Our Little Barbarians

I am sorry for the parents who actually expect their children to behave and use manners when out in public. But too many parents have started to treat their children like free range chickens. They simply turn them loose on the public with no expectations for their behavior. I see kids running in stores, yelling and chasing each other, blocking aisles and messing up shelves. Throw a plate of food into the mix and it gets even uglier. They become loud and rude and some parents simply let them "do their thing" ruining the dining or shopping experience for everyone else. I also realize that there is a difference between a toddler being a toddler and an eight year old being obnoxious. A parent cannot always control the situation but to those who allow their kids to rule the rooster you are not doing them any favors. I was in a grocery recently being followed by two girls. We were in the snack aisle. They were grabbing bag after bag. When we went down the next aisle their mother was there with her cart. The girls threw their load into the cart expecting the items to be purchased. Mom protested and after a short but heated discussion the girls pulled the bags out and threw them on the shelving unit meant for canned fruit. Needless to say those chips were smashed. This is what I am talking about. Manners and good behavior is being ignored in rearing children. “We don't hate your kids,” she wrote. “We hate your parenting.” That says it all.

This is nothing new. Maybe 20 years ago we were vacationing on Sanibel Island. One of our favorite restaurants had been closed for re-decorating. We went the first morning for breakfast after it re-opened. Two couples were there, one with a toddler age child. That child proceeded to drop untold amounts of food on the new carpeting. I was amazed at the inaction of the parents and the other adults with them while this was going on. My heart went out to the owners of the restaurant and I admired their ability to keep their mouths shut. It's a good thing I wasn't the owner, those people would not have been invited back.

The video is something to see. I don't know how old that boy is, but he can't be more than 10 or 12. I can't believe the way he was yelling at the adults - every swear word he could think of. I predict a dismal future for him if he doesn't get a grip on his anger and his mouth. He's not a big kid, and one day he'll mouth off to someone bigger and meaner and it won't be pretty. They'll likely give him a beating he won't forget, and he'll deserve every punch.

PARENTING If you're askin' advice from me Forget all that psychology The rearin' of children It ain't so bewild'rin Be the model you want them to be

My wife parented with a wooden spoon. I used a slap across the rump. Nothing wrong with gentle corporal punishment. Done without anger.

There's that old saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Guess what, I'm a village elder and I'm telling you to make your child behave. Bet people who believe that old saying would be quite indignant if someone said that to them. Right?

Amen, Selwyn. Parents must start early. Very early. Expectations. “We do this” “We don’t do that” And be a good example…. I was a teenage mother when my first son was born. Corporal punishment was never even thought of because he wanted to be like the grownups from a very early age.

Wifey & I were in a casual restaurant and young kids were at a table nearby. You know the rest, but I said nothing, although obviously angry. As they went out, 'daddy' turned to us and said 'WE should have left the place'

It takes a village? Hillary got it wrong. In Swahili, the proverb “Asiye funzwa na mamae hufunzwa na ulimwengu” means roughly the same: "Whomsoever is not taught by the mother will be taught with the world." In Cleveland there was another similar aged boy, acting in a similar manner at another community center, only it was winter, he was bundled up in a black hoody...and had a very real looking toy gun, was mouthing off and threatening people, in the center and out in the styreet. The cops were called...his name was Tamir Rice. The same 'progressives' poutraged over his death, are also up in arms that other already feral kids get their hands on real guns and shoot up other children...or their teachers....or their own families. "Each new generation born is in effect an invasion of civilization by little barbarians, who must be civilized before it is too late." -Thomas Sowell

When children are recipients of participation trophies for just getting out of bed, obedience is out the window. Parenting is non-existent. Spanking, oh no, that's child abuse. Americans are soft.

The video of the kid beating up an asian boy on the school bus is a prime example of no parenting. Look who paid the price for the lack of parents to be parents. The story of the kid in Cleveland, is another example. Did the parents take the time to teach that kid to NEVER point a gun, toy or real at anyone. Would have saved the boys life. The parents went on to sue and were awarded millions which wasn't enough. Parents needed more. I am from a large family. NOT one of us kids ever hurt anyone else. But our parents took the time to teach us right from wrong and how to behave in public and respect people and their property It can be done!

I recall taking my son out to eat when he was about five (he's 18 now). A group of kids at another table were running around the restaurant acting like idiots. My son observed them and asked "What are those kids doing?" I responded "They're being bad!" My son never acted like that at a restaurant. He was raised to know how to behave at a dinner table, whether he was at home or out in public. As a Gen X-er, I was raised with certain behavioral expectations, and I raised my son with those same expectations. It's an indictment of Millennial parents that they are raising a generation of spoiled brats.

I lived in an age where kids dressed nice to go to a fast-food restaurant. I remember it was a treat to go to a McDonald's or Taco Bell. We also were told especially by my mom that if my brothers, sister and I acted up in public she would "beat the brakes off of us." I remember my dad telling me at 10 years old that if I acted up in any store, we went to he would beat me until he got tired. Now my dad is a USMC Vietnam War veteran. So, I took that as he'd to use my mom's term beat the brakes off of me. That was the late 70's early 80's. Now things have changed. To many parents are single work hard or don't work at all. They also don't care about what JaQuan, Bubba Ray or Erique are doing. They want to be their friend and not parent them. Speaking as a Black man I've seen why we as Blacks have problems with our kids. No parenting, no discipline, no manners no chance. Furthermore, if you bring any of this up you are called a coon, race traitor, boot licker, Step N Fetcher or shockingly a White Supremist (in Blackface) Ultra MAGA Trump supporting deplorable. There's a reason why the phrase, "you can't take them anywhere" is more prevalent now more than ever.

Parents is plural…not the actual fact often enough.

Nephews and nieces. One has 2 children who are respectful and well behaved. I hear a lot of "we don't do that." If the kids want to spend "device time" they must ask their parents for the device and explain why they want it. Military parents both. The other has 2 who have been absolutely uncontrolled selfish brats. At age 13 their daughter has decided she's trans so Momma moved with her to Minnesota because they're much more "accepting" there than Texas. Needless to say divorce followed thereafter. Psychologists (doctor?) both. You get my drift.

Thank You #13. I'm actually buoyed after reading your post.

When our daughter “graduated” kindergarten in 1995, she won a civics award because the teachers loved her good manners and her helpfulness. Hubby and I were raised in the South and we taught her good old southern manners including the words “ma’am” and “sir”.

I came close to punching out an obnoxious puke in a restaurant years ago when his kids were running wild. Two kids literally running around between tables at high speed, yelling and crashing into people trying to enjoy a meal. I finally looked at the parents and said, "Will you please control your children?" The guy jumped up and threatened me and I got up to respond, and it was about to the point where blows would begin when a friend of mine at the table stood up and stood between us and told the other guy to back off or he'd be dealing with both of us. And my friend said to him very calmly and quietly, "You need to control your children or leave." A few minutes later the parents gathered their brats and left in a huff. My wife was not amused, but while I am pretty mild mannered and genuinely love kids, I have some expectations of kids behaving properly for the location. What the kids were doing would have been perfectly wonderful on a playground in a park.....but not in quiet restaurant where there was little open space, and the atmosphere was quiet and calm. Any sensible adults should have been appalled at their own children's behavior, but these two were oblivious. Barbarians indeed. But the comment in the article, "We love your kids, but we hate your parenting." is perfect!

Pull out the belt ... and use it on the parents.