I just posted a new blog entry:

[drupal=38]Public Behavior of Children[/drupal]

Quote: A forum post by Rob today got me thinking, and remembering, about the past 6 years with my son. Dylan is going to be 6 in August and has ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder. ...

You can find the [drupal=38]full post here[/drupal].

I've seen some horrible parenting at restaurants, and I applaud you and your wife for not being that kind of parent. A child is going to be a child, regardless of what you say or do to them, and if there's a situation like yours with the SPD adding into it, you just have to adapt.

I've seen everything from borderline physical abuse to downright psychological abuse delivered upon children in public places simply because the parents had the unreal expectation that their child would miraculously transform into a calm and rational adult the minute they left the house.

In Kentucky, there was one pair of 'parents' that made me glad that I haven't attended 'church' since I reached the age of reason (This isn't an attack on any faith, nor the followers of any faith. I simply disagree with the vocal minority and it's led me to my own path) when the child, simply being curious and enjoying her time out of the house wanted to look around the restaurant. After being scolded and having her hand slapped because she wasn't into simply sitting and eating, her parents pulled her back to the table forcefully and FORCED the child to pray over "What would Jesus think if he saw you acting like this?"

My response? And yes, it got me some dirty looks, but what the hell . . . "He'd celebrate the child's curiosity and willingness to learn, that's what."

So, Congrats to you and your wife for doing what you've done, man. Keep on keeping on, and let the other 'adults' look down on you all they want. As a fellow parent, I will always have your back.

D

Well i agree 100% with you guys. I have 2 little monsters (Morgan, she's 4 and Adelyn, She is 2) Anyway, morgan is EXTREMLY independant, and WILL NOT listen to anything anyone tell her (i'm working on that, i guess super nanny pays off) But in public i have been scoffed at for correcting her. I've told her, in a calm rational voice that if she dosent stop doing whatever she is doing i am going to bare her butt in front of all these people and spank her. A lady had the nerve to come up to me as i am kneeling down (not far as she is 4yrs old and 4' 1"tall) talking to my daughter and say "If you lay one hand on her i am going to call the police and have your children taken away from you!" Well needless to say I asked Amber to take the girls out to the Truck, After they were out of ear shot, i LOST MY MIND! I told that broad that if i eve see her or know someone that see's her or i think i see or know her talking to someone like that i am going to let her have it (i would never hit a woman, but the fear works wonders). I had several people butt in and agree with me on the fact that they were my kids, and the choice of punishments are mine and mine alone (as long as amber lets me). And if they aren't being beaten out of anger/hatred then it is ok. I am a big guy, 6'5" 220lbs, when i spank Morgan or Addie (trust me she is no angel, but she is only 2) it only takes one smack, i have their attention, and whatever they did or were about to do that was not good, stops. needless to say after a few times of physically correcting my kids, they know i mean buisness and think twice, just raising my voice, to tell them to stop works now. i haven't had to do anything for a while.

But they're my kids. I will not hurt them. I love them with all my heart and soul. But when their attention is elsewhere, a crack on the ass never hurts...long


Charlie

Yeah, I have seen some horrible stuff as well, and we have no illusions as to what our son is like. I have only gotten physical with my son in public a few times, most of the time it is to pick him up and toss him over my shoulder because we are leaving wherever we are. On a few occasions I grabbed him and smacked him, but that was because he tried to run away from me in a parking lot or someplace equally dangerous.

I can almost understand the non-parents who have unreasonable expectations of children in public, but I can't fathom the parents who have those expectations of kids, especially their own.

The dog coller is a good way to keep the little brats in line. I thought of
it when lokie was 2. Everytime we went to a store he would just have a
fit and run away. So I went to the pet store and got a dog body collar and
put it on him. Yes, people told me how wrong that was but I just said
" I know where my kid is, do you?" I used it for about 1 or 2 years.
I wonder if he remembers that? Don't think so but I did it.

Quote: Originally Posted by lokies_mom The dog coller is a good way to keep the little brats in line. I thought of it when lokie was 2. Everytime we went to a store he would just have a fit and run away. So I went to the pet store and got a dog body collar and put it on him. Yes, people told me how wrong that was but I just said " I know where my kid is, do you?" I used it for about 1 or 2 years. I wonder if he remembers that? Don't think so but I did it.

They actually sell the setup as a kid leash at Babies R Us, we didn't even have to improvise and it was a little easier to use.

One of the older folks who saw us in the park, lady must have been in her 90s, thought it was about time they made one for kids, 'cause she used the dog collar and leash with hers.

Quote: Originally Posted by DickNervous They actually sell the setup as a kid leash at Babies R Us, we didn't even have to improvise and it was a little easier to use. One of the older folks who saw us in the park, lady must have been in her 90s, thought it was about time they made one for kids, 'cause she used the dog collar and leash with hers.

Yeah but 35 years ago it was unheard of.

Quote: Originally Posted by lokies_mom The dog coller is a good way to keep the little brats in line. I thought of it when lokie was 2. Everytime we went to a store he would just have a fit and run away. So I went to the pet store and got a dog body collar and put it on him. Yes, people told me how wrong that was but I just said " I know where my kid is, do you?" I used it for about 1 or 2 years. I wonder if he remembers that? Don't think so but I did it.

LOL now you told us your little secret how you kept Lokie straight form getting or causing any trouble when he was young.

Quote: Originally Posted by ranger1033 LOL now you told us your little secret how you kept Lokie straight form getting or causing any trouble when he was young.

LOL I think he's the reason theres the term "You break it, you buy it."

Quote: Originally Posted by lokies_mom LOL I think he's the reason theres the term "You break it, you buy it."

I can not help my self and lol, but did it look like this leash and collar, and i know he will get me back for this but thought i have a little fun with him joking aside.

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I have four children. I *completely* understand where you're coming from. Usually, I'm very tough on them at home, and they behave better when we go somewhere. Unfortunately, with most families I see, it's the other way around...

And yes, I've used the "Kid-Leash" as well. My 4-year-old is nicknamed "Whirlwind" for a good reason.

Quote: Originally Posted by ranger1033 I can not help my self and lol, but did it look like this leash and collar, and i know he will get me back for this but thought i have a little fun with him joking aside.

No not like that at all. Full body collar, and I cut one strap so I could pull
it. I didn't want to choke him all the time...

Quote: Originally Posted by lokies_mom No not like that at all. Full body collar, and I cut one strap so I could pull it. I didn't want to choke him all the time...

You know that kind of reminds me what happen to me yesterday i went with a lady friend to have Chinese food, and it was pretty quiet when we walk maybe around 15 people there eating, we started having our buffet and all over sudden this lady walks in with 6 kids, yup that is right 6 kids none of them i would say where over 8 years of age, man it was like a episode of animal house when she walk in these kids where screaming and running like crazy up and down from the buffet to there table, my lady friend and i where like WTF is wrong with this lady and her kids she could not get them to stop screaming and running, it was not till the owner of the place went over to her and politely told her to make her kids mine or please leave.

Well to make a long story short she was escorted out of the place by the police and some sort of case worker along with her kids cause she had refused to leave.

It always make me wonder how people take care of there kids anymore it was not like this for me, if i did not mind my dad would whip my a$$.

Here is some food for thought....

In the US at either the Federal, State, or Local level you need to get permission (in the form of a license or permit) and/or pass a test to...

.... drive a car
.... sell food
.... own a pet
.... start a corporation
.... have a block party
.... hunt and in some cases fish
.... make changes to your home

but any butthead can have kids, at any age, and short of abusing them, can raise them any way they want.

And they wonder why the kids in this country are so messed up.....

Quote: Originally Posted by lokies_mom The dog collar is a good way to keep the little brats in line. I thought of it when Lokie was 2. Every time we went to a store he would just have a fit and run away. So I went to the pet store and got a dog body collar and put it on him. Yes, people told me how wrong that was but I just said " I know where my kid is, do you?" I used it for about 1 or 2 years. I wonder if he remembers that? Don't think so but I did it.

No wonder I like haven Pimpet whip and spank me....Thank you Mother, that explains so much to me....Now where is Pimpet, I have been a baaaaaaadddd boy.

On a serious note, I do remember when I was at the store with my mom, I was young and curious. I was poking some steaks feeling how soft they were, I don't know why but I was just poking them. Not hard enough to push through the plastic mind you. Well some lady noticed I was doing it and scolded me and my mom for letting me do so, my mom slapped me and said stop it. You should have seen the look on the ladies face, she said you didn't have to do that. My mom said you could tend to your own children...hehe which were in the process of ripping open a box of cereal and spilling all over the floor. My mom immediately asked if I was OK and apologized for her reaction to the lady.

All in all we are who we are and people need to show respect. What might offend one person will be appreciated by another, its just the way of life. To many people thrive on drama and don't respect someones else's place in life, where ever it may end up.

Do you still have that picture I gave you with me, your Dad, and you siting in
my lap. That was the age I had to do something. Heck, you where faster
then my kitten and shes fast.. But look at you now, I so proud.

I wouldn't care if you scolded, used duct tape, a leash or a bat...as long as I can eat in peace.