As a child we truly believe that everyone we meet means us well. We know that children can be naïve and even after being hurt will return to the same person that hurt them and eventually, the hurt will sting to the point that we finally get it. It may be at that moment or years to come when we see the mental, emotional or physical toxicity from that person. It is sad to believe that children aren’t always protected but it’s also sad to know there are people in the world that choose to hurt others and some very well may not even know their level of toxicity towards others. I think about this even more now having Kellen Jr. and sometimes question if a parent can ever protect their child too much or is there ever enough protection? I’m not simply talking about protection from objects but the protection from people who don’t mean your child well-being. As a parent, we’re responsible for guiding and raising our children to be the best they can be in every area of their lives. Will children stray? Possibly! Can we be there for every caution sign ahead of them? Possibly! Life is definitely a box of chocolates.
As I’ve grown, I have learned and had to reflect on people’s actions and realize their toxic behavior towards me has been there for years. When I think about their behavior when I was a child and throughout the years, it slowly occurred to me that this person means me no good, whether they realize it or not and for reasons that are beyond my concern. As a child there were treatments that were overlooked but I still remember the incidents. Now as an adult I see their interaction at events, on social media and even through groups. At the end of the day, I have to choose to distance myself from this person and realize the warning signs have been there for over 30 years but when you’re confused as a child and in the naïve state that this person should love you and not want to harm you then you sort of bypass a lot of things. I must say, there is something to be said about a person who practices great discernment. There is also something to be said about a person who chooses dislike over love and that is ‘hurt people, hurt people.’ When we realize this, we learn that every action doesn’t require a reaction; prayer is the answer and there’s no harm in avoiding toxic people and their behavior at all costs.
Children are pretty good judgment of character and even when they can’t speak for themselves their actions will tell you if a situation or person’s spirit is inviting for them. I’m learning to practice this behavior and exit left from situations and people’s spirits that don’t align to mine. Lord knows if I don’t want their spirits around me, I definitely don’t want my child or family to be around them or even know them. Don’t believe when others tell you you’re taking your parenting job too serious. The world we live in now we can never be too serious at protecting our children. We need them and they need us more than anything. Whether it’s a family member, friend, teacher or whomever – protect your child at all costs. Their well-being and their lives very well depend on it.