Ok first, I am not judging anyone,and I do not know everything about parenting. I learn as I go along just like everyone else.
I am 28, and it seems like my generation overall (not everyone) has given up on parenting. Letting your kids do whatever they want and running all over you and everyone else is NOT doing them any favors. You are setting them up for failure in life.
I see it all the time. Child gets on the table at a restaurant, the mom or dad says "Will you please get down?" Ok, first...No will you...GET DOWN! No need to yell. Lower the voice to "the tone". This should come natural as a mother. Don't ask. They know getting on a table is not ok. Why are you asking?
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The child throws a fit somewhere and mom or dad says "Stop it or we will leave, don't make me count to three...one...two...three....one...two...two and a half..." Really? Come on! That child is now thinking sucker!
Some of you try and take it to the extreme like the photo shown. Now, come on...a leash is not needed. I get that some kids have some behavior issues due to things like Autism, RAD from being abused (Can you tell I hang out with a lot of foster/adoptive parents?) , or other things, but most kids do not need a leash. Learn about RAD here
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My daycare lady can look at 18 month old kids going on a walk and simply say "NOT OK!" in a tone of voice and they stop running towards the street and turn around. She also starts time out at age two. Discipline from the beginning.
My son has never ran from me in a parking lot, the street, etc. We started at age two with a game of red light green light. Red means stop. If he didn't he would just look at me and walk slowly to be defiant. Well, did I let it slide? NO! One time gives them the thought that they can try next time. I took him home and put him on time out for not listening. So, he did not get to go for a walk and got a time out.
There have been times in the grocery store that he wandered off on me. Not too far, but I have even put him on time out in the isle of the store. You have to deal with it and if it is bad enough leave. Do that a few times and they see that you mean what you say.
It is all about follow through.
I mean...let's follow through with our kids and stop doing them "favors" with all of this coddling. They are going to grow up. Do you want them to grow into functioning members of society or defiant people that are not willing to follow authority? How is that going to work for them in a job?
