Yesterday, I was enjoying a quiet moment to myself (no kids) at a favorite local restaurant. A large family group -- 6 adults and 5 kids -- settled in at the next table. As I read my book, I could overhear snippets of conversation. Before food arrived, I heard the mom threaten 'time-out' twice to one child or another. I considered moving to another table, but I really liked my spot there on patio.
When the food arrived, the little girl (she was 4) was very excited to see her oatmeal arrive. Soon, tho, she wasn't so happy, because it wasn't as tasty as she expected. Then, she complained that she didn't want the milk her mom had ordered for her. She wanted root beer, like her older brother (J) and cousins were having.
Little girl said "I want root beer. Why can't I have it?"
Mom said, "No, because you're not old enough."
"But J has root beer."
And Mom actually said, "The restaurant said no one younger than 5 can have soda."
Does this mom actually think her daughter won't figure out that's a lie? Maybe not today, but someday. More likely, daughter will learn that Mom lies -- to get her own way, and to shut off any further discussion.
And someday the parents will wonder why their little girl lies to get her way and to keep them out of her business.....
I just really can't go out in public anymore without being saddened at the way adults treat children.
