On February 14, 2018, Nikolas Cruz, a former scholar at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty in Parkland, Florida, opened hearth on his classmates and lecturers, killing 17 individuals and injuring 17 others. The bloodbath despatched shockwaves throughout the nation and sparked renewed debate about gun management and faculty security. Within the aftermath of the tragedy, a lot consideration has been targeted on Cruz’s household and upbringing, and the position they could have performed in his actions.
Nikolas Cruz’s dad and mom, Lynda Cruz and Roger Cruz, had been each immigrants from Cuba. They met in the US 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 residence in Broward County, Florida. In accordance with neighbors and acquaintances, the Cruz household appeared to be a typical working-class household. They had been pleasant and concerned of their neighborhood. Nevertheless, there have been some indicators of bother behind the scenes.
As Nikolas Cruz grew older, he started to exhibit behavioral issues. He was identified with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) and was prescribed remedy. 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 conduct turned more and more erratic, and he was finally expelled from highschool.
nick cruz dad and mom
Troubled upbringing, historical past of psychological sickness.
- Immigrants from Cuba
- Working-class household
- Indicators of bother in childhood
- Behavioral issues, ADHD, despair
- Historical past of violence, expelled from college
Mother and father’ position in son’s actions nonetheless below investigation.
Immigrants from Cuba
Nikolas Cruz’s dad and mom, Lynda Cruz and Roger Cruz, had been each immigrants from Cuba. They met in the US 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 residence in Broward County, Florida.
Lynda Cruz was born in Cuba in 1959. She got here to the US in 1970 together with her dad and mom 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 US in 1974 together with his dad and mom 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 had been each hard-working immigrants who tried to supply a very good life for his or her youngsters. Nevertheless, they confronted many challenges. They each labored lengthy hours at low-paying jobs, and so they struggled to make ends meet. In addition they needed to cope with the challenges of elevating youngsters in a brand new nation, the place they didn’t have household or buddies to assist them.
Regardless of the challenges they confronted, Lynda and Roger Cruz had been decided to provide their youngsters a greater life than that they had. They labored arduous to supply for his or her household, and so they instilled of their youngsters the significance of training and arduous work. Nevertheless, 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 dad and mom, Lynda and Roger Cruz, had been each hard-working immigrants who tried to supply a very good life for his or her youngsters. Nevertheless, they confronted many challenges. They each labored lengthy hours at low-paying jobs, and so they 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 sometimes 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, and so they 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 residence in a working-class neighborhood, and so they typically needed to go with out fundamental requirements.
- Lack of assist: The Cruz household didn’t have any household or buddies in Florida to assist them. They had been remoted and alone, and so they needed to depend on their very own sources to get by.
The Cruz household’s monetary struggles and lack of assist possible contributed to Nikolas Cruz’s psychological well being issues and behavioral points. He grew up in a house the place there was a variety of stress and pressure, and he didn’t have the sources he wanted to get the assistance he wanted.
Indicators of bother in childhood
There have been a number of indicators of bother in Nikolas Cruz’s childhood that will have indicated that he wanted assist. These indicators included:
Behavioral issues: Nikolas Cruz was identified 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 conduct turned more and more erratic and aggressive as he obtained older.
Psychological well being issues: Nikolas Cruz additionally struggled with psychological well being issues, together with despair and anxiousness. He was prescribed remedy for these situations, however he typically refused to take it. He additionally engaged in self-harm, comparable to reducing himself.
Social isolation: Nikolas Cruz was a loner who had few buddies. 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 dad and mom had 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 bother in Nikolas Cruz’s childhood had been clear, however they had been ignored or downplayed by those that had been supposed to assist him. Consequently, he fell by means of the cracks and was not given the assistance he wanted to stop him from committing a horrific act of violence.
Behavioral issues, ADHD, despair
Nikolas Cruz exhibited a variety of behavioral issues from a younger age. He was identified with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) on the age of seven. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental dysfunction characterised by issue paying consideration, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Kids with ADHD typically have issue controlling their conduct, and so they could also be extra more likely to have interaction in aggressive or disruptive conduct.
Along with ADHD, Nikolas Cruz additionally struggled with despair. He was prescribed remedy for despair, however he typically refused to take it. Melancholy is a severe psychological sickness that may trigger emotions of unhappiness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. Individuals with despair may additionally have issue 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 occasions 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. On account of his behavioral issues, Nikolas Cruz was finally expelled from college.
Nikolas Cruz’s dad and mom had been conscious of his behavioral issues and psychological well being points. They took him to see a variety of medical doctors and therapists, however they had been unable to discover a resolution that labored. Nikolas Cruz’s conduct 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 scuffling with these points, and to supply them with the assist and sources they should get higher.
Historical past of violence, expelled from college
Nikolas Cruz had a historical past of violence and aggressive conduct, each at residence and in school. He was suspended from college a number of occasions for combating and making threats in opposition to different college students.
- Combating: 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 purpose. 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 faculty workers. He threatened to kill college students, lecturers, 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 conduct turned so disruptive and violent that he was finally expelled from college. He was expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty in 2017, after he was arrested for bringing a knife to highschool.
Regardless of his historical past of violence and aggressive conduct, Nikolas Cruz was not supplied with the assistance he wanted to handle his issues. He was by no means evaluated by a psychological well being skilled, and he was not given any counseling or remedy. Consequently, he was in a position to proceed his violent conduct, which finally culminated within the tragic taking pictures at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty.
FAQ
In case you are a mother or father, you’ll have questions on the right way to stop your youngster from turning into violent or participating in dangerous conduct. Listed below are some often requested questions and solutions:
Query 1: How can I establish if my youngster is scuffling with psychological well being points or behavioral issues?
Reply 1: There are a lot of indicators that will point out that your youngster is scuffling with psychological well being points or behavioral issues. These indicators can embody adjustments in temper, conduct, or sleeping patterns. Your youngster may additionally begin to withdraw from family and friends, or they could begin to have interaction in dangerous or harmful behaviors.
Query 2: What ought to I do if I believe my youngster is scuffling with psychological well being points or behavioral issues?
Reply 2: In the event you assume your youngster is scuffling with psychological well being points or behavioral issues, you will need to search skilled assist instantly. Discuss to your kid’s physician or psychological well being skilled. They’ll consider your youngster and advocate one of the best course of remedy.
Query 3: How can I assist my youngster deal with stress and tough feelings?
Reply 3: There are a lot of issues you are able to do to assist your youngster deal with stress and tough feelings. Discuss to your youngster about their emotions and assist them to know that it’s okay to really feel unhappy, indignant, or scared. You may also train your youngster wholesome coping mechanisms, comparable to train, leisure strategies, and spending time in nature.
Query 4: How can I set limits and bounds for my youngster?
Reply 4: Setting limits and bounds is a vital a part of parenting. It helps your youngster to study what is anticipated of them and it may additionally assist to stop them from participating in dangerous behaviors. When setting limits and bounds, be clear, constant, and agency. Remember to clarify to your youngster why the boundaries and bounds are vital.
Query 5: How can I discuss to my youngster about violence and weapons?
Reply 5: Speaking to your youngster about violence and weapons generally is a tough dialog, however it is a vital one to have. Discuss to your youngster in regards to the risks of violence and weapons and clarify to them why you will need to keep away from them. You may also discuss to your youngster 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 neighborhood?
Reply 6: Getting concerned in your kid’s college and neighborhood is an effective way to remain knowledgeable about what’s going on in your kid’s life and to indicate your youngster that you simply care about them. You’ll be able to volunteer at your kid’s college, be a part of a parent-teacher group, or attend neighborhood occasions.
Keep in mind, you aren’t alone. There are a lot of sources and assist teams obtainable to oldsters who’re struggling to boost youngsters with psychological well being points or behavioral issues. Attain out for assist when you want it.
Along with the FAQ part above, listed below are some extra suggestions for fogeys:
Suggestions
Along with looking for skilled assist, there are a selection of issues that oldsters can do to assist their youngsters who’re scuffling with psychological well being points or behavioral issues. Listed below are 4 sensible suggestions:
Tip 1: Discuss to your youngster.
One of the crucial vital issues you are able to do is to speak to your youngster 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 bounds.
Setting limits and bounds is a vital a part of parenting. It helps your youngster to study what is anticipated of them and it may additionally assist to stop them from participating in dangerous behaviors. When setting limits and bounds, be clear, constant, and agency. Remember to clarify to your youngster why the boundaries and bounds are vital.
Tip 3: Encourage wholesome coping mechanisms.
Train your youngster wholesome coping mechanisms that they’ll use to cope with stress and tough feelings. This might embody issues like train, leisure strategies, spending time in nature, or speaking to a trusted buddy or member of the family.
Tip 4: Get entangled in your kid’s life.
Get entangled in your kid’s college and neighborhood. Attend college occasions, volunteer, and discuss to your kid’s lecturers and different adults who’re concerned of their life. This may aid you to remain knowledgeable about what’s going on together with your youngster and it’ll additionally present them that you simply care about them.
Keep in mind, parenting a baby with psychological well being points or behavioral issues could be difficult, however you will need to bear in mind that you’re not alone. There are a lot of sources and assist teams obtainable to oldsters who’re struggling. Attain out for assist when you want it.
In case you are involved about your kid’s psychological well being or conduct, you will need to search skilled assist instantly. A psychological well being skilled can consider your youngster and advocate 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 lecturers, their position fashions, and their supply of unconditional love and assist. Nevertheless, parenting a baby 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 bear in mind that you’re not alone. There are a lot of sources and assist teams obtainable that will help you. Attain out for assist when you want it. There isn’t any disgrace in asking for assist. Actually, it’s the smartest thing you are able to do on your youngster.
Listed below are some key factors to recollect:
- Discuss to your youngster. Allow them to know that you’re there for them and that you’re prepared to hear.
- Set limits and bounds. This may assist your youngster to study what is anticipated of them and it may additionally assist to stop them from participating in dangerous behaviors.
- Encourage wholesome coping mechanisms. Train your youngster wholesome methods to cope with stress and tough feelings.
- Get entangled in your kid’s life. Attend college occasions, volunteer, and discuss to your kid’s lecturers 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 conduct, you will need to search skilled assist instantly.
Parenting a baby with psychological well being points or behavioral issues just isn’t straightforward, however it’s doable to boost a cheerful, wholesome, and profitable youngster. With the appropriate assist and sources, you may assist your youngster to beat their challenges and attain their full potential.
