So I am standing in a line at the food counter and a door slams into my side

[liberal N proud]

I turn and see a 6/7 year old kid signing the door open about to hit me again.
Not one apology, nothing from this kid. I say nothing trying to demonstrate some sort of forgiveness.

Then I notice it...

This kid is a mini freeper, on the front of his shirt was a picture of the chimp in chief with the inscription "I love the President"

First of all, I almost puked on the spot, a 7 year old being propagated like that, then I realize with the rudeness he demonstrated, this kid is being taught to be a radical republican right wing ass hole.

[Richardo]

1. 'propagated'?

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

[poverlay]

8. I would hazard a guess that the OP meant to say "propagandized". n/t

[hootinholler]

9. Great Movie! n/t

[TahitiNut]

10. Inconceivable!

:dunce:

[IA_Seth]

33. My name in inigo montoya.....

Best movie ever

[xultar]

2. Clearly it isn't the kids fault. Where was his parent? A swat on the ass

and a stern discussion would have solved that issue.

[trumad]

5. video games?

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[xultar]

14. Well I was speaking of the correct way to handle it...not as if their parents were capable

of handling it.

[Richardo]

19. ...because all conservatives sodomize their own children?

I must have missed that bulletin.

[Susang]

24. Apparently, that's how they discipline them

Didn't you know? :eyes:

[TahitiNut]

12. Lesson #1 For Kids: They ARE Responsible For Their Actions

Without that lesson, no other lesson can be learned.

[xultar]

26. True but if they have never been told...because their parents are idiots...

then I'd have an issue blaming a 6 to 7 year old. After 7 then it is time to go with group discipline.

[TahitiNut]

40. I think there's a "Reverse Nuremberg Principle" for children.

Whether or not a child is TOLD they're responsible for their own behavior doesn't change the FACT that they're responsible. The failure of a parent/guardian to instill this lesson cannot exonerate the kid. ("Two wrongs don't make a right"?) In my view, it merely implicates the parent/guardian in another 'wrong'.

I think it's one of the worst possible lessons to give a child: that they're somehow less culpable (or NOT culpable) for their behavior due to the shortcomings of a parent/guardian. That's a recipe for codependency and dysfunction, imho.

IMHO, it's just as 'wrong' to burden children with responsibilities (or worse, blame) for that which they cannot be reasonably mature enough to handle as it is to delay or exempt them from responsibilities for that which is comparable to their expected maturational level. Not only do parents know where the "Finish Line" is, so do children. It's 18 years of age. Whether any individual likes it or not, that's the "100% Responsible" line. It's called adulthood (or adultery?). Many believe it should be 21 years of age. Well, if that's the "Finish Line" then maybe ALL responsibilities (AND entitlements) of adulthood should be delayed until then. Consent. Driving. Contracts. Military service. Voting. Drinking. Smoking. I personally have a real problem with "licensing irresponsibility" - which, in the more extreme cases, creates anti-social and excessively self-centered personalities. (The biggest "hot buttons," of course, are consent and the military.)

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

3. You Should Have Said Something To The Miserable Little Shit

Taught him some frickin' manners, if only for 2 seconds in his pathetic "conservative" life.

People like that still make me think this country's future is FUBAR.

[Warpy]

4. "Nobody likes kids who hit"

is my all purpose response to kids like that. I don't care if their parents glare at me, fuck 'em. If they can't be bothered to teach the brat any manners, it's up to the rest of us, and I'm certainly willing to take on the job.

Words like that from strangers hit like a fist. That kid will remember.

[shadowknows69]

7. I never hit but when I got cross enough my mother's remedy was

a quick smack across the face. It usually ended my end of the conversation. B-)

[marions ghost]

41. I agree

I give sharp words to out-of-control kids too. Right in front of the parents, yes. I never say anything to the parents, only to the kids.

A week ago I was in a shop that had a lot of expensive glass and pottery laying around on low shelves. A couple of young boys were chasing each other around this stuff. The mother was oblivious. The clerk was busy, this being a sale. I just said "DON'T ...run in here" with a threat posture familiar to young primates. That's all. They looked shocked, like nobody ever told them off in their lives. They soon left.

Some parents are just leaving it to the rest of us.

[MonkeyFunk]

11. You could've crotch-kicked the little bastard

or stepped away from the door. Your choice.

[novalib]

15. Here Is What I Would Have Said To The Obnoxious BRAT

Here is what I would have said to the obnoxious FreeperDemonSpawn:

I my LOUDEST VOICE, I would have said, "MY, MY, DID YOU MOTHER NOT TEACH YOU ANY MANNERS???"

Then, I might have said, in a much lower voice, "How typical for someone who abuses children by dressing them in a shirt like THAT!"

[seabeyond]

18. humiliate the child. good parenting. rollin eyes.... n/t

[novalib]

21. NO! EMBARASS THE PARENT!

And introduce the child to the notion of "MANNERS"!!!

[seabeyond]

23. 6,7 the kids are only getting the concept of others in their world

it is not an all at once. and in the way of, or door hitting another if the child even sees, will have a challenging time putting it together with his action. the lesson, is in the adult helping hte parent reinforcing manners, with their own polite communication in what is expected of the child. not humiliation adn a tantrum of their own

[novalib]

27. "TANTRUM"??!!!

Are you possible saying that the reponse I would have given to the juniorFreeper (or, at best, Freeper-in-making) was a "TANTRUM" of my own?!?!?!?!?

IF the parent was indeed nearby (and it's not clear from the Original Post whether the parent was near the little demonspawn as he was misbehaving or whether the parent was off buying cigarettes to smoke in the car with the child), then the parent SHOULD HEAR what I would have said.

If not, then the demonspawn can go back to its parent and say, "Someone asked me if you ever taught me any manners. What are "manners", mommy?"

That should provoke a discussion between the demonspawn and its parents.

[seabeyond]

31. this whole post shows a tantrum, not to mention a lack of knowledge

or willingness to give to this child.... child development and ages able to perform these social graces. but further, instead of teaching the child kindness, as we would hope responsible adults give to children, ergo sitting a good example, you will teach a child your own form of bigotry because of a print on a tshirt.

[novalib]

32. It Must Be SO NICE.....

It must be SO VERY NICE to sit on such a HIGH PLACE and deign to dispense insights of great wisdom to the rest of us, who are but mere mortals.

Thank you SO VERY MUCH for being OUR JUDGE and JURY!!!

You are simply too kind.

We are not worthy.

[seabeyond]

35. kinda ironic the harsh judgment on child and parent cause of a tshirt

that i challenge, to only be accused myself of such a superior judgment. yep. a fit of giggles.

[novalib]

39. My, My!

If I didn't know any better, I might be inclined to say that someone's feelings are hurt.

Either that, or someone is being a little bit passive/agressive.

Again, many thanks to you for sitting in judgment.

I must be ever so nice to know exactly what behavior the rest of us should exhibit.

You are so wonderful.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[marions ghost]

42. humiliate?

LOL

Many kids who don't know how to behave in public are beyond humiliation. You just have to stop the behavior. Show them that society won't tolerate it, even if their parents will. Tough luv.

[TahitiNut]

43. "humiliate the child"??

If the child's own behavior isn't humiliating enough for that child, then it's entirely within reason (imho) to "assist" them in recognizing a need to feel humiliated. "It takes a village."

I see nothing wildly disproportional in responding to a physical assault with a verbal correction. In some instances, swinging a door into an adult could result in injury to the adult - possibly serious. My 86-year-old mother might sustain an injury under such circumstances, for example.

The (even unstated) 'theory' that the child's behavior is solely the responsibility of a parent/guardian is wrong, I believe, as I noted above. Clearly, there's enough 'blame' to go around - both parent and child. As a functioning participant in society, other adults not only have the 'right' to give such corrective feedback - I think we have a duty to do so. It'd be irresponsible, imho, to keep silent regarding such behavior until it becomes a law enforcement matter.

[marions ghost]

47. that's how I see it too

it's about community responsibility. Adults have a duty to react negatively when kids are running amok.

We Americans are so afraid of each other. And so insular. Many cannot relate to the meaning of "It takes a village."

[ProgressiveFool]

16. Yeah, they do get them while they're young...

Reminds me of a time when I was in Bakersfield, CA, painting a house my mother owned there. I was staying in the empty house, not bothering with any really good clothes because of course I'd get paint on them, why bother shaving and all that, and was living off of trips down the street to 7-11 for food.

On my way back from the 7-11 one evening after a day of painting, this wretched little kid on a bicycle takes a look at me in my less than immaculate clothing and pipes, "Why don't you get a job, you bum?!" and races off into the distance. If I were Hispanic he'd probably round up his little friends for a lynch mob!

I swear, it's like they send them to Camp Heartless or something.

[MonkeyFunk]

20. I know!

Last month I was at Wendy's and this kid about 11 months wearing a little shirt with an elephant on it SHIT HIS DIAPER! Right there in the restaurant!!!

Fucking freeper babies.

[Ilsa]

28. Are you being sarcastic? What's with that post about an 11 month old?

I'd really like to know what your expectations are for a infant less than a year old. Why? Because I'd really like to understand where people's tolerance for babies and children is these days.

[MonkeyFunk]

30. Am I being sarcastic?

No :sarcasm:

[seabeyond]

17. or he is just a 7 yr old that didnt realize he hit you, or apology necessary

it takes time for a kid to put that together and 7 really is pretty young. generally, already forgiven, cause after all what is there to forgive, i would bend down to eye level of child and in kindness, say.... say sorry for hitting me with door. smile, not intimidating or mad, but slowly teaching him about the world around him being affected by his actions. in other words.... in love

[MonkeyFunk]

22. freeper-coddler

didn't you read? The kid voted for the Iraq War Resolution and spent $8,400 on a dress! Wait... which thread is this again?

[seabeyond]

25. bh hahahah. or child lover. hey, had a giggle with your post

above too. you are funny

[Gold Metal Flake]

29. Just tell him "Stop It!"

Turn, level him with a serious "but not angry" gaze and say, loudly (but not yell) STOP IT. Pointing a little helps. Let the child know that:

The behaviour is unacceptable

You will not "allow" it to happen

His parent or guardian now knows what is up.

This also brings attention of all nearby to what is happening, hopefully shaming the parent/guardian/cagemaster/sack-o-shit/whatever into action.

No need to go any further.

Man, adults used to do that to me all the time when I was acting like a little shit in a store (not that often, but I was a little shit often enough). It's basic parenting 101.

[nini]

38. I agree...

Speak up and let the kid know what he's doing isn't ok.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

34. Was there any way to move aside?

If not, could you have held the door open, and just given the child a look? I would have done that, and then asked, "Where are your parents?"

[nini]

37. I'm not quite sure what bothers me about this post.

The kid was misbehaving - the issue is he was misbehaving but yet you are more angry because his parent's are freepers.


I've got a wake up call for anyone who thinks parents who don't discipline their kids are strictly freeper types. Not true, there are stupid parents in all walks of life.


I know die hard Dems who have kids that are obnoxious too - shocking as that may be too everyone! Those kids make me as crazy as any other kid that doesn't behave and has parents that just don't seem to want to be bothered to keep their kids in line.

[liberal N proud]

44. It wasn't the misbehaving or the lack of discipline

I am a father and I know full well that my children are no angles. It just was "not surprised moment" when I noticed the T-shirt.

[TahitiNut]

46. Well, some children are obtuse. Some are acute.

And some act sheerly reflexively. Angles? I think they all are. :evilgrin:

[nini]

48. the point I tried to make

the shirt shouldn't have made a difference really. Bad parents are bad parents. Being a freeper just makes them a bad parent who's political views are different than yours.

Now, if you were talking about snotty children of privelege, then I could see the point that they are being raised with the entitlement issue. But, it didn't sound like it in this case.

[Richardo]

49. It's the straight and narrow for your kids, eh?

"No angles" :D

[marions ghost]

45. good point, unfortunately

where I live a lot of the kids I encounter are "above average" and their parents are not freepers. But many of these parents are indulgent and oblivious to their children's behavior in public. They are just as bad as the unruly, over-indulged freeper kids. There's a little difference in style, but basically it's the same pattern.

You really notice it at this time of year. There's such a contrast between children whose parents have taught them some boundaries and parents who haven't bothered. My Dad has sworn off going to any more weddings in his lifetime. He says at the ones he's been to in the last few decades the parents just let the kids go wild, knocking into the adults and creating mayhem. He doesn't enjoy it at all.

[RB TexLa]

50. I don't even bother looking at people that bump into me or bump things

into me. Just continue about my business.

[Moderator]

51. locking....

This is flamebait.