Other signs of neglect:

Malnourished, often hungry
Hangs around people and places for long periods of time with no check-in with parents
Wandering around with no plans or purpose
Being outside at odd times
Seen walking long distances because of no transportation by adult
Older children constantly seen "parenting" younger children
Rarely see the parent(s) but always see the child
Child finds close friend with stable home life to hang around with excessively
Child appears too serious for age

I can still remember how humiliating life was for me in the seventh grade. I had one pair of pants, white with green and orange stripes. I had a pair of mismatched shoes, one a size six that was too small, and one a size ten that nearly made me trip when I walked. I did not own a toothbrush or a hair comb. My hair was greasy and disheveled. My mother would not allow me to take a bath. Dirt was caked on my neck and face. No one would talk to me because I was the weird kid with the weird clothes who smelled bad. When I sat down at a desk, the desks around me would stay empty.

Even if someone had reported me to the authorities, it would have done no good because we moved frequently, keeping just ahead of law enforcement and child welfare organizations. There was no one I could talk to and no one approached me in concern. Life was really unpleasant, but I had been brought up this way since birth, and had not been exposed to any different kind of living.

I am sorry, Beaumont. That would be totally humiliating. I was the "weird" kid, too, because my parents didn't teach me hygiene and bought all my clothes the wrong size, too. But every kid deserves someone to care about them. I am sorry you didn't have it because you completely and entirely deserved it.

In case it's not clear, I meant you deserved someone to love and care about you. I DID NOT mean that you deserved the way you were treated.

That's just unbelievable, Beaumont. I always wonder how it is that so many school administrators, teachers, and other staff, can see such things on a daily basis and never say anything. It's almost like they're approving of that kind of treatment.

Hi,

I am really sorry, too. Beaumont. It must have felt awful to feel so outside and alone.

Hugs,

Shar