So many parents just don't parent their kids. They treat them as they would coworkers and friends. That's not what they need folks.
Being involved in both serving at a restaurant and working in public education, I've seen this time after time after time.
So many parents (at least half) ask their kids what they want to drink. Of course, children will go for the most unhealthy drink/expensive on possible/whatever their parents ordered. You'd be surprised how many kids (under the age of 8) order Coke. Seriously?
Kids already have problems sitting still. Loading them up with caffeine? Not a great idea.
I've noticed a huge difference between that, letting kids have full reign, and those families where the parents offer OPTIONS. Even better, HEALTHY options. milk or orange juice? Giving these kids structure and treating them as CHILDREN goes a long way.
You'd be surprised how many parents just let their kids run around, trash the restaurant, do whatever they want....
The perfect example was this young family viisiting from Jersey. While eating, their young child had spilled a few things on the floor. It wasn't real dirty. I later saw their father picking up the crumbs off the floor. I went over there and told him to not worry about it and that I would sweep it up. He said that it was too embarrassing. The father, took pride in his work. The parents, did not let their kids do whatever they wanted. They were *gasp* actually involved!
Interestingly enough, their children were the most orderly children I've ever seen at the restaurant. Gee, I wonder why
In public education, it's even more obvious. The children with structure, have much more respect, are success oriented, and actually give a damn.
Those others without parenting, without discipline, without structure, WITH all of these excuses err social/learning disorders, are problems. Then, they have excuses to not be involved in any sport, any organization, any learning opportunity because ber her her they're disabled and will always need to be "handed out" something in life. They can't actually STRIVE for it and ACCOMPLISH anything because of x disorder.
Parenting isn't as complicated as so many of you want it to be.
Like a coach to a sports team, children need to know what's expected, that you actually care, need to have structure, and need to be taught to strive. If one truly has a learning disorder, don't just wave the white flag and surrender. But FIGHT.
One last example, this friend of mine was diagnosed with two significant learning disorders. One, involved her ability to focus and read. Difficult to sit and study when you struggle to read! Instead of stuffing her face with pills or waving the white flag, she fought through it. She decided she would do anything for her HS dilpoma. She and her parents worked together. She talked to teachers, who would closely with her. She got it.
She's now about done with college.
Awesome.
It's amazing what can be accomplished with a little mental toughness, structure, and hard work.
