Spending time with extended family who have questionable parenting skills is painful. Watching the impact these poor skills are having on my beloved nieces and nephews is painfully frustrating.
1. When your child has a difficult time transitioning and you tell them it is time to leave, you need to leave. You don’t just sit there for 35 minutes saying, “get your shoes, it’s time to go” while your child alternates between screaming “no” and ignoring you.
2. When your child, who is not potty trained although they are well past the appropriate age, refuses to have their diaper changed, that is not the time for bargaining, bribing, and cajoling. That is the time for decisive action to complete the task with minimal fuss. You do not necessarily need their permission.
3. When your child hits their cousin, you should not say in a sickly sweet voice, “oh sweetie, don’t hit, that’s not nice”. It’s called a time out.
4. When your child says “no” to you, that is not the time to get a “deer in the headlights” look on your face and back down. You need to understand that you are the adult and that you need to teach your child. You are not doing them any favors by letting them become spoiled rotten children who believe everyone should comply with their wishes.
5. When 6 adults in a family have finally agreed on a restaurant, the complaints of a 12 year old should not change the decision, regardless of her pouting prowess.
6. When a child refuses to eat anything but potato chips, the chips should be removed.
I have a lot more, but I think the vent is over for now. To be continued…
S -)
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