My husband and I were just talking about this tonight. We are pretty realistic with who our kids are as people, but have realized a lot of parents aren’t. Our oldest has always been more of a follower. It’s something that scares us with her starting school this year. We had good reason, as she has gotten involved with a group of girls that have been bullying a 1st grade boy with developmental issues. We know she wasn’t the ring leader, but we also know that we need to do everything we can to not only reinforce that it was wrong, as she already knew, but also to empower her to step away from the group when she sees things that aren’t right.
I don’t think PF woke up September 1st and became a person capable of murder. There must have been a series of smaller things for years. I also wonder about whether KK is like my oldest- highly susceptible to other’s influence- or if she is like PF and has a dark side. Were there signs in childhood or adolescence? I realize both are adults and responsible for their own actions, but I do wonder about what can be done as parents to give kids everything they need to not make such poor decisions. MOO