Post by Danielle on Oct 8, 2015 16:00:32 GMT
Dear Danielle,
Why do some parents think that they have the right to let their kids run around totally out of control in public? I was at the airport the other day waiting to pick up a friend and this young mom was totally ignoring her two young kids – brats, actually. She had her face stuck in her phone and didn’t pay the least bit of attention to them running around, making noise and disturbing everyone in the area. I couldn’t believe that she didn’t look up at all to see what they were doing and then encouraged them to scream and jump up and down when the plane arrived. Don’t people realize that other people don’t want to be subjected to that?
Incredulous
Dear Incredulous:
I hear you loud and clear! I spoke in my last column about distracted parents who are on their phones, ignoring their children when they should be paying attention, and the negative effects that can result.
I would like to put a few questions out to parents. What is your job as a parent? What do you think you are teaching your children? What should you be teaching them?
I have had this discussion with many parents over the years. It is important to keep in mind that you are always teaching your children, even when you may not be aware of doing so. Children will function within the boundaries set and the expectations (or lack thereof) placed upon them. Yes, they will challenge you – that’s their job. Your job is to teach them to be fully functioning, productive members of society, and having some respect for others is part of that.
I also often hear parents defend themselves by saying that kids need freedom to just “be kids”. Yes, they do, but not in public when it disturbs those around them.
A recent post in another parenting column cited the “modern-day parenting crisis” being due to “five grave parenting mistakes… – fear of our children, lower expectations, reliance on shortcuts, losing the village and parents putting their children’s needs ahead of their own”. The author stated that if things don’t change, “… and soon, the children we are raising will grow up to be entitled, selfish, impatient and rude adults”. Yes, they will, and they most likely already are those things now.
Lastly, I want to caution those who will then throw up their hands and say that since they aren’t, and can’t be, perfect parents that they don’t try. This is your most important investment and THE most important job you will ever have. Keep trying!!
Why do some parents think that they have the right to let their kids run around totally out of control in public? I was at the airport the other day waiting to pick up a friend and this young mom was totally ignoring her two young kids – brats, actually. She had her face stuck in her phone and didn’t pay the least bit of attention to them running around, making noise and disturbing everyone in the area. I couldn’t believe that she didn’t look up at all to see what they were doing and then encouraged them to scream and jump up and down when the plane arrived. Don’t people realize that other people don’t want to be subjected to that?
Incredulous
Dear Incredulous:
I hear you loud and clear! I spoke in my last column about distracted parents who are on their phones, ignoring their children when they should be paying attention, and the negative effects that can result.
I would like to put a few questions out to parents. What is your job as a parent? What do you think you are teaching your children? What should you be teaching them?
I have had this discussion with many parents over the years. It is important to keep in mind that you are always teaching your children, even when you may not be aware of doing so. Children will function within the boundaries set and the expectations (or lack thereof) placed upon them. Yes, they will challenge you – that’s their job. Your job is to teach them to be fully functioning, productive members of society, and having some respect for others is part of that.
I also often hear parents defend themselves by saying that kids need freedom to just “be kids”. Yes, they do, but not in public when it disturbs those around them.
A recent post in another parenting column cited the “modern-day parenting crisis” being due to “five grave parenting mistakes… – fear of our children, lower expectations, reliance on shortcuts, losing the village and parents putting their children’s needs ahead of their own”. The author stated that if things don’t change, “… and soon, the children we are raising will grow up to be entitled, selfish, impatient and rude adults”. Yes, they will, and they most likely already are those things now.
Lastly, I want to caution those who will then throw up their hands and say that since they aren’t, and can’t be, perfect parents that they don’t try. This is your most important investment and THE most important job you will ever have. Keep trying!!