Salmon

We continue our series from the book, Parenting a Child's Perspective, written by Dr Jaslin Salmon. Watch for the themes in the series: Illness and death, siblings and parents and child relationship.

I TELL Mom and Dad I don't understand. And they explain. But I get more confused. They don't have to explain to Lorna because she understands. Lorna helps me a lot. When we go out, she tells me to watch her. Lorna says there are good strangers. And she says there are bad ones too. She says I will understand, as I get older. I wish I would get older today.

Grown-ups should understand that we are children. And it takes us a long time to learn some things. But we learn from them. And sometimes, they don't do the right thing either.

Sometimes, I disobey because I want to. It makes Mom and Dad mad. But I can't help them. They taught me not to do things just because someone says so. They say I should make up my own mind. I don't think grown-ups know how confusing they make things. Lorna says everybody makes mistakes. And she gets real mad when Mom and Dad make a big deal when she makes mistakes.

Demanding too much

If Mom and Dad would help us, we would make less mistakes. But they fuss at us too much. And that makes us more scared. And so we don't ask them about some things. And we don't tell them either. We want grown-ups to be kind to us. We are children. So they shouldn't demand too much of us. But sometimes they do.

Mom and Dad do help us to deal with some mistakes. They tell us what to do if we get separated at the mall. They teach me how to call home. And they taught me how to call 119. Lorna knew how already. I know how to call them at work. I don't know the numbers by heart. They are too long. But the numbers are on the fridge.

Mom and Dad tell us not to play with matches. Because if we do we can burn down the house. I forget sometimes, so Mom and Dad put the matches where I can't reach them.

Next week: My parents had a big fight.

Dr Jaslin Salmon is a professor of sociology and is also trained in counselling and psychotherapy. He is currently president/CEO of the International Institute for Social, Political and Economic Change in Kingston Jamaica (www.iispec.org). The book can be purchased at Sangster's Book Stores, Kingston Bookshop, amazon.com and Trafford.com/07-1449.