Tag Archives: violence

Clarification on Asperger’s Syndrome and Violence

By now, we have all heard the tragic news about the shooting that took place in an elementary school in Connecticut. Some say the shooter had Asperger’s Syndrome. Experts point out that there is no evidence of a link between violence like what happened and the existence of Asperger’s syndrome. A tragedy has occurred in Newtown, Connecticut. I do not have the words to express the grief and pain that the parents of the children who were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut must be feeling. Lacking that, I will instead quote part of what President Obama … Continue reading →

The Desensitization of Children

My son came home with tragic news yesterday. A 7th grade teacher at his middle school didn’t report in and when relatives were sent to his house, he was discovered on the floor dead. So far we don’t know the cause of his death. He was only in his 40’s but if I were to guess I would bet it was a heart attack. I don’t know the teacher and my son is only in 6th grade so he didn’t know him either. But it really shook me up. First, the fact that the man was only in his 40’s … Continue reading →

When Trust Is Broken

What about when trust is broken or betrayed? Can trust be re-ignited? These were questions that came out of one of the comments on one of my recent blogs. Now I can’t answer that question because, thankfully, I have never been in that position. I can think there might be things I would not forgive and would find hard to trust again, but I don’t really know. The reality is none of us can really answer that question. We often think or say what we would or wouldn’t do in a certain situation, but when we are placed in the … Continue reading →

Would You Let Your Preschooler Watch Violent Television?

A couple of weeks ago, we went downtown to see the Chinese New Year parade. It was great fun, especially since this year it was not sleeting. After the parade, we picked up some steamed buns, ate some chocolate lucky money, and perused some of the stores. I got my daughter a backpack for kindergarten this fall. It’s covered with anime nature characters and little smiley faces. As we took the bus home we examined the backpack and discovered that one of the little smiling cartoon characters was carrying a gun. Discussion ensued, and we decided that taking a picture … Continue reading →

A Violent End to a Marriage

When I read news stories like the one this morning it really makes me saddened about the state of our world and society. I was horrified to read the news story this morning of a husband who killed his 30 year old wife. Using his own gun Scott Hain killed his wife Melanie, while she was on a video call talking to a male friend. The husband later killed himself. The horrific incident raises lots of questions. What goes through the heads of some people and how far have selfish obsessions taken over that a man would kill his wife? … Continue reading →

Do You Want to Know What God Hates?

Do you want to know what God hates? The bible tells us. Here are some things mentioned. God hates: Unjust scales Proverbs 11: 1, 20:23. God doesn’t want to see people cheated. That’s good for us to remember at tax time and in our dealings with others. I think it also applies not just financially but to cheating others in what we give to a relationship. Boasting and those who do iniquity, lies and deceit, violence and bloodshed, Psalm 5:5-6. Divorce, Malachi 2:16. Notice, God does not say he hates the divorced person but divorce. Life long marriage of one … Continue reading →

Is it Okay for a Parent to Encourage Kids to Hit?

Earlier today, I wrote a blog about how many of us might be concerned that our children are violent and mean because of their behaviors. After I posted this article, I read a few more about bullying that we have here on the Families.com site and I was surprised at what I found—there were a few where parents actually recommended encouraging their child to hit other kids, retaliate and strike back physically when bullied. I thought this could be an interesting conversation. In this day and age, is it really okay and reasonable for parents to encourage their children to … Continue reading →

Is My Child Really Mean?

Biting, scratching, hair-pulling and general tantrums and tussles—what parent does not wonder if this is typical preschool behavior or if their child really is mean or a bully? It can be overwhelmingly upsetting when these aggressive behaviors appear and a parent has every right to worry about whether it is behaviors that will be outgrown, or whether the child really does have a mean streak. As parents, we know that aggression and violence are not to be tolerated. It can be surprising when a toddler or preschool starts using these aggressive behaviors in the home, day care or school situation. … Continue reading →

Toddlers and Hair-Pulling

With toddlers and preschoolers, there can be all sorts of sudden physical behaviors that cause grief—biting, hitting, and slapping can go hand-in-hand with temper tantrums. Hair-pulling is another one of those physical, lashing-out behaviors that can be tough to control and stop with the preschool set. There is a difference between the curious and absent-minded hair pulling that a baby does—wrapping his fingers in someone’s hair and giving it a tug—and the purposeful gripping and yanking that an angry toddler or preschooler can do. As a parent, we might find it tough to stop that impulsive behavior and not only … Continue reading →

The Problem with Pinching

Many of us have known children (quite possibly our own) who have a temporary problem with biting as frustrated toddlers, but pinching can also be a problem that parents have a hard time figuring out how to curb. A sign or aggression, pinching can pop up unexpectedly and is more common to younger children—toddlers and preschool age, but can be found in early elementary-aged kids as well. What can you do as a parent to put an end to pinching behaviors? Whether your child is pinching as a means of retaliation or is the one using pinching as aggressive behavior … Continue reading →