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Heart Brooking

Tuesday, March 20, 2007


It Brook My Heart


"Amani" came to school today in an even more belligerent mood than normal. I asked what was wrong and she said that it was all my fault, I just hate her and there's nothing she can do right. I'm out to get her.

OK. Deep breath. "Amani, what's really the matter?"

"You never listen to me, you hate me, you like everyone else better than me."

One more time. "Sweetheart, what's bothering you?"

She comes back with a note: "My mom told me that most of the time she don't even wanna be here with me and it brook my heart."

It brook my heart too. Her mom's overwhelmed, she's taking it out on her, but Amani doesn't know that. She idolizes her mom. She doesn't know how hard it is to be a single mom and how her mom's reacting (badly) to stress. And there's nothing I can say to make it better. No wonder she acts crazy. Negative attention is better than none.
Two years ago: Words of Wisdom

Three years ago: Pay Raises?  Nope.
                          Um, Who's Teaching Our Teachers?

Four years ago: Beware the Ides of March
                        It Brook my Heart

Five years ago: What Time is it, Anyway?
                        Bits and Pieces
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