Dear Blake,
My husband I have a 3-year-old boy and 1-year-old girl. The 3-year-old is high-need but generally pretty good-natured (although quite stubborn sometimes) and shares well with other children. The 1-year-old is a pretty easy baby, good-natured, and adores her brother. They sleep with us. The older one is very mean to his little sister. I know this stuff is supposed to be “normal but it is quite distressing. We have never hit him, and we say “we don’t hit in this house”, give him quiet time alone and so on, but it doesn’t seem to make any impression. I always bring one of them to the bathroom with me because I can’t leave them alone for a second. Any suggestions? I’m going nuts!
Signed, Gayle
From Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Dear Gayle,
Taking care of two children that young can often be extremely challenging and trying. But your son has really upped the ante, because every study that I have read on child psychology suggests that he has the potential of being a modern day Jack the Ripper. You are doing the right thing by not letting him be alone with your younger daughter. And for the sake of the rest of your family, keep him away from knives, power tools, or any tasteless chemicals that can inconspicuously mixed in any family members food. I’m sure your husband will protect his little girl from any and all harm. But, considering your son’s intense hatred toward women, why are you letting him sleep in your bed? Unless… this is part of your spouse’s elaborate plan to be rid of you. Plus he could legitimately tell the cops that your son has mental health issues, knowing that your murderous son is obviously too young to go to jail. The best suggestion I have for you is, as soon as your daughter starts to walk, you two should take a course on how to use a firearm, and the proper way to apply maximum impact groin kicks before running for your lives. I hope this helps.
Blake