While waiting on Sis Tina and Sis Lydia to finish with an appointment, I took my Shepherding A Child's Heart book along for some nice "quiet" reading time. Of course, it didn't dawn on me that I would be in the waiting room at a children's specialty care office and that all parents don't raise their children according to the scriptures... but I was able to get some reading done.
Then "Family of 4" entered the scene. Right from the start, I knew it was going to be a family worth watching (if for no other reason but pointers on what not to do)... It was the mom and dad and two sons (one about 8 years old and one about 5).
5 yr. old: (crying dramaticlly) I WANT MY OTHER TOYS, I WANT MY OTHER TOYS....
Mom and Dad: (ignoring the situation totally)
5 yr. old: (still crying hystericlly) I WANT MY OTHER TOYS, I WANT MY OTHER TOYS... MOM, DO YOU SEE ME? I'M STILL CRYING...
Mom and Dad: (still ignoring the situation totally)
Mom to older son: Go tell the lady to turn the movie on for you... (as the son steps out of the waiting room...) I mean, ask her, ask her to turn it on, don't tell her...
Mom to still crying son: (after witnessing another woman ask her child- do you want to go get ice cream when we're done here?): Tony, do you want to go get ice cream afterwards?
Tony(the cryer): NO, I JUST WANT MY OTHER TOYS
Mom: Well, I guess daddy will eat your ice cream then
Tony (still crying): I DON'T CARE, I JUST WANT MY OTHER TOYS
Mom to Dad: What toys is he talking about?
Dad: I don't know, there weren't anyother toys in the car
Tony (now screaming): THERE ARE OTHER TOYS IN THE CAR I SAW THEM, THERE ARE, THERE ARE...
Dad to Tony: (taking Tony by the hand and leading him to the exit) Well show me
5 minutes pass and Dad and Tony return, Tony caring a plastic bag and remarking happily: Dad was right, there weren't any other toys, but there was some candy!
To which he proceeds to open the candy and eat.
So, here is my call to my parent readers (and whomever else would like to respond)...
How is it less stressful to deal with a child that acts this way than it would be to pick the child up, take him in the restroom, have an "attitude adjustment" with the rod of correction and be done with the situation? This literally went on for a good 30 minutes... and I was particularly intrigued by the little boys comment to his mom "MOM, DO YOU SEE ME? I'M STILL CRYING" Would it not have taken 10 minutes (at the most) to spank him and that would include the time it took to go into the bathroom or outside?
I just don't understand how anyone could see this as acceptable behavior... regardless of whether you are a church goer or not... Can you imagine this child as an adult? (see cartoon below):
