This post was written with parents of small children in mind. My children are now 7 & 9, but it wasn't all that long ago that I too, was at times, at the mercy of my mini-me's. :)
We've all seen it. The in public, OMG, this kid is having a total meltdown, scenario. At first you look on in horror and empathy for the parents and then you look away thinking you might be able to help them save face if you act like you didn't see anything. That's of course, if you're a parent. Some people who either have no children, or were blessed with other worldly angelic offspring, often look at the parents with utter contempt and disgust.
There are times when we observe the behavior of our own children and wonder, "where did we go wrong?" How could we have possibly reproduced children that display such anarchy? Then we begin to blame our spouse and their genetics vowing that it couldn't possibly have derived from our side of the family.
Either way you want to slice the DNA, these little people are a unique blend of both willing contributors. Uncensored, unfiltered, unadulterated little pieces of our combined DNA, flopping around, sassing, screaming and wreaking havoc! All hail the power of reproduction!!
It almost seems as if these kids are heck bent on destroying the last bit of sanity and dignity their parents may possibly possess.
Case in point, as I was in the grocery store the other day, I watched this poor couple put their children in one of those over-sized, kid loving, parent hating, monstrosities of a cart. The one with the pretend car attached to the front. This thing almost demands a license to operate. Taking a corner too sharp could clear a lower shelf full of product, very quickly and with very little effort. Especially if there are little hands and arms waiving out of it from the lower compartment. It's the cart guaranteed to intimidate all other shoppers.
Anyway, these parents got about half way into the store and both of their toddlers had the much feared, complete total meltdown. Their piercing screams reverberated through our very beings. The children then began falling sideways out of the cart and sliding onto the floor. They were NOT going to have any part of shopping that day!
As the situation often goes, they took the kids out of the cart, looking defeated and left the store. People around me were making comments. Mostly negative, of course. My heart went out to them because it was evident that they felt like failures as parents. The looks of disdain from those around them, I'm sure did not help the situation.
What we fail to understand is that these children are merely displaying what we ourselves often experience on the inside. They have not yet mastered the art self control. As a matter of fact, there are several adults I know that have not yet mastered the art of self control!
Incidentally, my youngest was notorious for throwing herself around and whining incessantly. One day I said to her, "what if I did that?" Then I would begin to act like her. She would then crack up laughing and realize how ridiculous it was.
Incidentally, my youngest was notorious for throwing herself around and whining incessantly. One day I said to her, "what if I did that?" Then I would begin to act like her. She would then crack up laughing and realize how ridiculous it was.
So the next time you see a tot in a tirade, have some mercy on the parents. And parents remember, this too shall pass. If guided correctly, they will learn self control and discipline. Reason does eventually cross paths with behavior resulting in peaceful cohabitation.
Hang in there. It really does get better!
© 2012 Gina Spindler
