With a quick explosive temper, my aunt has two sons.

My aunt is always scolding my two cousins on the grounds that they are mischievous, yelling or running around. Sometimes my aunt and uncle punish them severely for that. The ways my cousins are beaten might make you believe that they have committed horrible crimes, but in fact they were just being lively because they were a bit lonely.

When I was in junior high school, my homework was not so much that I was able to spare time to accompany my two cousins. In those days I found them very lovely, and there was no problem at all with their behaviour.

As time went by, I got busier with my studies, so I did not have as much time to play with my two cousins. Gradually they became more and more unreasonable in their parents’ eyes. My aunt and uncle thought their sons’ conduct more and more intolerable.

I am concerned about my two cousins. To my relief they can still play with each other and enjoy the company. When they are together alone, they show tolerance toward each other. Hopefully their bond can cancel out the negative influence my aunt and uncle might have had on their growth.

Without doubt, my aunt loves her two sons, but she ignores the fact that they are just kids. They have not grown up. It’s kids’ nature to be naughty and noisy. Their behaviour should be tolerated as long as it does not overstep the boundaries. As parents, my aunt and uncle should realise that it is no use rebuking their children all the time.

The ways my aunt and uncle raise my cousins have had some undesirable effects. These days, my cousins are very much afraid of their mother, and they would not tell her what they really think.

I wish my aunt could find a better way to raise her kids. I used to meet a very patient and tender mother in my neighbourhood. Without many reprimands, her child grew up a gentle person.

Parents are their children’s first teachers. Their influence on the kids could not be overemphasised. I hope my aunt will change her ways with my cousins. I hope my cousins will grow up healthy, patient and loving.