7.30.2010

Spoiled, Much??

What is the DEAL with children these days?

I feel like every child I come in contact with lately (mainly at the grocery store) has a serious case of brattiness.

Parents, PLEASE discipline your children! They are not your little buddy, they are not your best friend, they are not bigger than you, and they are not your boss!

Please teach your children when it is appropriate to be quiet and when it is ok to be louder. While you are in a public store, or anywhere indoors, an "inside voice" is preferred. That means NOT screaming, especially for no reason. Hint: You screaming at your child to shut up does not send the correct message and is one hundred percent ineffective. Also- when you are playing outside, some yelling is ok; they are children. But blood-curdling, I'm-bleeding-to-death-or-in-serious-pain screaming, especially on repeat, is NOT ok.

Whining. As above- if you, in your most whiney, babyish voice, try to get your children to "stoppp it guysss" they will not only probably not stop, due to your lack of assertiveness, but they will learn to whine too!

If your child hits you or a sibling, do not swat them back whilst saying "no hitting!" As should be clear now, children learn from example, and your actions do indeed speak louder than your words. And then the rest of us have to suffer because of them.

Keep them under control! The grocery store is not a playground! Do not let them climb on the carts or displays, do not let them throw toys (or anything for that matter), and do not let them go running around playing hide 'n seek or tag! Do not let them ride their scooters, rollerblades, bicycles, or "heelies." And if they make a mess, we would appreciate it if you would please have them clean it up. Today our toy aisle was covered with about 50 bouncy balls- everywhere. Some harmless old lady could have accidentally stepped on one and broken a hip! And we would have been accountable for your stupidity! For the love, people.

When you are shopping, and your child decides his world will come crashing down if you do not immediately buy him that candy bar NOW, show him that he will survive by saying No! It's ok to buy your kid a treat every now and again; my mom did and I think we turned out ok. But do it as a reward for good, quiet, patient, behavior. Never reward a tantrum!! A couple months ago a mother and her two daughters came to our store. Things were going fine until the youngest decided she wanted a treat when they were getting ready to leave. The mom said no, and proceeded to walk to the exit. The girl melted to the floor in a classic tantrum- kicking, screaming, crying- the whole shebang. The mom kept walking, and told her child, "ok, see you later!" I was so proud. But alas, it was fleeting, for then the mom gave up, came back, and bought the kid a freaking ice cream! I mean for crying out loud! You'd think the kid had done this before, the way it worked so perfectly! I'm sure she has. And will continue to.

Also, if you know your child is tantrum-prone, and you want them to have something to play with while you shop, please bring your own toys from home. We checkers do not enjoy the shriek-fest that comes when, an hour of shopping-and-child-bonding-with-toy later, you finally take it away.

Personally I think the oompa loompas said it best:

Oompa Loompa doompadee do,
I've got another puzzle for you.
Oompa Loompa doompadee dee,
If you are wise you will listen to me.
Who do you blame when your kid is a brat-
Pampered and spoiled like a Siamese cat?
Blaming the kids is a lion of shame,
You know exactly who's to blame:
The mother and the father!
Oompa Loompa doompadee dah,
If you're not spoiled then you will go far.
You will live in happiness too,
Like the Oompa Loompa doompadee do!


Thank you to every mom who has the courage to say "No" and sticks to it.

5 comments:

Symantha said...

A. The oompa loompas are creepy.
B. AMEN. Especially the part about bringing toys from home. Way to go, Mom, now we all have to suffer.
C. I quite enjoyed this blog.

Unknown said...

Oh boy... this speaks volumes of truth. Let's not forget all those "children" on a certain very nearby university campus who are just as bratty and oh-so-entitled. I need a new job.

The Petersons said...

For the most part, I agree, but unfortunately parenting isn't always that easy. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, discipline and control don't go exactly as you have planned.

I regret rolling my eyes at people with crying children on the airplane or in the store. Because, as a new mom, I don't always remember a snack and a toy and blankie and everything else needed to keep my child 100 percent happy all the time.

I wish you luck when the time comes for you to hit the grocery store with your toddler! :)

Cait said...

In Target I always let Traci play with a 'new' toy in the dollar aisle because her toys are boring to her. Guilty as charged! But fortunately she doesn't throw tantrums yet when I take them away.

But I agree that most kids you run into now a days are very spoiled. Especially teenagers!

Yara said...

Totally agree with you, but I think some of it may be due to genetics. I don't think Liam or Zing have ever thrown a tantrum. They're easy kids. But I have friends whose kids were difficult from day 1. I can see how you might give in due to embarrassment or pure exhaustion.