. But if your child is better off at school than with you as their parent, then you have failed as a parent.

Food is one thing, and I pray there is enough for everybody. But if you mistreat your child, there is not much to you. You are one of the weak among us. Go ahead and lower your expectations of them, because of who you are – no matter how great you may think you are.

If you hurt or violate a child, you are already sicker than any virus could ever make you. And eventually, that child will grow up and be able to look at you eye to eye. It is difficult to explain to a grown person why you abused them when they were young. It is not anything anybody ever really forgives or forgets. Years can pass without it being mentioned, but you can rest assured it is still there. It is what haunts. And the silence will only get louder the closer to the grave you get. So be good to your kids. They will either thank you for it, or remind you of it…one day.

Amanda Walker is a contributor with AL.com, The Selma Times Journal, Thomasville Times, West Alabama Watchman, and Alabama Gazette. Contact her at Walkerworld77@msn.com or at https://www.facebook.com/AmandaWalker.Columnist.