On February 14, 2018, Nikolas Cruz, a former pupil at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive College in Parkland, Florida, opened fireplace on his classmates and academics, killing 17 folks and injuring 17 others. The bloodbath despatched shockwaves throughout the nation and sparked renewed debate about gun management and college security. Within the aftermath of the tragedy, a lot consideration has been targeted on Cruz’s household and upbringing, and the position they might have performed in his actions.
Nikolas Cruz’s mother and father, Lynda Cruz and Roger Cruz, have been each immigrants from Cuba. They met in the USA and had two youngsters collectively, Nikolas and Zachary. Lynda Cruz labored as a receptionist, whereas Roger Cruz was a landscaper. The household lived in a modest dwelling in Broward County, Florida. In response to neighbors and acquaintances, the Cruz household gave the impression to be a typical working-class household. They have been pleasant and concerned of their group. Nonetheless, there have been some indicators of hassle behind the scenes.
As Nikolas Cruz grew older, he started to exhibit behavioral issues. He was recognized with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) and was prescribed medicine. He additionally struggled with despair and had a historical past of self-harm. In center college, Cruz was suspended for combating and making threats in opposition to different college students. His habits turned more and more erratic, and he was finally expelled from highschool.
nick cruz mother and father
Troubled upbringing, historical past of psychological sickness.
- Immigrants from Cuba
- Working-class household
- Indicators of hassle in childhood
- Behavioral issues, ADHD, despair
- Historical past of violence, expelled from college
Mother and father’ position in son’s actions nonetheless beneath investigation.
Immigrants from Cuba
Nikolas Cruz’s mother and father, Lynda Cruz and Roger Cruz, have been each immigrants from Cuba. They met in the USA and had two youngsters collectively, Nikolas and Zachary. Lynda Cruz labored as a receptionist, whereas Roger Cruz was a landscaper. The household lived in a modest dwelling in Broward County, Florida.
Lynda Cruz was born in Cuba in 1959. She got here to the USA in 1970 along with her mother and father and siblings. She settled in New Jersey, the place she met Roger Cruz, who was additionally from Cuba. They married in 1980 and had two youngsters, Nikolas and Zachary. The household moved to Florida in 1993.
Roger Cruz was born in Cuba in 1957. He got here to the USA in 1974 along with his mother and father and siblings. He settled in New Jersey, the place he met Lynda Cruz. After they married, the couple moved to Florida, the place they raised their two sons.
Lynda and Roger Cruz have been each hard-working immigrants who tried to offer a great life for his or her youngsters. Nonetheless, they confronted many challenges. They each labored lengthy hours at low-paying jobs, they usually struggled to make ends meet. In addition they needed to take care of the challenges of elevating youngsters in a brand new nation, the place they didn’t have household or associates to assist them.
Regardless of the challenges they confronted, Lynda and Roger Cruz have been decided to provide their youngsters a greater life than that they had. They labored arduous to offer for his or her household, they usually instilled of their youngsters the significance of training and arduous work. Nonetheless, their son Nikolas struggled with psychological well being points and behavioral issues, and he finally dedicated a horrific act of violence.
Working-class household
Nikolas Cruz’s mother and father, Lynda and Roger Cruz, have been each hard-working immigrants who tried to offer a great life for his or her youngsters. Nonetheless, they confronted many challenges. They each labored lengthy hours at low-paying jobs, they usually struggled to make ends meet.
- Low-paying jobs: Lynda Cruz labored as a receptionist, whereas Roger Cruz was a landscaper. These are each jobs that usually pay low wages.
- Lengthy hours: Each Lynda and Roger Cruz labored lengthy hours to attempt to make ends meet. They typically labored greater than 40 hours per week, they usually generally needed to work a number of jobs.
- Monetary struggles: Regardless of working lengthy hours, the Cruz household struggled to make ends meet. They lived in a modest dwelling in a working-class neighborhood, they usually typically needed to go with out fundamental requirements.
- Lack of help: The Cruz household didn’t have any household or associates in Florida to assist them. They have been remoted and alone, they usually needed to depend on their very own assets to get by.
The Cruz household’s monetary struggles and lack of help probably contributed to Nikolas Cruz’s psychological well being issues and behavioral points. He grew up in a house the place there was loads of stress and stress, and he didn’t have the assets he wanted to get the assistance he wanted.
Indicators of hassle in childhood
There have been a number of indicators of hassle in Nikolas Cruz’s childhood which will have indicated that he wanted assist. These indicators included:
Behavioral issues: Nikolas Cruz was recognized with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) at a younger age. He was additionally suspended from college for combating and making threats in opposition to different college students. His habits turned more and more erratic and aggressive as he acquired older.
Psychological well being issues: Nikolas Cruz additionally struggled with psychological well being issues, together with despair and nervousness. He was prescribed medicine for these situations, however he typically refused to take it. He additionally engaged in self-harm, reminiscent of chopping himself.
Social isolation: Nikolas Cruz was a loner who had few associates. He spent most of his time alone, taking part in video video games or watching violent motion pictures. He was additionally bullied by different college students in school, which made him really feel much more remoted and alone.
Household issues: Nikolas Cruz’s household life was additionally troubled. His mother and father have been divorced, and he had a strained relationship with each of them. He additionally had a historical past of violence in his household. His father had been arrested for home violence, and his brother had been arrested for assault.
The indicators of hassle in Nikolas Cruz’s childhood have been clear, however they have been ignored or downplayed by those that have been supposed to assist him. In consequence, he fell by way of the cracks and was not given the assistance he wanted to forestall him from committing a horrific act of violence.
Behavioral issues, ADHD, despair
Nikolas Cruz exhibited quite a lot of behavioral issues from a younger age. He was recognized with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) on the age of seven. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental dysfunction characterised by problem paying consideration, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Youngsters with ADHD typically have problem controlling their habits, they usually could also be extra prone to interact in aggressive or disruptive habits.
Along with ADHD, Nikolas Cruz additionally struggled with despair. He was prescribed medicine for despair, however he typically refused to take it. Melancholy is a critical psychological sickness that may trigger emotions of unhappiness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. Folks with despair might also have problem sleeping, consuming, and concentrating.
Nikolas Cruz’s behavioral issues and psychological well being points made it tough for him to achieve college. He was suspended from college a number of instances for combating and making threats in opposition to different college students. He was additionally disruptive in school, and he typically refused to do his schoolwork. Because of his behavioral issues, Nikolas Cruz was finally expelled from college.
Nikolas Cruz’s mother and father have been conscious of his behavioral issues and psychological well being points. They took him to see quite a lot of docs and therapists, however they have been unable to discover a resolution that labored. Nikolas Cruz’s habits turned more and more erratic and aggressive, and he finally dedicated a horrific act of violence.
Nikolas Cruz’s case is a tragic instance of how untreated psychological well being points and behavioral issues can result in violence. It is very important search assist for youngsters who’re combating these points, and to offer them with the help and assets they should get higher.
Historical past of violence, expelled from college
Nikolas Cruz had a historical past of violence and aggressive habits, each at dwelling and in school. He was suspended from college a number of instances for combating and making threats in opposition to different college students.
- Preventing: Nikolas Cruz was concerned in quite a few fights in school. He was typically the aggressor, and he would typically begin fights for no obvious cause. He additionally had a historical past of bullying different college students.
- Threats: Nikolas Cruz made quite a few threats in opposition to different college students and college employees. He threatened to kill college students, academics, and directors. He additionally made threats of violence on social media.
- Weapons: Nikolas Cruz had a fascination with weapons. He collected knives and weapons, and he typically made threats to make use of them in opposition to others. He additionally posted photos of himself on social media holding weapons.
- Expulsion: Nikolas Cruz’s habits turned so disruptive and violent that he was finally expelled from college. He was expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive College in 2017, after he was arrested for bringing a knife to highschool.
Regardless of his historical past of violence and aggressive habits, Nikolas Cruz was not supplied with the assistance he wanted to deal with his issues. He was by no means evaluated by a psychological well being skilled, and he was not given any counseling or remedy. In consequence, he was in a position to proceed his violent habits, which finally culminated within the tragic capturing at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive College.
FAQ
In case you are a mother or father, you might have questions on tips on how to forestall your little one from turning into violent or partaking in dangerous habits. Listed below are some regularly requested questions and solutions:
Query 1: How can I determine if my little one is combating psychological well being points or behavioral issues?
Reply 1: There are a lot of indicators which will point out that your little one is combating psychological well being points or behavioral issues. These indicators can embrace adjustments in temper, habits, or sleeping patterns. Your little one might also begin to withdraw from family and friends, or they might begin to interact in dangerous or harmful behaviors.
Query 2: What ought to I do if I feel my little one is combating psychological well being points or behavioral issues?
Reply 2: For those who assume your little one is combating psychological well being points or behavioral issues, you will need to search skilled assist instantly. Speak to your kid’s physician or psychological well being skilled. They will consider your little one and suggest one of the best course of remedy.
Query 3: How can I assist my little one deal with stress and tough feelings?
Reply 3: There are a lot of issues you are able to do to assist your little one deal with stress and tough feelings. Speak to your little one about their emotions and assist them to grasp that it’s okay to really feel unhappy, indignant, or scared. You may also educate your little one wholesome coping mechanisms, reminiscent of train, rest methods, and spending time in nature.
Query 4: How can I set limits and limits for my little one?
Reply 4: Setting limits and limits is a crucial a part of parenting. It helps your little one to be taught what is predicted of them and it could additionally assist to forestall them from partaking in dangerous behaviors. When setting limits and limits, be clear, constant, and agency. Make sure to clarify to your little one why the bounds and limits are necessary.
Query 5: How can I discuss to my little one about violence and weapons?
Reply 5: Speaking to your little one about violence and weapons generally is a tough dialog, but it surely is a crucial one to have. Speak to your little one in regards to the risks of violence and weapons and clarify to them why you will need to avoid them. You may also discuss to your little one in regards to the significance of looking for assist if they’re feeling indignant or violent.
Query 6: How can I become involved in my kid’s college and group?
Reply 6: Getting concerned in your kid’s college and group is an effective way to remain knowledgeable about what’s going on in your kid’s life and to indicate your little one that you just care about them. You’ll be able to volunteer at your kid’s college, be a part of a parent-teacher group, or attend group occasions.
Keep in mind, you aren’t alone. There are a lot of assets and help teams obtainable to folks who’re struggling to lift youngsters with psychological well being points or behavioral issues. Attain out for assist in the event you want it.
Along with the FAQ part above, listed below are some further suggestions for fogeys:
Ideas
Along with looking for skilled assist, there are a variety of issues that folks can do to assist their youngsters who’re combating psychological well being points or behavioral issues. Listed below are 4 sensible suggestions:
Tip 1: Speak to your little one.
One of the necessary issues you are able to do is to speak to your little one about their emotions and experiences. Allow them to know that you’re there for them and that you’re prepared to hear. Be affected person and understanding, and attempt to see issues from their perspective.
Tip 2: Set limits and limits.
Setting limits and limits is a crucial a part of parenting. It helps your little one to be taught what is predicted of them and it could additionally assist to forestall them from partaking in dangerous behaviors. When setting limits and limits, be clear, constant, and agency. Make sure to clarify to your little one why the bounds and limits are necessary.
Tip 3: Encourage wholesome coping mechanisms.
Train your little one wholesome coping mechanisms that they will use to take care of stress and tough feelings. This might embrace issues like train, rest methods, spending time in nature, or speaking to a trusted pal or member of the family.
Tip 4: Get entangled in your kid’s life.
Get entangled in your kid’s college and group. Attend college occasions, volunteer, and discuss to your kid’s academics and different adults who’re concerned of their life. It will aid you to remain knowledgeable about what’s going on along with your little one and it’ll additionally present them that you just care about them.
Keep in mind, parenting a toddler with psychological well being points or behavioral issues might be difficult, however you will need to keep in mind that you’re not alone. There are a lot of assets and help teams obtainable to folks who’re struggling. Attain out for assist in the event you want it.
In case you are involved about your kid’s psychological well being or habits, you will need to search skilled assist instantly. A psychological well being skilled can consider your little one and suggest one of the best course of remedy.
Conclusion
Mother and father play an important position within the lives of their youngsters. They’re their first academics, their position fashions, and their supply of unconditional love and help. Nonetheless, parenting a toddler with psychological well being points or behavioral issues generally is a difficult and overwhelming expertise.
In case you are a mother or father of a kid who’s struggling, you will need to keep in mind that you’re not alone. There are a lot of assets and help teams obtainable that will help you. Attain out for assist in the event you want it. There isn’t a disgrace in asking for assist. In truth, it’s the neatest thing you are able to do on your little one.
Listed below are some key factors to recollect:
- Speak to your little one. Allow them to know that you’re there for them and that you’re prepared to hear.
- Set limits and limits. It will assist your little one to be taught what is predicted of them and it could additionally assist to forestall them from partaking in dangerous behaviors.
- Encourage wholesome coping mechanisms. Train your little one wholesome methods to take care of stress and tough feelings.
- Get entangled in your kid’s life. Attend college occasions, volunteer, and discuss to your kid’s academics and different adults who’re concerned of their life.
- Search skilled assist. In case you are involved about your kid’s psychological well being or habits, you will need to search skilled assist instantly.
Parenting a toddler with psychological well being points or behavioral issues isn’t simple, however it’s doable to lift a cheerful, wholesome, and profitable little one. With the best help and assets, you possibly can assist your little one to beat their challenges and attain their full potential.
