03.10.2010
I wish that when people took their kids to restaurants that they would better control them. If you want your child to run like a banshee all over the place in the privacy of your own home then that is your prerogative. But please, spare the rest of us from having to do your job. I don’t go out to eat with family and/or friends so that I could listen to a child scream “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!” as he/she tries to get your attention and you’re very obviously tuning him/her out. I can sort of understand you wanting to tune out your child, but it’s not fair to have to make me have to listen to him/her. If you want to “tune out” your kid, have a date night without him/her. And if you can’t afford a babysitter then you should’ve thought about that before having a kid. And if you can’t control your child then seek therapy because, I assure you, it’s not going to get easier as the child gets older. If anything, take your child OUT of the restaurant when a tantrum or misbehavior starts. YOU are the adult. Restaurants are public places, not extensions of your personal dining room. Kids need to learn how to act in public and it’s your responsibility as a parent to guide your child in learning how to act accordingly. This is just one example of what leads to selfish individuals who think they can get away with anything.
This is because children will push their limits until they are stopped or controlled. It's not the kids' fault. I blame the parents. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. And if parents allow inappropriate behavior in or out of the house, then it's the child that is in control, not the parent.
ReplyDeleteSome parents don't usually understand how their child can be so well-behaved, cooperative, and a good listener in school and be the complete opposite at home. First of all, they know they can't get away with inappropriate behavior at all in my classroom. Second, they also know that I have another 20-24 other kids to teach, so there's no time to deal with inappropriateness. My job is to teach. Their job is to learn. And that's what we're here for. And lastly, I follow through with BOTH rewards and consequences and my kids know what to expect. Nothing should be a surprise... (leave the restaurant!).
i agree. children constantly push limits and what, i think, many parents don't realize is that kids *do* want rules, discipline and limits set because, without them, they know no boundaries (something confirmed in my child psych class). i have witnessed so many parents want to be their kids' friends and that's a horrible way to approach parenting. you can be friends with your kids when they grow up and the roles shift a little. when we set boundaries and limits and push kids to be their best we get wonderful results. when we don't, we get spoiled, out-for-themselves individuals which does no good for anyone.
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