Love?

It was stated by an anonymous reader that I am not showing the girls I work with unconditional love. I am somewhat offended by this statement. My days often approach 15 hrs long and every moment Im awake is spent tending to their every spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and mental needs. It is tireless work. When it comes down to it, I am parenting kids whose parents have messed up so badly the STATE has removed them from their home. Many of these kids are use to being the boss or being hurt by their caretakers, so it is the responsability of the direct care staff to work with each resident to provide them with the necessary skills for life. This includes a healthy self image, basic life skills such as hygiene and healthy eating, as well as stress coping skills, obedience to authority, etc etc. Sometimes this means saying no and saying no again until the kid is kicking and screaming. Is it hard? You bet. But for these kids, one budge is a sign that they can manipulate the situation to get what they want out of it. Is giving them that love? no.

Or is it love for me to let them continue throwing around the word "love" with no understanding of what it means to give or recieve love? Do kids need to hear that they are worthy of love? Definitely. They recieve comfort and encouragement and hugs and they are told that they are loved and valuable no matter what, but we are teaching them proper life skills and how to live healthy lives and love correctly in return.

I am unconditionally committed to the well-being and value of each girl, no matter what. There is nothing that they can do to change my care for them.

Love, without writing you an op-ex definition, isn't about giving another exactly what they want, but being fully committed to another, unconditionally, for their best interest.

-Asher.