Bullying of the Very Most Difficult Kind

Children.
They evoke in us such strong feelings.

Acceptance
Affection
Anger
Annoyance
Anxiety
Awe
Compassion
Confusion
Contempt
Curiosity
Depression
Disgust
Disappointment
Doubt
Ecstasy
Empathy
Envy
Embarrassment
Euphoria
Fear
Frustration
Gratitude
Grief
Guilt
Happiness
Hope
Horror
Hostility
Hysteria
Interest
Jealousy
Pity
Pride
Rage
Regret
Remorse
Revenge
Sadness
Shame
Suffering
Surprise
Wonder
Worry

I've only just begun. Most of us realize when we sign up for parenthood that we're signing up for quite the roller coaster of emotion. There are some days when we're strong and some when we're not. There are times when we shine as parents and times when we're shamed. It's all expected.

What's not expected is this: (don't click if you're very sensitive) http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11267971

Our first inclination is to condemn the offender as being worse than the devil. Yes, these are people who commit despicable offenses. It's sickening, nauseating and the act is unforgivable but are ALL offenders worthy of these labels?

"We" are partly to blame, I believe, as a society. Mom/Dad have a baby then are shown posters declaring not to ever shake a baby, a video about successful diaper changes and nursing and if they're still breathing, sent out the door and left to fend for themselves. Some are young and ill equipped and some are ill equipped.

Mom is raging with hormones and emotions and, if Dad is present, can be confused and confounded by the changes in his life. Add drugs and/or alcohol to the mix and the results can be devastating. Then, there's post-partum depression...

Do you know a new mother? Have you known a new mother? Do you actively watch for signs that there may be problems? (Even someone who desperately wanted a child can be stricken with feelings/emotions that come totally unexpectedly.)

Does your community vote for mental health levies? Do you help to obtain those votes? Do you talk about the levies? Do you promote them?

I vote for the levies and sometimes discuss them in groups. I'm going to be more active from now on and I'm going to start looking in on new moms with regularity. I don't know of anyone who doesn't appreciate help after a birth.

Maybe one visit could make a difference-of life-of death-of horrible injury and who knows? Maybe I can hold the baby!