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Friday, July 08, 2011

Permissive Parents: Curb Your Brats

Grand Rapids, Michigan (CNN) -- If you're the kind of parent who allows your 5-year-old to run rampant in public places like restaurants, I have what could be some rather disturbing news for you.

I do not love your child.

The rest of the country does not love your child either.

And the reason why we're staring at you every other bite is not because we're acknowledging some sort of mutual understanding that kids will be kids but rather we want to kill you for letting your brat ruin our dinner.

Or our plane ride.

Or trip to the grocery store.

Or the other adult-oriented establishments you've unilaterally decided will serve as an extension of your toddler's playpen because you lack the fortitude to properly discipline them, in public and at home.

And we know you don't discipline them at home because you don't possess "the look." If you had "the look," you wouldn't need to say "sit down" a thousand times.

If you had "the look," you wouldn't need to say much of anything at all. But this nonverbal cue needs to be introduced early and reinforced diligently with consequences for transgressions, just like potty training. And whenever a kid throws a temper tantrum in the middle of the shopping mall it's just as bad as his soiling his pants to spite his parents, and it stinks just as much.

Or the other adult-oriented establishments you've unilaterally decided will serve as an extension of your toddler's playpen because you lack the fortitude to properly discipline them, in public and at home.

And we know you don't discipline them at home because you don't possess "the look." If you had "the look," you wouldn't need to say "sit down" a thousand times.

If you had "the look," you wouldn't need to say much of anything at all. But this nonverbal cue needs to be introduced early and reinforced diligently with consequences for transgressions, just like potty training. And whenever a kid throws a temper tantrum in the middle of the shopping mall it's just as bad as his soiling his pants to spite his parents, and it stinks just as much.

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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen to this.

Aint is strange that animals listen better than children these days.
Spare the rod and your child will whip your ass(hiney) eventually.

Anonymous said...

Amen, Amen, Amen
There's NO way I would have EVER gotten away with acting like kids do now when I was growing up!
I also wouldn't have talked to my parents the way kids talk to theirs nowadays either.
The writer is correct - if you discipline your kids properly, ALL it takes, is THE LOOK!

Flerndip said...

That is what is wrong with the younger generation they dont get their a$$ busted when they need it. When I was growing up in the 70's when I got an a$$ busting it was because I more than likely needed it. Now you cant bust their buts because you will get thrown in jail and your kids taken from you. Just happened in some state a couple of weeks ago. My son is very respectful of adults and everyone else because when he acted up and needed a tail whippin, he got it, in public or not. I feel sorry for society because once these kids grow up they will still want to have their hand held by mommy and daddy into their 30's. And expect hand out from everybody including the govt. because they think the world owes them something. I see brats in almost every public place I go and I want to bust the parents a$$ for not making their children mind.

Anonymous said...

There is NOTHING more rude inconsiderate and agrevating than some little spoiled brat monster having a tantrum in a quiet restaurant while mommy is quietly ignoring.
Young mothers, have some freaking consideration will ya?

Anonymous said...

It's the law in Maryland, and all the kids know it. Lots of them revel in it.

Anonymous said...

the state should be responsible for any kid that misbehaves and cant be corrected by the parents. They made the laws they should discipline and take care of them

LadyLiddy said...

Laziness parents are too lazy to parent. It takes effort to disipline and teach your child manners!