PARENTAL GUIDANCE

The Parents Council discusses whether you should intervene when you see someone else’s child misbehaving:

”This is one of the things we have to tread lightly on. Most people don’t like it when you correct their kids’ behavior.

“Some kids may have disorders (Autism, ADHD, etc.) that make them behave or react differently, and your interference may do more harm than good.”

– Posted by Mikayla

“I’d speak up if it were a matter of safety, especially my own child’s safety. It just depends on the situation, who the child is, what they are doing. Picking their nose? Probably wouldn’t say anything. Throwing rocks? Hey, kid, this isn’t the place to throw rocks. Eating worms? Might be fun to watch!

“Pushing little kids off the swingset? Hey buddy … don’t do that.”

–Posted by Debbie G.

”When it’s a stranger with children, I think it’s intrusive unless there’s imminent danger. With friends, there are things that need to be addressed at times, particularly if there’s an ongoing problem.

“I do think we’ve given up on teens, however, and criminalized the stupid, impulsive behavior that is the hallmark of the teenage brain.

“I’ve been places where everyone looks the other way while groups of teens act like monsters, but everyone is scared to say anything. And yes, I do speak up because it’s outrageous to give children that much power and then wonder why they end up lost and bewildered. It doesn’t have to be confrontational. Teens are old enough to have a conversation and respond amazingly well to things like, ‘You know, you look way too smart to be doing x, y, or z.’

“It probably won’t change their behavior for long, but if enough adults stepped in and kids knew that their behavior wouldn’t be tolerated I think things could be improved.

– Posted by Jennine

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