Unsolicited Advice- Or "What is Wrong with This Generation?"
This is an odd post to begin a blog with, but since I can't go back and say what I want to say to the person in question, I will have to say it here.
The three of us went to dinner tonight- me, Mr.V and Little V. We went to a local sports bar/restaurant kinda place- it has a large bar area with tons of tv screens, two dining areas and an outdoor dining area. We asked to be seated outside because the weather was okay and Little V was bouncing off the walls with sitting still for a movie and too much icee during the movie. He is only 3.5 years old. There is only so much one can ask a child to sit still for. We were joined outside randomly by smokers, since there is no smoking inside.
Shortly after our dinner arrived, an older man approached our table. With a smile he asks what is wrong with kids and parents today?" Mr. V and I look at him perplexed. "Why isn't he (pointing to little V who was leaning on the wall watching some men cut down a tree) sitting down and eating?" We stared at the man quizzically, smiling still because we weren't sure exactly where he was going with his commentary. In general, we are constantly complimented on our son's behavior as he is very polite- we seldom have to remind him to say please or thank you. The man continued on talking about the way people parent kids today. Then he turned to Mr. V and said "So Dad, what do you have to say for yourself?" I had already said, "We chose our battle to fight-and this isn't one we need to fight?" and "We are eating outside, so we can let him have more freedom." I am surprised Mr. V didn't up and have stronger words with him.
What I should have said was, "Hey, what is wrong with your generation? Why do you insist on smoking?" (It was his third cigarette in the time we were there.) It seems that would have been a response that might have made him understand exactly how welcome his comments were.
My son was behaving fine. He was watching people work with a large machine. He knew he had a choice between finishing his dinner and getting dessert or not. He chose the second option. Why is it anyone else's business- when he wasn't disturbing another diner- how he was eating or not eating his dinner.
Ack. I am even more steamed than I was before!
The three of us went to dinner tonight- me, Mr.V and Little V. We went to a local sports bar/restaurant kinda place- it has a large bar area with tons of tv screens, two dining areas and an outdoor dining area. We asked to be seated outside because the weather was okay and Little V was bouncing off the walls with sitting still for a movie and too much icee during the movie. He is only 3.5 years old. There is only so much one can ask a child to sit still for. We were joined outside randomly by smokers, since there is no smoking inside.
Shortly after our dinner arrived, an older man approached our table. With a smile he asks what is wrong with kids and parents today?" Mr. V and I look at him perplexed. "Why isn't he (pointing to little V who was leaning on the wall watching some men cut down a tree) sitting down and eating?" We stared at the man quizzically, smiling still because we weren't sure exactly where he was going with his commentary. In general, we are constantly complimented on our son's behavior as he is very polite- we seldom have to remind him to say please or thank you. The man continued on talking about the way people parent kids today. Then he turned to Mr. V and said "So Dad, what do you have to say for yourself?" I had already said, "We chose our battle to fight-and this isn't one we need to fight?" and "We are eating outside, so we can let him have more freedom." I am surprised Mr. V didn't up and have stronger words with him.
What I should have said was, "Hey, what is wrong with your generation? Why do you insist on smoking?" (It was his third cigarette in the time we were there.) It seems that would have been a response that might have made him understand exactly how welcome his comments were.
My son was behaving fine. He was watching people work with a large machine. He knew he had a choice between finishing his dinner and getting dessert or not. He chose the second option. Why is it anyone else's business- when he wasn't disturbing another diner- how he was eating or not eating his dinner.
Ack. I am even more steamed than I was before!
posted by Professor V. | 6:17 PM
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