The new job - ups and downs

My new job is that of teacher aide in a continuation school. This school is the last stop for young people who have done something bad enough to be kicked out of high school, but because we can't completely expell them, they come to us. Lucky them, lucky us. They can be here for a variety of reasons, theft, drugs (usually this is the case), truancy, or fighting.

What I've realized is that the kids that we have come from dysfunction, therefore they are merely continuing this cycle. Their parents may be drug users, alcoholics, or just incapable of parenting due to disinterest, inability, or pursuing their own demons. We have kids coming to school that are extremely unclean - clothes and bodies. They come to school hungry. The language that comes out of their mouth, and the things they say are clearly said at home. You have to learn it somewhere right? Amazingly though - they all have x-boxes, ps3s, hbo, etc. My hubby and I both work and we can't afford those things - or perhaps we choose to spend our money on more important things. Like food, soap, and laundry detergent. I know, we are crazy like that.

I look at Mac and I can't imagine ever allowing her to get to the point of these kids. What happens? They were babies too once. Didn't anybody wish the best for them? We kiss and snuggle Mac constantly. We know when her punk self needs a bath, or when its time to change the pants. I can't ever imagine not being close enough to her to not know when she needs to be bathed, or her clothes need to be washed. I know what she eats during the day. I know its quality food and I know how much of it she has. She is safe and warm every day. She may never have an iphone, or an x-box, but she will be loved, and guided through life.

It's so sad to think that these kids never had that. Being at this job has shown me how important parenting is. Of course I knew that before, but now I have the examples smelling up my space, or cursing at me everyday. Perhaps all parents of young children should come and spend some time in this land of last chances.