Who's in charge here?
I think that disciplining a child is a very hard job and that it needs to be taken seriously. Being in an educational environment and seeing the way children interact with their parents (as well as their teachers) sometimes leaves my jaw hanging wide open.
I'm particularly jolted today from what I saw this afternoon by a particular child. This child has been known to throw fits so as to get their way. They are sassy and will not blink an eye before talking back to me (or whomever)...and today I realized why. They were being picked up by a parent and pitched a royal fit because their suggestion of going to McDonalds for dinner was shot down. Then they didn't want to clean up their toys, so on and and so forth. After only a short stint of whining--the parent consented to check with heir spouse to see if it would be ok to hit McDees for dinner. WHAT?! This child has complete control of their parents. I've seen them with each one and the responses have been the same no matter which parent they are interacting with. Amazing that a child has that much dominating influence over their PARENTS. It's almost frightening. I can just see this kid in 10 years. "Mom, I'm going to go party with friends and be home at an unreasonable hour". "I'd rather you not" [in a completely whiny voice] "But mom, it's the weekend and you never let me stay out late" "Well, if you text me to know you're ok then I guess...blah blah blah" Wait--what happened here?
Kids are so smart...much more clever then we usually give them credit for. I don't think they maliciously try to manipulate all of mankind, but I do believe that most kids will test their limits with everyone they meet. If we try to be the "cool one" in their lives--we will eventually become the "unrespected one" as well.
I remember at a young age which of my parents to go to for a sleepover :) I also remember which parent I could count on for a little cash to go to the gas station for a treat. Let's face it--kids are clever at a young age. I was not exempt from that [who are we kidding? I was a friggin' genius].
My point is this: Parents and Teachers around the world, let us stand together in unison...Let us have a backbone. Let us not be doormats. Let us use wisdom and maturity in disciplining children with all types of needs and personalities and furthermore, let us all talk normally and not begin sentences with "let us all". That can be really cheesy.
Thank you, and goodnight.
Comments
that being said. . . . i actch bought linus a truck when he was throwing a HUGE fit about it in the store. in my defence. . . it was a second hand store and i was just using my store credit. . . so i wasn't really spending money. ok - that doesn't make it better. BUT when i got home - i put him in his room for a timeout, hid the truck and am not giving it to him until christmas. . . . am i forgiven? :)