- There were 5 screaming, fit throwing PARENTS at Wal-mart. They were yelling at the kids (who in turn were yelling things back) such as "Shut UP" "If you don't do what I say.." "I Said NO". Now, these things could ALL have been said in *nice* ways. But. No.
- One particularly awesome mom left her 5 year old standing up in the front part of the shopping cart. You know, where the kid is supposed to be sitting, snapped in? STANDING UP. And walked off - while yelling how horrible he was. Winner.
- We went to the Aquarium. It was busy. We ran across a completely unattended 18 month old sobbing uncontrollably. Another mother also noticed this rather odd child and we both asked all the other people with in sight if the child was theirs. Nope. I went and got an employee (I like to make this kind of problem someone else's problem). Turns out, 18 month old was in time out, but mommy thought it was *ok* to leave boy alone in a SUPER crowded public place while she was 2 rooms away. Surely, it would teach him a lesson.
- A group of about 5 kids and 2 adults were at the Aquarium. One little girl was very clearly ill. She was coughing a very hacking, juicy, constant cough. Never ONCE did that child cover her mouth. She had to have been AT LEAST 7. Never once did an adult suggest she do so. You could almost see the germs land on everything. She just stood and coughed on every single surface she came close to. I get it. You're on vacation and your little precious comes down with a cough. You give precious Sally some Motrin and carry on with your planned trip. Great. COVER YOUR DAMNED MOUTH. Teach her to do so. Wash your hands. No one else wants Precious Sally's nasty germs. Never ONCE did she even raise her arm, hand, sleeve - anything- to cover her face. It's gross! At least pretend to be socially appropriate.
And these fine examples of parenting were in just 1 day with only 2 outings. We didn't run a slew of errands. We went 2 places. I may need to be bailed out of jail at the rate this is going so far. It's not the small stuff that's irritating. I don't care if your kid is awesomely clean, has nice clothes on, has perfect grammar, whatever. But basic manners of not screaming in the store and YOU not screaming back? Teaching your child basic hygiene of covering their mouth or at least reminding them? Not openly insulting your kid in public? How are these things *hard*? Heck, just being NEAR your kid so people know they are yours... Yes, I've given my kid a timeout in public. Just flat out sat their little rumps down and had them sit. Sure have. I'll bet I have to do it again at some point to. BUT, I stay with them. They are MINE. Fit throwing, embarrassment giving joys of joy. I don't get to walk off because they are naughty. I'll sit and wait right there with them for as long as it takes. We all will wait if I'm by myself with both kids.
