Working at a restaurant, I see many different types of parties coming to dine in: couples, friends, co-workers, and mostly families. As I walk around the restaurant, the families stand out to me, particularly ones with young children. I am appalled at what I observe. I see children yelling and screaming at the table; standing either in the booths and jumping like it's a trampoline, or in the middle of the walkway where staff members are trying to move to get around the restaurant; running throughout the restaurant like it's a playhouse; and even being disrespectful and hitting their parents. The thing that boggles my mind the most is children who have earphones in and watch videos as they are eating, instead of engaging with their families. If I had done any of these things when I was a child, my parents would have set me straight right then and there and the punishment would have been extended at home. There is no excuse for children to act this way in a public place. Now I understand children are going to be energetic and won't listen all the time, but there is no excuse for parents to not use discipline and to not teach manners, etiquette, and respect to their children. All these things were instilled in me as a child, and I turned out just fine. But as a generation, I believe we are failing as parents.
I don't have any children of my own, so I can not fully understand what it means to raise a child. I do empathize with parents because my own parents had to raise three of us, and I saw how that was a struggle enough. However, I do know that parents need to draw lines and set guidelines for their children to comprehend boundaries that they can cross. When I observe parents today, I see that no guidelines are set and children are allowed to do whatever they want, like climb all over a highchair or jump up and down in a booth. Little discipline is used and parents go on like nothing is happening. When children know they can get their way, they won't see their parents as an authority figure, but rather as a lenient friend. When they get older, they will continue to push the bounds and limits, and it will only get worse. That's why it's important to teach children respect and etiquette sooner rather than later.
As with everything else in life, discipline must be used in moderation. Parents shouldn't be so strict that their children can't have any freedom. They need to fail once and a while so they can learn from themselves what works and what doesn't. They also need to be able to be trusted and have some fun; they're only young once! At the same time, parents can't be too lenient or else their children will walk all over them and do whatever they want. They won't feel obligated to listen to you because you have let them do whatever they want in the past, so what's going to stop them now?
If I have kids of my own someday, I certainly won't be as strict as my parents were to me. My kids will have more freedom (granted they earn my trust), but I will teach them respect and obedience as my parents taught me. It's not that I would like to do it, it's just that I would want my children to be outstanding and excel when it is time for them to go out on their own in the real world. That's what my parents want for me, and I would want them to see that their grandchildren were taught the same values.
Parents, teach your children the proper way to act. They may hate it now, but they will thank you later when people compliment them on their courtesy, respect, and kindness. It may make the difference one day with nailing that interview, impressing the boss, or finding that special someone.
