I'm with you. All I have to do is shoot my DS "The Look".
I think you and bakerprune should have classes and teach other parents about immediate consequences and "the look" - my Mom was a MASTER - I could see it for about a block. I hardly ever see it anymore here - the last time I saw it used well, I was in Europe.
Your kids (and
bakerprune64's kids) are NOT what I was talking about. I note that you actually have CONSEQUENCES and care whether your children are preventing others from enjoying their dinner. I have no problem with children being present anywhere, so long as them being there does not impact anyone else negatively.
And I get that parents do have to take their kids with them to shop, run errands and take care of family stuff.... but the idea that they can just allow their kids to do ANYTHING and it's other people's problem if their kids annoy them or get into dangerous situations is just all wrong on every level IMO. It's as if we (the public, businesses, society) are being FORCED to place children (all children) over everything else - our own rights included. Some parents seem to expect and feel entitled to a world that accommodates, protects, rewards and welcomes them and their children without question - without them having to do anything.
Having kids is a privilege and a GIFT - just ask women in China. Being a parent is an awesome responsibility and it is NOT EASY to be a GOOD parent - it's WORK - creating and nurturing and teaching a child is a job you get FOR LIFE.... but oh the joys and the rewards it brings! I just do not understand parents who willingly abdicate the parenting role and entrust their precious child to the "world" to raise instead. They want someone else to do the discipline and the hard parts while they have fun with their "friend" and then are all confused and befuddled and don't understand why their child has all these "issues" and "problems" and as adults can't keep a job or have a successful relationship and are $50K in debt before they're 25 and have to move back home.
I know- I see these "adults" struggling - they expect their boss to be their friend and get mad when the boss wants them to WORK instead of run around the office all day having fun and doing what they want - and its devastating when the boss FIRES them and they learn there are no "time outs" in the business world. And oh the shock when they are unemployed and realize they have to PAY for that expensive new car every month and the PAIN when they can't shop at the best places and keep going to exotic spots on vacation? What happened??? Doesn't the world OWE THEM to accommodate what THEY WANT? Whadda you mean they have to get up and go to work on time every day and work long hours at a job they might not love just to pay their bills? Whassup with nobody praising them or begging them to do their job or reminding them when they have to pay their bills or they'll shut off their precious cell phone? It's really quite sad that at 40 they finally realize they are self-centered and disrespectful and have a huge sense of entitlement and that the real world doesn't owe them ANYTHING and instead can CRUSH you like a bug. I know that's where some of these kids are headed - cuz "society" could care less about your special child and we won't do such a great job of parenting him while you are being his "best friend".
Parents have a JOB to do and those that don't want to do it are NOT protecting or helping or nurturing their children. Good parents prepare kids to be good adults - and that means teaching their kids to fit into the world, not expecting the world to fit itself around them.
HOORAY :clap::clap: for great parents everywhere! We don't appreciate you enough :blowkiss: - probably because we can't safely negotiate around the sea of unruly screaming kids fast enough to tell you we do!
My Opinion
