I was bothered more than usual about the disturbing video of Karen Huff Klein, 68 of Greece, NY who was taunted, teased and totally disrespected by middled aged students on a school bus that she was a monitor on. I had my daughters look at the video and saw how their faces change as they heard children their age talk to a woman with such disrespect and be callous and say some of the most awful things you could say to a person. I also told them that I don’t ever want to hear that they treated another person this way, ever. Of course they said they wouldn’t and I believe them. How do I know? I have compassionate girls that are very, very sensitive, plus my girls would have to face the wrath of both my husband and I. Trust me, I know kids will be kids, but they know not to try us on anything like that. We don’t play when it comes to disrespecting people. I don’t have all the answers but I believe this starts from home with bullying. Teasing has been around forever. I remember some mean girls and bullies when I was growing up, one girl in particular who was extremely mean. She had a following, and they were mean and didn’t’ care who they teased or started fights with.
Photo credit USA Today
With today’s technology, social media and everything our children have, it gives them too many resources to display their bad behavior. They think it’s okay to display it like they do, partly because what they see on TV and at home. I’ve seen girls fighting, gang fights, kids assaulting innocent people on YouTube and Facebook. They knew exactly what they were doing, and unfortunately, Karen Klein was subject to that harassment and verbal abuse. I don’t know what the punishment should be, but they should be punished. There has to be some accountability and punishment for the children. The parents must be held accountable too, what if that woman was so upset that she became ill to the point that she had to be hospitalized? The school district should review their policies and ban these children from riding the bus. Make their parents responsible for getting their children back and forth to school.
My mother was a school bus monitor in Kansas City for many years, it’s the perfect job for seniors. I’m gonna tell you something….this story would have had a different ending if this happened to my momma. Seriously, she didn’t play, especially with children. Two things, she would have called my daddy, he would call us and we would have been at that bus, I kid you not. I’m the one with the cooler head, and it’s not that cool so you can imagine what my brother would have done. I would have called the bus company and told them we were on our way to the bus and they need to get there because it was about to be some crazy mess going on. That may not be the solution to the problem, but I know my momma. She probably would have said something to the bus driver and hopefully they would have stopped the madness. Who knows. We must make our children accountable for their actions. I do, what about you?? This is the part of getting older that I don’t look forward to, she is only 18 years older than me.
Kids these days are so disrespectful, parents I think are trying to be friends with their kids and not being a parent. My mom use to tell me you already got enough friends I am not your friend and she never was. It’s sad and with social media it will most likely get worse. BTW I love your blog the colors are very nice.
Thank you so much for visiting, appreciate it. I love yours too, found your through Latorsha. I agree with you about being their friends, I used to hear co-workers say it all the time. I’ve even told my friends, I’m not your friend, I’m momma and don’t forget it. They think I’m strick, but that’s ok.
{Melinda} You are so right. Kids aren’t held responsible for their behavior because their parents often act the same way! Holding them accountable means they have to face their own behavior. And when the schools try to hold them accountable, the parents often cry foul or even sue the school!
I don’t know what the answer is, other than the further we move away from God as a country, the worse things get!
Visiting from SITS!
I still can’t wrap my head or imagination around treating someone like that! You are right about that, we must have God first in our lives! Thanks for stopping by, appreciate it and will visit your blog!
You’re absolutely right!
We were taught to respect our elders. This is a reflection of society and how our core values have shifted.
Will be sure to follow from now on fam.
Love you,
Dee
Dee my cousin from Omaha? Oh thanks cuz, appreciate it so much!!! Love you too girl!
I found the video disturbing as well. Obviously the parents have fallen down on the job and not taught their children respect for others, especially their elders. I can’t imagine how that poor bus monitor felt. So sad a situation. I just stopped by from SITS to say hello; hope you find time to do the same.
Thanks for stopping by, I found your blog about a week ago and love it! I’ve been wanting to connect with bloggers like me, appreciate the visit!