Daddy Carlos
"Hi mom," you hear your 11 year old son Luis, come through the door from school. He doesn't sound too happy…
"Hi baby, how was school?" you call from your room. "Oh, I don't know mom, come see for yourself," your son calls from the living room. "Luis Pena, if that is sarcasm I hear, so help me-"you're cut off from shock when you see bruises on your son's face. He'd always say how he was being bullied, but it has never escalated into violence.
You rush to comfort Luis." Baby, are you okay?" you ask, tears welling up in your eyes. "I guess I am… please make them stop, mom," he cries into your shoulder.
Sure he's 11, but he has such an attachment to you and Carlos, he doesn't have to act like a "man" in front of the two of you. He always was, and always will be your little boy.
Out of nowhere, Carlos rushes in. "Luis, what happened? Is it those stupid boys again? I'm going to kill them this time, I swear…" he grumbles. "Carlos…" you warn him not to get violent. "They hurt my son, now I'm gonna hurt them," Carlos said, his eyes darkening with hate. "Carlos," you say again, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Here's what you do: don't be violent. If daddy says to hurt them back, don'tlisten. You have to be mature. Say "please stop, that's not nice". Whatever you do, don't get on their level. They're low. And if they ever hurt you again, we'll call their parents and sort things out. Just listen to me; pleasedon't get on their extremely low level. It's very immature," you tell him. "Now, go wash your face, and I'll get you some ice, okay, baby?" "Yes mom," he says and rushes up the stairs.
As soon as your son is out of sight, you turn to Carlos. "Carlos, you're giving a bad example! You can't just go around saying you're going to kill people! That can get you andLuis into big trouble," you tell him sternly. "I'm sorry mami… when our son is hurt, I feel hurt. He means too much to me, I can't help but say those things. I don't want to see him in pain because of some stupid kids…" Carlos explains. You smile. The love you and Carlos have for Luis is so strong, but you don't want Luis to get the impression that hurting people is okay.
"Papi, you're what they call an "over protective" dad…" you tell him, smiling.