Do you ever have a moment where you think...

[Minnie824]

...hey, my kids actually behave really well! I had one of those this weekend. Took my DDs to a neighbors house, where a bunch of kids were over planning. The way they were acting, unsupervised, was just crazy. These are 5 & 6 year olds and they were just running wild, pounding on each other, jumping off the top of the stairs rail onto each other, etc. My younger DD wouldn't even go by them...she stayed by me. Parents didn't care. It shocks me sometimes to see what some parents let their kids get away with.

 

[Stephres]

A lot of times when I am around other kids I am thankful my kids are so well behaved! My husband says I just have to remember this when they are acting not so well behaved (usually just for me)!

 

[dfarner]

My DH and I were honestly just talking about this last night. About how our 5 year old is so considerate of other people. She is always asking me if I need help w/ the baby, always offers to share, etc...The other day we were at the park and she got a drink from the water fountain. She then took her cup out of the van and proceeded to fill it up with water(while I was packing up the stroller and baby). I told her we were going right home and she could get another drink at home. She said "I'm getting this for you and sissy, mommy. You need a drink too." A lady that heard/saw the whole exchange told me "You have such a considerate child". I stopped and thought, "Yes, I guess I do". We do the best we can w/ our kids, but do we stop and think (enough) about how good they actually are? And how well we've done as parents? Okay enough bragging...kids are up. I'd better make sure they're not killing themselves

 

[solfan68]

We spent some time with friends this weekend. Their son simply melted down. And yeah, I was so incredibly thankful that DS5 is so even-tempered. Not perfect, but for the most part real easy to get along with.

 

[3mickeymom]

My son invited kids over to swim in our pool. It was 90 degrees. I gave them snacks , drinks , pizza for lunch. I sat outside all afternoon and watched them. At days end, I asked them all to get out of the pool and help clean up. They ignored my requests except for my son and one friend. I asked at least three more times and I was still ignored. I then told them that they were being disrespectful to me and my home(they left trash laying around) and I told them to leave NOW. I was truly saddened by their behavior. I have the only pool on the block and my son enjoys the company, but there has to be rules. The kids ranged from age 9 to 13.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

My son invited kids over to swim in our pool. It was 90 degrees. I gave them snacks , drinks , pizza for lunch. I sat outside all afternoon and watched them. At days end, I asked them all to get out of the pool and help clean up. They ignored my requests except for my son and one friend. I asked at least three more times and I was still ignored. I then told them that they were being disrespectful to me and my home(they left trash laying around) and I told them to leave NOW. I was truly saddened by their behavior. I have the only pool on the block and my son enjoys the company, but there has to be rules. The kids ranged from age 9 to 13.

We have the same issue-we seem to be the community pool. My office looks out over the pool, so often I am in there working when the kids are swimming. I guess they think because I'm not out there on the deck that I must not be watching-or listening (lucky me that my desk is right at my office window). I know that kids will be kids, but I get very upset when I see some of these kids think that it is cute or funny to hold each other under water or hit each other (and I mean hard) with those noodles or the boogie boards. And the foul language! OMG...cracks me up that their parents think they are little angels and never utter a foul word-because sometimes I think they are giving me an education with the four letter words. I can't tell you how many times I have given warnings and then I just get mad and tell the kids enough is enough-they have to go home. It does make you thankful when you get compliments on your own kids. Mine have their moments too-definitely no halos hanging over their heads 24/7, but overall I think they are pretty good and considerate of others.

 

[SnowWhite12]

We are thankful all the time. DD is 2, and we have purposely "trained" her on being good at restaurants. We have gone out to eat since she was an infant, and ever since she knows to sit still and use a quiet voice. I swore she was not going to be "one of those kids" who I can't stand being around in public. You know the ones--they stand in the booth next to you and stare at you while you are trying to eat. Or throw things. Or are so loud it makes it hard to eat peacefully. Or running all around the restaurant. OK-I guess you can tell that I can't stand when kids aren't disciplined in a restaurant. Anyway, on 3 separate occassions, people from nearby tables have actually come up to us and commended us on the great job we have done raising our daughter! It is a really good feeling.

 

[Minnie824]

We are thankful all the time. DD is 2, and we have purposely "trained" her on being good at restaurants. We have gone out to eat since she was an infant, and ever since she knows to sit still and use a quiet voice. I swore she was not going to be "one of those kids" who I can't stand being around in public. You know the ones--they stand in the booth next to you and stare at you while you are trying to eat. Or throw things. Or are so loud it makes it hard to eat peacefully. Or running all around the restaurant. OK-I guess you can tell that I can't stand when kids aren't disciplined in a restaurant. Anyway, on 3 separate occassions, people from nearby tables have actually come up to us and commended us on the great job we have done raising our daughter! It is a really good feeling.

Its funny you mention this...we are like this with our DDs as well. We take them out to nicer restaurants and they sit and color, etc. We see some kids who are up and down every 2 seconds. My 3yo actually said to me, mom he should be sitting in his chair. A friend of mine just said their 3 yo smeared food all over another friends clothes recently but that was because "they were sitting in a booth". Interesting reasoning to me.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Don't forget to tell your great kids how proud you are of them. Sadly in today's world, "great" kids are not always respected among their peers.

I have one of thoese great kids and try really hard to tell him often how proud we are of him. People want to know how we got lucky, we are lucky BUT it also takes hard work.

Good job everyone

 

[disneymom3]

We have the same issue-we seem to be the community pool. My office looks out over the pool, so often I am in there working when the kids are swimming. I guess they think because I'm not out there on the deck that I must not be watching-or listening (lucky me that my desk is right at my office window). I know that kids will be kids, but I get very upset when I see some of these kids think that it is cute or funny to hold each other under water or hit each other (and I mean hard) with those noodles or the boogie boards. And the foul language! OMG...cracks me up that their parents think they are little angels and never utter a foul word-because sometimes I think they are giving me an education with the four letter words. I can't tell you how many times I have given warnings and then I just get mad and tell the kids enough is enough-they have to go home. It does make you thankful when you get compliments on your own kids. Mine have their moments too-definitely no halos hanging over their heads 24/7, but overall I think they are pretty good and considerate of others.

I am thinking that to save my own sanity I would have to set up some house rules for this. Break the rules and you are immediately ejected. No way should they be horsing around the pool with holding people under water etc. For my personal comfort I would also not let them swear. With DD and DS friends I have never had a problem just saying "In our house the rule is X" I think mine are younger than yours from the sound of it, but I still think you have every right to stand up for what you expect in your own home.

OP--whenever DH gets frustrated with our kids, I always say, "Could be worse. Could be xx's kids." using a friend of mine as a reference point. Makes him thankful every time!!

 

[U2_rocks!]

I have those moments all the time! I was especially proud of my kids during our recent WDW trip - 2 whole weeks and not a meltdown, tantrum or even a much whining. They sat still in restaurants, just fell asleep when they got overtired (vs melt down), and generally made the trip such fun! OK, so they did fight in the car (they aren't used to sitting right next to each other - we have a van at home), and I did get a pout or 2 from my middle child, who tends to be a bit of a drama queen occasionally. But on the whole they were amazingly good! I made sure to thank them all profusely when we got home!

 

[TheDizMom]

Yes. They, I find, are usually much better behaved then other kids. I just wish they behaved that well for me and DH at home .

I had a really nice moment this weekend too. I went to pick up my DD from her friends b-day party, and one of my DS's classmates was there too because she was one of the birthday girl's neighbors. When her mom came to pick her up I was still there and she went out of her way to tell me what a nice, polite and well behaved kid my DS was and that I was obviously doing something right with him. She and I help out in our kids class a lot so she has spent a lot of time with him. It made me feel so good to hear that .

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I am so proud of my two girls too! While at the funeral of a family member recently, we sat at the back b/c my girls chose not to go near the front (for obvious reasons). I had told them twice that we will behave inside the funeral home and when the service started, we would sit still and not talk at all. My girls sat still and quiet the entire time.

A family member sitting in front of us with his three kids was horrendous. One child was behaving, and the two boys were hitting each other, laying across the chairs, wiggling, talking, etc. They should have gone out with their mom who left with the baby. It was very disrespectful and distracting. My DH even had to tap the kids on the shoulder a couple of times to behave b/c their dad wasn't doing anything. He would occasionally point a finger or glare at them, but apparently they knew dad didn't follow through.

I know that kids aren't perfect, but I think, in general (not always of course), kids will behave if they are already trained to do so.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I work in my 8 year old son's classroom for an hour each week. I cannot believe the way some kids act in school these days. The teacher has them sit in on the floor while she explains the activities. Then the kids are dismissed to the tables where the parent volunteers are waiting to work with them. Even though the year is almost over, the teacher still has to constantly remind the same kids over and over to sit still, stop talking, stop poking each other, etc. She can't even give 5 minutes of instructions without having to stop multiple times. It amazes me how these kids speak out without raising their hands and continually chatter to each other even after the teacher has told them to stop. Apparently, she gave them a huge lecture about listening and being respectful just this morning. This afternoon, the same behaviors were going on when I went in to work.

This teacher is not a push-over, either. She treats the kids with respect and expects the same in return. When the kids get to my table, I'm constantly reminding them to pay attention, stop talking, look at their own papers, etc. And each time I work in the room, I'm proud (and a little surprised) that my own son is behaving so well. He sits quietly, listens, follows directions and doesn't respond to other kids who try to get his attention. It surprises me a little because at home he talks constantly, teases his older brother and is in constant motion.

I'm proud that my son can separate his "home behavior" and his "school behavior." Home is the place to cut loose a little, test the limits and generally be yourself. School is the place to reign in your energy, focus and be on your best behavior. My son knows how to behave at school and he follows-through. He gets excellent marks in the behavior area of his report card. So, I don't mind if he's a total goofball at home!

 

[LynnTH]

Just last night I was at my DD T-Ball Game. Now, these are 4 and 5 year olds. There is one little boy on the team that throws a tantrum during every game because something doesn't go his way. Well, last night was no different. He didn't make a play or something dumb like that so he stormed off the field, took his batting helmut and threw it at the coach and also threw his bat then ran running towards his car. We just sat there shocked. When he came back the coach told him he was not allowed to bat again because of his behavior (good for him) so he took his stuff and stormed off. If I was those parents that kid would have been apologizing to the coach and then in some major trouble when he got home. If this is how this kid acts at 5 how is he going to act at 15. The boy's mother's words of wisdom "He's a boy - there isn't anything you can do about it". (She said this to the father as he was trying to make the boy behave ) Unbelievable...

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Just last night I was at my DD T-Ball Game. Now, these are 4 and 5 year olds. There is one little boy on the team that throws a tantrum during every game because something doesn't go his way. Well, last night was no different. He didn't make a play or something dumb like that so he stormed off the field, took his batting helmut and threw it at the coach and also threw his bat then ran running towards his car. We just sat there shocked. When he came back the coach told him he was not allowed to bat again because of his behavior (good for him) so he took his stuff and stormed off. If I was those parents that kid would have been apologizing to the coach and then in some major trouble when he got home. If this is how this kid acts at 5 how is he going to act at 15. The boy's mother's words of wisdom "He's a boy - there isn't anything you can do about it". (She said this to the father as he was trying to make the boy behave ) Unbelievable...

I just don't get these parents who think they either can't or shouldn't discipline their kids . A 5 year old who already has anger issues needs some serious parenting. I think parents sometimes think it's too hard or they try a few things that don't work and give up. No one said parenting was going to be easy! When you encounter a family like this, the best thing you can do is use the behavior as a learning experience for your own kids. Ask them why they think the boy was acting badly. Ask them how the boy could have handled his disappointment differently. I really feel bad for the kids who don't get any guidance. They're going to suffer for it!