YELLING at kids can cross line if personal (Grandma does hard time)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution | 1/08/04 | MARLON MANUEL

[Libloather]

TIPS FOR SCREAMING PARENTS

• If your kid has you frustrated to the point of screaming, walk away, recover your cool.

• Recognize how your child's behavior makes you feel. If you're chronically annoyed, it may be a signal he or she actually needs more attention.

• If you blow up at your child, recognize the mistake and apologize. You'll build credibility as a parent.

-- Sources: Active Parent Publishing, WellStar Health System

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[KantianBurke]

Two wacks. The kid learns respect and to behave.

[DoughtyOne]

I'm with you. Children today have been empowered to the point of their own destruction. To hell with sensitivity training for adults. The message at school, in the media and everywhere else should be that children respect their elders and mind. EOS

[WV Mountain Mama]

My parents even had a wooden spoon in the car in case we got out of line at a restaurant or church. We got pinches and look out if you got to three. My mom also used to say that she never used to swear until she had kids. If I had to raise 3 daughters, the teenage years would drive me crazy!

[Calpernia]

I really see a terrible precedent being set here by this case.

[DoughtyOne]

I would add, the only group rivaling lawyers in their quest to destroy this nation, is the psycobable industry and those they have befuddled in the process.

[Cicero]

Regardless of whether screaming at a kid is a good idea, I find this story extremely bizarre.

If the grandmother was taking care of her granddaughter, it most likely was because her mother abandoned or abused her. Maybe she should have refused to accept the responsibility of taking care of a difficult child?

Will this kid do better in a state foster care system while her grandmother is in jail? I doubt it.

[Nachum]

You want children?
Are You Ready for Children?

Mess Test: Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Now rub your hands in the wet flowerbed and rub on the walls. Cover the stains with crayons. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.

Toy Test: Obtain a 55-gallon box of Lego's. (If Lego's are not available, you may substitute roofing tacks or broken bottles.) Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream. (This could wake a child at night.)

Grocery Store Test: Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop at the grocery store. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.

Dressing Test: Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all arms stay inside.

Feeding Test: Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a stout cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal (such as Fruit Loops or Cheerios) into the mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.

Night Test: Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8 - 12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 8:00 PM begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 PM. Lay down your bag and set your alarm for 10:00 PM. Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing these too until 4:00 AM. Set alarm for 5:00 AM. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.

Physical Test (Women): Obtain a large beanbag chair and attach it to the front of your clothes. Leave it there for 9 months. Now remove 10 of the beans.

Physical Test (Men): Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.

Final Assignment: Find a couple who already has a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training, and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run riot. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you will have all the answers.

In 1900, a happy meal was when Father shared funny stories around the table.

Today, a happy meal is what Dad buys at McDonald's.

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In 1900, a father was involved if he spanked the kid now and then.

Today, a father's involved only if he coaches Little League and organizes Boy Scouts and car pools.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 1900, when fathers entered the room, children often rose to attention.

Today, kids glance up and grunt, "Dad, you're invading my space."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 1900, fathers threatened their daughters suiters with shotguns if the girl came home late.

Today, fathers break the ice by saying, "So...how long have you had that earring?"

Child sent to bed
A small boy is sent to bed by his father...

[Five minutes later]

"Da-ad..."

"What?"

"I'm thirsty. Can you bring me a drink of water?"

"No. You had your chance. Lights out."

[Five minutes later]

"Da-aaaad..."

"WHAT?"

"I'm THIRSTY...Can I have a drink of water??"

"I told you NO! If you ask again I'll have to spank you!!"

[Five minutes later]

"Daaaa-aaaAAAAD..."

"WHAT??!!"

"When you come in to spank me, can you bring me a drink of water?"

[sistergoldenhair]

Now she politely, but firmly, gives her children choices: Would you like to clean your room, or leave it dirty and not see your boyfriend tonight?

And what are you going to do when your children say "ef you"?

When she does that, we know that she really means it.

But we know she can't do anything. Heck, she's not even allowed to yell.

[BenLurkin]

Concur.

[Brad’s Gramma]

I really see a terrible precedent being set here by this case.

I'm with you, big time.

[ladyinred]

I can't even believe this one. It seems to me the more I read the more nuts this society has become. The thought, word, and deed police are everywhere, and it ain't W's fault!

[jatfla]

Having been a child raised by strict parents, I know what it means to feel unloved. Having been a parent, I know what it feels like to have lost control of my children's behavior (as teen-agers) and now as a Grandparent, taking care of two little ones, I still recognize what it's like to be on both sides of the issue. Now they KNOW I love them, cause I hug them and tell them; but I fan their behinds if they are insolent or overtly disobedient. If I swore at them or wished they had never been borne, then I would get on my knees and beg forgiveness; from them and from God.

[ladylib]

And you go to jail.

[WackyKat]

Find a couple who already has a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training, and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run riot. Enjoy this experience.

As a childless person, I have a lot of fun doing this.

Hehe.

[raybbr]

Cut, pasted and printed. Very funny, indeed.

[Calpernia]

I am pretty speechless over this one. I'm not even going near whether this grandmother was or wasn't out of line.

The fact that this went to court and created a legal precedent....has redefined the legal definition of child abuse and has set the stage for more legal stupidity.

[ladylib]

When your kid say "ef you" just send her to any one of the marvelous public schools in FL which have resource officers who carry taser guns and use them:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1053866/posts

[ladyinred]

Exactly. I am not condoning what grandma said either, it is just the very idea that bothers me.