12 Parents in Need of an Intervention
Let me start by saying I am not innocent. I am guilty of more than one of these parental blunders. Hell. I stand convicted of at least half of them. That being said, I and the other moms and dads guilty as charged of these parenting crimes must be stopped. It is for the good of mankind and it is necessary to ensure future generations continue to opt for procreation and carry on the human race.
Some of you may not know that what you are doing is highly annoying to those around you. Others may be aware, but just aren’t sure how to break the habit.
The first step on the path to recovery — to becoming a pleasant parent to be around — is admitting you have a problem. Are you guilty, too?
Here are 12 parents in need of an intervention:
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Parents that talk on their phones at the playground
I appreciate your dedication to achieving three stars on every level of Angry Birds Rio, but your kid is being a real pain over there by the slide. Put down the smart phone and parent.
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Parents who put you on the phone with their kid
I called to talk to you, not to have a nonsensical conversation with Junior in the moments before he goes rogue on the buttons and accidentally hangs up on me.
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Parents that buy their daughters sexy clothing
Under no circumstance should your 12-year-old's midriff be exposed and her rear end is not the place for the word "Juicy" in block letters.
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Pregnant women with highly specific birth plans
Oh! You are going to have an all natural, drug-free, water birth on a sunshiney day with highs in the mid 70s three weeks from your due date? Please. Tell me more about how you are above epidurals even though you have yet to experience your first contraction.
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Parents who refer to their children's age in months
Your kid is five and a half, not sixty-five months old. (Psst! You sound crazy.)
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Parents who are overly competitive at children's sporting events
It's little league, not the olympics. The referee isn't even keeping score and no matter what happens everyone gets a trophy. The sideline shouting and your bulging neck vein aren't necessary. Simmer down.
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Parents who always think their child is the victim
Here's a lesson every parent should learn: Sometimes your kid is just being a dick. We all have those days. There's no need to lawyer up over a school ground squabble.
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Parents whose children eat 100% organic
I get it. My kid's steady diet of hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and macaroni and cheese repulses you.
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Parents who buy their children designer clothing
I could pay my car payment with the money you spent on your kid's red, chiffon, tiered party dress. That's not okay.
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Parents who put their kids on a leash
It's a child. Not a puppy. I realize they both sometimes lick your face, so there could be some confusion.
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Parents still preparing their 5-year-old's dinner in a blender
If your kindergartener is still eating Gerber Puffs, you may have a problem.
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Parents who think their infants are talking
"Did you hear that? Little Johnny just said democracy! Say it again for mommy!" Little Johnny has barely mastered proper neck control. I highly doubt he has mastered multi-syllable words.
Photo Credits: iStock
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12 Tips and Ideas for Your Child’s First Day of School Photo
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I just can’t get on board with the leash one, going through an airport with a “high energy” child necessitates a leash!
hmmmm, I’m finding this to be rather contradictory. Have you ever had a child run off the second their out of the car or stroller, and you already have another child to hold hands with? It’s rather like the pregnant mum who hasn’t had a contraction yet, don’t judge until you’ve been there. I have a ‘dog leash’ for my 1 1/2 year old because he’s terribly unsafe but wants to walk. Also, who cares what people spend on their kids clothes, it’s all relative to their income, rather like some peoples car loans cost more than my house each money.
I don’t have a problem with parents that put kids on a leash. No they aren’t puppies, but kids who may run and run into danger. Both of mine ran like the wind, had language delays and wouldn’t stop if I told them to, because they didn’t understand what I was saying to them. I didn’t use a leash, but would it have been better to let them run into traffic or go off with a stranger? You cannot tell by looking at many children if they have a disability. Safety is paramount.
Anyone who objects to a leash has not had to stand on a long bus commute, holding onto something over your head and having your arm jerked back and forth by movement not your own. I do that regularly, so it’s not hard for me to decide that a leash–if I need one–is preferable.
I’m guilty of the healthy eating one. I’m not crazy into organics, I just prefer healthy meals. Homemade baby food, fruits and veggies every day, homemade whole wheat crackers, the whole deal. I have finally starting getting off my high horse because my kid has been in public school for a few years. Some parents lack the food prep skills, interest, and money to prepare healthy meals for their kids. They are grateful for the free school meals that provide their children with food the parents could not otherwise afford to provide.
I feel grateful that I have the time, money, and cooking skills necessary for preparing healthy meals. I didn’t do it all by myself. I had many, many people who taught me kitchen skills as I was growing up and had access to nutrition classes. I have been very fortunate. It’s not fair for me to hold other people up to my standards. I suck at doing my taxes, so math whizzes could just as easily look down at me.
I have no issue with the leash! I think it is a vital safety tool. My child loves to run and walk and is at the point where she doesn’t yet understand me. My siblings were put on a leash when we went to amusment parks and Disney World. I definately think the title should be re-evaluated. Because for one saying don’t judge others parenting skills this author sure does judge…A lot.
I feed my kids mostly organic because healthy eating is very important to me and I think it’s paid off in well-behaved, healthy children. I try not to advertise that fact because I don’t want people thinking I’m uppity and pretentious. It stretches my budget and causes me to think outside the box to make it affordable.
I cloth diaper my kids because it saves me money, not because it’s good for the environment or them (although those are added bonuses), and only when it’s convenient (i.e., not on an outing). It is amazing how people can come across as holier-than-thou with their parenting preferences, and I hope I can give people food for thought regarding my choices, not make them feel like they have to clam up lest they be judged.
This list is hypocritical in it’s judgmental nature. Many people find leashes to be a safer choice in some situations. Many parents prefer organic food because of additives and chemicals found in non organic products. And many first time moms have a birth plan because they want to have a birthing experience that is comfortable for them. Why judge someone because they don’t want to have an epidural if you don’t want to be judged for having one?
I have no problem with parents who put their children on” leashes”.We have used a harness restraint for our 31/2 year old son for over 2 years now.We use it only in places and situations where and when he could become lost,injured,or abducted.He has worn his harness(which is also a cute teddy bear back-pack)on both rims of the Grand Canyon,Bryce and Zion,Grand Tetons and any time we hike anywhere close to a ledge or cliff.He also wears it at theme parks,College and professional sporting events,crowded festivals and when we walk near busy streets.We hold his hand and keep the “leash” part around our own wrists.Yes-we get glares,but we could care less as he is a well traveled,well mannered and curious child.
Putting a choke collar on a child is bad parenting but a leash or harness proved to be wonderful for my child and myself. She loved it. People should mind their own businessess. As long as your child is being raised with manners, to respect the rights of others and general values who cares. A spat on the old butt never hurt anyone either. Gets their attention. Now all you politically correct and super wonderful mothers get your teeth into that. My kid was raised to be a good citizen. She is happy, healthy and totally a good adult. Wonder how that happened?
I’m happy to find so many other parents who used a leash/harness with their children. My daughter never strayed, whether I was holding her hand or not, but my son was everywhere, and I don’t actually have eyes in the back of my head! Once during a VBS assembly he almost went down a 2-story fire escape — the teachers and I were all trying to catch him and thank God one of them managed it. He was three.
I could pay my car payment with the money you spent on your kid’s red, chiffon, tiered party dress. That’s not okay.
YES. It IS OKAY. It is NOT YOUR MONEY so MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
#13 Parents who THINK it is THEIR business how you parent YOUR children
I loved what you said here..as a writer I appreciate your candor on a subject long overdue that will inform (hopefully) some of the ridiculous, unecessary not so mature behaviors of parents today. Though in the sense of writing propriety ..no matter what your generation..”sometimes your kid is being a dick”…sounds a little, um, trashy. I wouldn’t want my kid babysat or play date parented by someone who used the word “dick” on any level & I wouldn’t want my parents reading that as free form journalism. I was lucky & blessed enough to have had parents who missed all these categories.
Stay classy, writers..
More than 90% of divorce is initiate by women and there is a femicentric family court system in place ready to destroy the family, by trafficking the children and extorting the family assets and finances (usually the man’s). Wicked Feminazis have been pushing lies on the public for decades (such as the article above).
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Sorry, but I can’t agree with the leash thing. When you have a very high-energy 3 year old and a newborn baby in an infant carrier, the last thing you need is for the older child to wrench their hand out of yours and dart across a busy parking lot. I know this from experience. It’s a very difficult decision to make whether you should put the infant carrier down on the sidewalk and chase the 3 year old, or try to run after the 3 year old while bouncing the newborn in the carrier. I really wish I’d had a leash on my son that day, and I wouldn’t have cared less what people like YOU thought about it!