“As parents, I believe something happens to us, the moment our child is born, that causes us to develop more pet peeves,” says Glenn Moscoso, a father who has cerebral palsy. One of Glenn’s biggest pet peeves is when people refer to his son (Jacob) as his ‘helper’.
“When I’m out running errands with my son it really irks me to hear people make comments like “you’ve got yourself a big helper” or if we frequent a place and I don’t have him with me … “where’s your helper today?” UGH!! It drives me nuts! Until recently, I didn’t really understand why it bothered me,” says Glenn.
“But, with that said he is a child and he’s my son first and foremost. I’m very careful not to make him feel like his dad needs his help all the time. I want him to be a kid and to be my son. Pardon me, while my ego gives his 2 cents. I’ve lived 42 years without my son and I’ve managed just fine.”
Glenn knows these comments are meant to be innocent and enduring. However, he states Jacob is a natural helper by trait, and that is just who he his. Glenn continues by saying that Jacob is at an impressionable age and his protective dad instinct is to not make Jacob feel as if he is responsible for his father’s care. Glenn just wants his son to be a kid.