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HARMFUL HABITS



      “Dustin, I said no.” Dustin looked at the toy that he held in his hand, grumbling over his father's decision to not purchase it, and then threw the toy on the ground in defiance. Immediately his father administered due justice by popping him on his rear. Though only five years of age, Dustin howled in humiliation. “Dustin, you need to learn to not throw fits like that. I love you but...” “Excuse me sir!” Dustin's dad looked over the next aisle of the store and saw a short, chubby woman glaring at him. “Yes?” She put her hands on her hips in disgust and bellowed, “How dare you hit that poor defenseless kid! You should be ashamed hurting him like that. That's no way to be a good parent!” The woman then muttered a few more words at the father of which are not appropriate to write. With a stern look and a sincere tone, Dustin's father said, “Ma'am. I appreciate your care over my sons well-fare, but I can assure you that I am not abusing him. This 'harsh punishment', as you see it, only lasts for a moment but his bad attitude will remain a lifetime, if nothing is done.” Holding her head up higher the woman retorted, “No child should be hurt for being a kid!” “A kid? Lady, my son will one day be an adult like you and me.” 
       The women then slyly smirked and said, “Well, let's just hope he doesn't grow up to be like his father. Hmmpfh!” Dustin's dad stood over his cart full of groceries in amazement over what he had just heard. He then calmly replied, “Do you have kids, ma'am?” “Yes, yes I do! I have a boy who is 15 and a girl who is 7.” His father continued, “And do you care for your kids?” In anger she yelled, “Why yes I love my kids! What kind of a mother do you think I am! I would never harm them!” “Ma'am, let me make a simple point. I am sorry that I got you upset. I just want to ask a few more questions. Do you smoke?” “What? Why would you ask me this? Well, yes I smoke what's the big deal! It's a free country.” Dustin looked down at the ground wondering when he was going to be free from this adult spat but his dad continued the conversation. “How often and do you ever at home?” 
       “What's it your business? I get stressed easy so I smoke a pack a day! Dealing with a 15 year old is tough and yeah I smoke a little at home, but normally at work. Why?” With exasperation Dustin's father questioned, “How is it that you are so easily mad at me over disciplining my son, because you claim that I am 'harming' him in which he has clearly conveyed rebellion and yet you do not even think about the real harm you are causing your kids, yourself, and others every time you light a cigarette? It is proven that cigarette smoke is very harmful whether 1st hand, 2nd hand, or even 3rd hand. Think about it. I discipline my son to teach him to be respectful and to strive to do good. I do this not out of a desire to hurt him, I would give my life for him, but I discipline him because I love my son enough to get him to learn the importance of obedience and doing what is right. 
       The sting from his rear will soon go away and the only lingering pain he may have would be his broken pride and selfishness. However, you have just told me that you are selfishly harming your children in another way. They may not ever feel pain on their rears from being disciplined, but they may one day be affected by you through contracting cancer, or worse, by following in their mother's example and grow up selfishly smoking around their precious kids.” Without a word, the woman slapped Dustin's father, walked outside the store, and started smoking.


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