Where have all the Parents gone?
 

Just got back from Vons/Pavillions grocery store.
These parents ( I use this word loosely) were letting their two young kids ride their "razors" up and down the isles of the store coming close to crashing into us and other shoppers. WTF???

Clothesline 'em!

I'd have no heartache "accidentally" tripping up an ********* kid. Perhaps they'd learn the lesson that their parents are failing to teach them: actions have consequences.

Be careful not to hinder their "self esteem" and "creativity"...:rolleyes:

They are just being allowed to develop the free spirit we will need to ensure the country will succeed in the future.

Famous words said on the road to He11.

Minkoff, you don't shop at Walmart too much and neither do I, But, in your area of upscale demographics, I can't imagine the scene you describe. Walmart, yes. I was even in a Walmart once this year down your way near Foothill Ranch. What a freakin' zoo, even in So. OC. But, Pavilions is not cheap and doesn't seem to attract the WM crowd. It simply goes to show you that money and good parenting DON'T go hand in hand.

Frankly, I always preferred to work for Mr. and Mrs. Average rather than the GenXers with new money.

Here's the best one: A person makes an appointment to look at some proposed work at a home. Not too far into the conversation, one or more of the kids interrupts. Well, that can be excused the first time. But, the parent taking time for the kids at the guest's expense is the rudest thing I encounter. Happens every day. It's gotten so I only want to give estimates at 10 PM. Serious and successful home improvement sales persons have all kids of tricks to control this. I know how too, but one has to be really aggressive and condescending at once. And, the best part, the good salesfolks can outlast the kids even if it takes 'till midnight. Fukit.

I sold 7 out of 10 in the old days after two shots of vodka and a mint just before going in the front door at 7:30 PM. Yes, I was good under the circumstances. Can't do that anymore. Don't even want to think about it. People aren't worth a *****.

But, there's your world. Enjoy.

Zeke come on down i am buyiny sushi

Someone here recommended "Reviving Ophelia" for those of us raising young girls. The author points out that there are two main components to parenting: control and affection.

There is a scale for each component. Control runs from very permissive at one end of the scale to authoritarian at the other end. Affection can be low to high, or possibly abusive.

The author's observation after years of being a therapist is that the most well balanced kids are a result of a high level of control (but short of authoritarian) combined with a high level of affection. I think a lot of kids today are raised in very permissive yet affectionate households - which results in things like kids riding Razors through grocery stores.

There's a good chance that when those two boys are older teens, the parents are going to be wondering where they went wrong.

Be careful to not be seen by one of the thousands of cameras at the store if you're gonna trip/clothesline them... Heck, it was within the last year that a woman in Houston got 5pm news time for spanking her own child. :mad:

I can see the National news now... Fed up customer sued/under arrest for... well just about anything these days!!!

(insert your own opinion on attorney's here!!)

Parents is plural... Divorce rate is over 50% of newly weds... Takes 2 to make em....and 2 to raise em.

The mom who brought the kids to the store is probably trying to figure out how to text message the babysitter to get dinner started, whilst trying to balance her checkbook, put on her new mascara, double check the grocery list, make sure her bra strap isn't hanging out...etc..etc.

Children need rules and structure from their parents in addition to lots of Love and support... If Mom and Dad needed more friends they should have joined a bowling league.

HelmetHead

I was at a supermarket the other day and a little girl was going banzai on those little 'wheelies' shoe/skate things - parent(s) nowhere to be found. She almost impaled herself on my cart, but it didn't faze her one bit. Next time I won't be taking an extraordinary evasive countermeasures...