OT--What's with Kids these days??

[nicolemomof4cuties]

This last fall we were at the park and these 3 children ranging in age of 7-10 were there by themselves. They were being absolute terrors. Pushing other kids, knocking them off of (high) ladders, smacking kids. Well, one of them decided to do that to one of my kids and I told him to knock it off and that it wasn't an appropriate way to act. Lo and behold, he goes and gets a full container of Gatorade and lobs it at my sons head. I seriously missed him by about an inch and hit a metal pole behind him. That kid mustv'e really lobbed that thing because you could hear the sound in the bathrooms (my DH told me) and they are very far away. Well, that was it I told him that was inexcusable and that we were finding his parents RIGHT NOW!! His older brother (about 10) started apologizing and what not but I did't want an apology I wanted that kid gone NOW! I told him to take me to them IMMEDIATLY and took all 3 of them to their family-honestly about 1/2 a mile away on the other side of the park. I told their parents what their kids were doing and that it was inexcusable behavior and not to send them to the park alone again or I would call CPS. Period. You could tell that they were embarrassed. When I got back to the park there was a round of applause--I am totally not kidding. I just wonder what some parents think sometimes. (By the way my kids stayed with my DH who had ran out of the bathroom when he heard that sound--I am not a bad mama and didn't leave them alone.) I am a military style mama, though and have no problem telling any child to behave. I would want anyone to do the same to my kids if they were acting like reprobates.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

At my church we also take the "it takes a village" tact. Just because I wasn't there and didn't see it didn't mean that someone else didn't. All of us reprimand each other's children and the children never complain about it. They know if they deserve to get in trouble LOL! by the way, our church has alot of well-behaved children. i think that it is because of this.....

 

[puddleduck]

I'm blessed to live in the south. We don't allow that or any other type
of disrespect. Your last line was hilarious .

It's odd you had to parent a parent

I live in MS and we see stuff like that all the time. Just yesterday, at the park, a gmother was allowing her 2 gsons to run around hitting kids, including my3 sons. My oldest actually went up to the older boy to tell him to please make his brother quit hitting the kids and the boy punched my son. The grandmother did nothing other than watch. My dh and I are both teachers. At the high school, parents will just repeatedly buy new phones after their kids are caught on campus with cell phones. They actually come to school to defend why their child cussed my dh out during class. At the elementary school I work at, I see parents come to school in pajamas, house shoes, torn shirts, shirts with profanity, no bras and worse. yet, we then expect the kids to have respect for others. Sorry, it happens just as badly in the south.

 

[Jenvenza]

I cannot imagine my DD ever doing anything like that! First off, she would never throw rocks at an animal! What rude little %$#%$(!

I think it is great you were able to say something to the parents. Good for you.

 

[disneyfinatics]

isn't it ironic you have to have a license to drive but not to parent. When I was younger I would have gotten the belt if I did that. ( I was not abused, just disciplined). My children know that they should never do anything like that. We have raised them that all men are created equal and that all creatures are created to be loved.

Have you seen the way people drive? I'm afraid licenses don't work. I actually had a woman yell at my son for opening the door for her! She said she didn't need a man to hold the door for her. He was only 6 yrs old! Heaven forbid you should teach your kids manners. Sorry just had to vent. My guys are often shocked by the behavior of other kids.

 

[Aliceacc]

New York State law says that any kid under 14 on a bike must have a helmet. It's pretty clear, and it's to keep kids safe.

So WHY do so many parents let their kids get out of the yard on a bike without a helmet???

My son is fine wearing a helmet as long as he's not the only one. But, yet again tonight, he was the only kid whose mean mom made him wear a helmet. He didn't win, but we had a needless argument.

Come on parents!!! No one said this parenting thing was going to be easy. But could you develop a little gumption and stand up to your kids, especially when their safety is at risk????

 

[Doc CW]

It's the parents weak discipline system because they want to be their kids friend instead of their parent, but I would rather that my kid hated me but they are well-behaved in public and show good manners and respect towards others, than for them to pull stuff like that in public.

 

[Doc CW]

Honestly people should have to go through a series of tests to see if they should be allowed to have children because if they really had this test there would be no disrespectful children and there would be a dramatic decrease in population

 

[MiniGirl]

New York State law says that any kid under 14 on a bike must have a helmet. It's pretty clear, and it's to keep kids safe.

So WHY do so many parents let their kids get out of the yard on a bike without a helmet???

My son is fine wearing a helmet as long as he's not the only one. But, yet again tonight, he was the only kid whose mean mom made him wear a helmet. He didn't win, but we had a needless argument.

Come on parents!!! No one said this parenting thing was going to be easy. But could you develop a little gumption and stand up to your kids, especially when their safety is at risk????

I understand what you're saying, but how many parents where helmets when out for a bike ride? I do because I can't explain to my dd why she has to and I don't. The helmet is for her safety and my safety is just as important. Well, maybe it is because I ride a bike better than she does, but how long before she rides just as well as I do. Then that arguement doesn't hold water. Again, we teach our children mostly by example, and if my children see me treat others with respect then they will, too. Also, on those occassions they don't, I can correct them and they know that I am not asking them to do something other than what I do myself.

 

[nessz79]

I totally agree about the parenting issue. And it's not an age/generational issue with me- I'm 29 and I'm absolutely appalled at the parenting going on at every age group.

My boys are very different- the 5 year old is very logical, quiet, and reserved. He gets compliments everywhere as he is very well-behaved. The 3 year old is rather rambunctious and we do quite a bit of disciplining with him. However, at church and school, he also gets quite a bit of compliments. I think that a firm, yet loving line of discipline will help any child, even the more wild at heart.

I bring up the different personalities because I know some parents will say that's just the way their kids are. My 3 year old is very active and we do have conflicts in public, but he knows that bad behavior is not acceptable and that we will deal with it. Some children know that their behavior will not be dealt with so they are even worse.

A total ramble, but I totally agree. My parents were always stricter than my friends' parents, but somehow I always knew that it was out of love. I knew that they were raising me right. I try to raise my children the same way.

 

[dogluva]

Heh heh....guess I win the Worst Parent of the Year award, because I do let my kids go up the slide when we're the only ones at the park--which is often, since I live in a really small town. They know they can't if other kids are wanting to come down, but otherwise I let them have at it.

I also let my kids go up it the wrong way when they are the only ones using it. Once the others come along I make them go down the right way.

 

[nessz79]

I also let my kids go up it the wrong way when they are the only ones using it. Once the others come along I make them go down the right way.

Us, too

You really have to pick your battles!