Topic: Open letter for Parents

[Don_Coyote]

...don't feel bad about getting the "bad parent" stare ...they're all a bunch of pansies, anyway. Either they don't know what it's like to have kids, or they don't know how to teach their kids right and wrong. I've never had kids myself, but I know what it's like on the learning end, I know what it's like to be diciplined, and since I'm the eldest of 12, I've seen it done many, many times. Here's another thing we can't FULLY blame on AAFES, if kids are making all that noise and mess in the store, it's the parents obligation to teach them not to, NOT the store manager. Then again, they should throw people out for having these bad-a** little punks running amok .

[slowstang88]

i am not dis agreeing with you about kids running wild, but as for the tantrums... my first child was (and still is) very calm, quiet, anf well behaved.. the second one has a mind of his own.. i used to judge parents that had a screaming child, but things are different now for me and the wifey. our 2 year old gets scolded very firmly in public and spanked in private, but hes still very headstrong. stuff happens, theres no excuse for kids running rampant in stores, but the loud ones may just be that... LOUD!!!

[quixiotic]

We have a policy in our family, the 20mo/old rides in front, the 3 year old in the back, she can get down if she wants but if we lose sight of her, back in the cart she goes.  She's very mild mannered though, the 20mo/old, he just wants to be held, so far so good.

[Cowboy]

I still judge parents for their screaming children.  I have 4 girls.  5 yr old, 4 yr old, twin 3 yr olds.  They don't throw tantrums in the store.  They barely throw tantrums at home.  All tantrums get them is a swat on the arse and some time in the corner.  I do both for tantrums (unless at a store, then they just get a swat on the arse, hopefully in front of some lady that dares challenge the fact that I spank).  I don't put up with it, so they don't do it.  They are still wild children, testing their bounds on a daily basis, but they know how to show respect.  "Yes Sir, No Sir; Yes Ma'am, No Ma'am"   They call the neighbors Mr. and Mrs.  They'll ask for something at the store, and I usually tell them 'no', and they're okay with it.  They give me that sad puppy dog look, but I'm a dick, so they still don't get it.  I don't feel the need to buy my children everything they suddenly must have while in the store.  They already have more toys than they play with, so why add to the monstrosity that is the toy bin?  Oh, and they don't run amuck in the store either.  If they want to walk instead of ride, they do.  And they walk holding each others hands, which ever one is in front holds my belt loop.  They can play when we get home.

I also have to disagree with your age bracket DC.  <2 is allowed to cry/scream/whine/whatever.  It's annoying, but there's not much a parent can do to appease them.  Older than that and their comprehension level is high enough to understand that screaming does nothing more than hurt their throat and my ears. 

[TheFreud]

I also have to disagree with your age bracket DC.  <2 is allowed to cry/scream/whine/whatever.  It's annoying, but there's not much a parent can do to appease them.  Older than that and their comprehension level is high enough to understand that screaming does nothing more than hurt their throat and my ears. 

Gotta disagree with that there Hoss... Unless a 2 year old is used to getting what they want when they scream, they have little reason to do it. Unless it is the first time in a store, in which case, remove them from the situation. The only other reason for that kind of screaming is injury... maybe from me or Cowboy pinning his parent between my cart and the wall, and the child being sideswiped in the process. 

Point being, if they start being taught from day one, by the time they hit 15 months, or 2 yrs old, or 5... they already know better. Yes they will push it and test it. It may be a pain, but you CAN indeed leave the BX without what you came there for, or leave a full cart standing there and go to the car, dragging a screaming child in tow, if that is what it takes to make a point.

Don't skip out on the fun parts of parenting, like humiliating your kids in public because it is inconvenient to stop what you are doing and be a mom or dad.

[Don_Coyote]

I see where you're coming from , Cowboy. But, MY thing is, they don't understand embarassment that young. But if they're old enough, and they think they can get away with whatever, they'll soon see the folly in their ways when they get swatted, and start crying in front of everyone.

[Cowboy]

My kids don't understand embarrassment yet, but trust me, when they're older, they will.  Whether they do anything to deserve it or not.  I'm their Dad, it's one of my perks.    I still think mowing my lawn in a tutu the first time they bring a boy home is still the best idea I've heard to date.

[Prplneon]

My kids don't understand embarrassment yet, but trust me, when they're older, they will.  Whether they do anything to deserve it or not.  I'm their Dad, it's one of my perks.    I still think mowing my lawn in a tutu the first time they bring a boy home is still the best idea I've heard to date.

That should do it.  I think I'll use that one on my 18 year old step son...  'cept I have no grass to mow...

[piss.on.aafes]

My husband, son (7yrs old), and I were at the PX.  We were looking a light sabers, quietly, without disturbing anyone around us.  A three, maybe four year old boy comes up to my husband and snatches the light saber right out of his hand, then proceeds to poke him in the face with it.  I calmly pushed the stupid toy away and told the little boy "NO".  I have no idea who this kid was and why he was being so rude.  We then looked around for his parents...and do you think they were any where around?  hell no.  Stop letting your kids run ramped through the store by themselves.  Especially at that age, when you should have already taught them better.  My seven year old touches nothing in the store without first asking me and he definitely doesn't run around screaming.  I put a stop to that before he could walk.

[unhappyone]

Many time my self and my wife have gone to AAFES theaters and have been ashamed of the behavior of the children present, especially the one that drop their kids off at an R rated movie. It is time for parents to start controlling their children

[Disgruntled]

I know what you mean about the movies, but my gripe is more with the parents who drop their progeny off in the PX and then go to the commissary. I'm not talking pre-teens or teens--I'm saying that there are parents that drop off their five and six y/o kids with a buck or two for the food court and then LEAVE. I cannot tell you how many times the MPs have fetched some little kid from the parking lot because he was crying and looking for his mommy and daddy.

People, the stores on base are NOT there to babysit for you! If you want to shop without your kids, hire someone to take care of them. It is a lot cheaper than having your kid stolen or your career ended because of child neglect charges. If they are older, remind them that when they come into the stores that they BETTER NOT SHOPLIFT! It doesn't just get their stealing little butts in trouble, it also can screw your career.

So, even if you don't give a damn about your kids, if you value your career and want to retire with your benefits, curb those kids!