Bullying, Life & Stuff with Rhonda Orr

Sometimes, well-meaning people get caught up in details and lose sight of the real problems they’re trying to address. This week, we heard from a woman who is unhappy that some parents she knows are battling to prove that their child’s situation is worse than the other. But all that’s doing is causing both parents to act like bullies. She wants them to recognize that they’re making things worse.

Some people work hard to provide for their families. And then some just work hard. Too hard. Too much. It’s not to provide for their family. They may say that, but it’s really not the case. This week, we heard from a woman whose husband is a workaholic. He doesn’t have time to be a husband…or a dad. She’s wondering what she can do to change things.

Have you noticed how angry people are these days? Every little thing sets them off. Road rage is common. And we no longer get along with the cashier at the store, or the teller at the bank. What’s going on here? And how do we change it back? That’s what the woman who wrote to us this week wants to know.

When you’re a parent, you might think everything your child does is special. But there are limits. When a child embraces mediocrity and doesn’t really try, how should the parent react? That’s the question from a concerned mother this week. Her husband says she expects too much from their six-year-old. But she’s not sure it’s a good idea to reward laziness.

Remember when people were polite? It’s been a while, but I can. They acted with civility because they were taught to be civil. And it was expected. Now manners are a forgotten relic. And that is a shame. Everyone benefits when we’re kind to each other. It doesn’t take any extra time, but it pays off. This week’s letter from a teacher who has tried to instill these values in her students, but parents don’t seem to care.