Raising Children – Page 9 – Inside The Mind of a Psychiatrist

Jason, a smiley, playful, 6-year-old boy recently had an appointment with his pediatrician.

“The doctor had to give me two needles,” he said.

“Wow. Did they hurt?”

“Yes!”

“Did you cry?”

“Of course I cried!” he said, looking like the question was beyond silly, that crying was what any normal person would do.

“How about your sister? Did she get a needle?”

“Yes. And she cried too! Really loud!”

Then Jason put on his father’s huge sweatshirt that went down to his knees. “This really looks good,” he said. “I love it.”

Creativity and spontaneity are so often crushed by “mature” adults who are so sure they know what’s right and what’s wrong. They know all about religion, sexuality, and who we should and who we should not hate. They know how we should feel and how a man should act and how a woman should act.

It’s so impressive that we are surrounded by know-it-alls. It’s also very impressive that many of the people we have elected to run our government are so sure that they are right, that they are willing to make all of us suffer to make their point.

Dr. Art Smukler is the award-winning writer of Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, Skin Dance, a mystery, and The Man with a Microphone in his Ear. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.

I’ve voted for both Republicans and Democrats. It’s safe to say that my mind is steeped in bipartisanship. But now, without a doubt, I am horrified by the immaturity of the Republican Party, by the twisted baby thinking of men and women who never grew up.

Whether you like or dislike Obamacare, it is a law that was passed by congress and authorized by the Supreme Court. Because Republicans don’t like the law, they are having a public temper tantrum. It reminds me of a toddler who is told that it’s his bedtime and he screams and screams because that’s not what he wants to do.

So much of what children believe is based on fantasy and a sense that “I want what I want when I want it.” It is grandiose and destructive and often places the child in danger.

Watching these babies pretend they are adults is a lesson in how we shouldn’t behave. It is a lesson that every teacher, in every social studies and political science class, should stop everything and focus on.

It is an opportunity to teach future politicos about how not to govern; so our country can be led and kept safe by rational adults.

It only takes one or two brave men or women to stand up to the toddlers. Lead your party out of this immature, dangerous chaos and both republicans and democrats will reward you with their votes.

If you enjoy being Inside the Mind of a Psychiatrist, you might also enjoy, Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, Skin Dance, a mystery, and The Man with a Microphone in his Ear. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.