Beware travelers with bratty kids
"Peter R." wrote in message
...
On 1/25/2007 10:54:46 AM, "Matt Barrow" wrote:
That is ALWAYS the way it starts (see: "BUT IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN").
Hey, I am just as critical of that attitude as the next guy and I am a
tough
disciplinarian to my three little boys, but since having children I have
moved from "the high and the mighty know-it-all" to one who has just a bit
more compassion, even for the obvious bratty kids. After all, it is not
their
fault they are that way.
But, the reality is that even the best of children might attempt to cross
the
line on occasion, be it due to exhaustion, low blood sugar or just human
nature. Disciplining a child in front of an airplane-full of passengers is
not always the easiest choice (especially in lieu of these new, silly
anti-spanking laws), and walking off the aircraft to handle the child is
understandably tough, too. Without knowing the parents or actually
witnessing
the situation, my first, apparently contrarian position is one of
compassion
rather than condemnation.
Well, my kids are in their 20's now, but we never had a problem because, 1)
we nipped bad behavior in the bud from the time they were infants (NOTE: We
never spanked/hit any of the three), and 2) we prepared them for social
settings, and 3) we made sure they were prepared for the days affairs (i.e.,
naps, health, properly fed, no caffeine/sugar before hand...
If the parents behavior is any indication, the kid is just naturally
following what transpires _all the time_ at home. For that I have ZERO
compassion (i.e., mental juvenile delinquents breeding kids).
Matt Barrow
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