Where's the Respect?

I am not sure if it's a Midwest thing or just a sign of our current times.....

My stepson Teddy is a sensitive soul. Certain things just hurt him. I don't want to be TOO protective of him but I don't like seeing his little heart broken.

He had a friend, we'll call him C. C has a troubled background. His mom has five kids and I don't think even one of them shares a father. He came over to our house quite a bit and we were happy to have him. Until one day he flipped Teddy off.

In previous blogs I've said how I felt about a kid flipping people off. I called his mother and C swore he didn't but he did apologize. Things went okay after that.

I friended C on my facebook so Teddy and him could talk that way. I post hundreds of pictures on my facebook of all my kids (and pets, and flowers, and artwork....well you get the idea).

C commented on a picture of Teddy that "you look gay."

Now I don't think being called "gay" is an insult by any means. But I have family and friends who look at that picture and I didn't want it to be taken the wrong way and quite frankly, in type it looked mean-spirited. I removed the comment and sent C a message saying how many people looked at MY pictures and I would appreciate it if he could be respectful and if he couldn't post anything nice about my kids to please not post anything at all.

He responded by sending me a note saying "shut up."

I don't know why but seeing "shut up" sent to me by a 10 year-old was like being slapped in the face. He is now removed from my friend's list and if I knew his mom's new number I'd be on the phone with her right now. I may be overreacting but never in my LIFE would I have disrespected ANY adult by telling them shut up!

Unfortunately that just proves what kind of bringing up this poor boy has. I am becoming extremely concerned with some of the kids my children are becoming friends with. Is this a small school thing? Is it a midwest thing? It makes me want to take all my kids and run to a different state. Some of these kids have problems I just can't handle. Like the little girl who attempted to run away.

I don't think C will be allowed in my house anymore. Sorry, C.