CrazyinTX

Bad Mothers

My daughter and I were watching a special with Lisa Ling about "Girls Left Behind". It was about girls whose mothers had been arrested and were  serving time in federal prison.  One group of girls got to spend all day at the prison with their Moms because the Girl Scouts had set up an all day play/workshop.  The girl featured was a 9 year old girl who had to live with her 86 year old Great Grandmother due to the mother's incarceration. While they were doing arts and crafts the little girl just burst into tears.  Her Mom (the prisoner) was screaming at her, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU???"  Me and my daughter (S) were just sitting on the couch with our mouths open.  We couldn't believe this woman was yelling at her child (who she sees every 2 to 3 months). That poor little girl, I can only imagine how tormented that young girl is and she was overwhelmed and probably a little confused and that is why she started to cry.  I just wanted to hug her. The Mom had robbed a store. 

There were other girls featured but this is the little girl who touched my heart.  I wonder how some women just don't have a motherly instinct.  I have a niece who loves being pregnant but after her kids are born, she just doesn't want to be a mother. Needless to say, she is 21 and has 4 kids who are now all in foster care.  She wants to party and do drugs and not be a mother.  But my own mother had her first child at 15 and she always took care of us.  She made some bad choices in the men department but she never just left us when we were small and helpless.  I feel like a lot of women have an "inner strength" and when it comes to our kids, we have to be strong, be their voice, teach them to be compassionate, but tough at the same time.  It is a shame that more than 1/2 of these girls (and boys) who have parents in prison, will end up in jail at one time in their lives.  

I like to watch this kind of documentary. It didn't have any bad language and I feel it teaches "S" that not getting the "cool game", or whatever clothing she wants is not so bad. She has a Mom and Dad who love her and an annoying little brother to boot!  She has stability, that is the most important thing.  And lots and lots of love.  

Untitled Comment

6:26 PM, Mar. 27, 2007 .. Posted by davey327

That is so sad. I agree with everything you said. My hubby and I are the gaurdians of almost 4 yr. old twins who came from one of those women. She sounds alot like the girl you talked about, like her she had 4 children but didn't want to take of them, didn't want the responsibility. Like the girl you talked about she wanted to have boyfriends, and do drugs, and drink. I think she is doing better now as far as the partying goes but she still doesn't want the kids. She says she loves them but then goes for weeks, going on 7 this time, without seeing them. Last yr., we've had them for two, she went for 5 1/2 mos. w/out seeing them. How can a mother do that? I just don't understand.

I don't get it either

12:23 PM, Mar. 28, 2007 .. Posted by redsmom94

How a woman have a child then decide she doesn't want to be a mom. Or how once a woman has kids, abuses, neglects and endangers them. Fortunately, I think there are more of us moms who know that children are a gift, and at the same time know there is a HUGE responsibility that comes with the territory.