Quote:
Originally posted by ZOANAS
That's good. It really is strange these days, as one of the few remaining "traditional" nuclear families, our home seems to be a magnet for many of our kids' friends, and they all come and go at any time. We've always loved that, but it can be an issue if you sense you are being used. I know that the stability of our home is a good thing, especially for our own kids, but it even has an affect on their friends, so we took it as a positive if a kid seemed to hang around our place a lot. We felt like they were at least being exposed to how things should be, even if it wasn't coming from their parents.
I think the best advice cam from others above; talk to the parents, maybe they're struggling financially or otherwise, and just can't bring themselves to ask for help. Maybe they are just lousy parents and they really are taking advantage of you. No matter what the circumstances, you seem to be providing something positive in that little boy's life, and it would be a shame for it to all disappear for him. He certainly wouldn't understand.
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Thanks for posting that. The perspective you offer is priceless.
We really believe it is just a lack of awareness/consideration. My wife and I have talked about it. We'd actually feel totally different about it if his parents were to do stuff like call and say "...maybe so-and-so should come home for dinner now. Please send him home." I can see us being more than happy to respond with, "Let him stay and eat. The kids are having fun..."
Yes, totally a different feeling if you think you are just there as a convenience for someone else. As I said, my son and this kid get along well, and I love seeing that for both of them.