Are Kids Angrier Than Before?

WHAT IS GOING ON?   Last week I posted what happened while I was traveling on a ferry.  I shared how, in the course of an hour, I witnessed three separate incidents of young children behaving badly, disrespectful and down right rude.  I was appalled.  That story is here. After reading that post, a friend of mine emailed me her story.  She witnessed these two events in less than a 24-hour period.  While reading them I kept saying out loud, "No!" and "I can't believe it!"  But it happened.  Just like she saw it and it makes me either want to throw up or cry; in other words, it makes me sick.

The Never Ending Wait in Line

Isn't it odd.... the things we remember?  Some of you will remember my day-long stressful experience at the post office that turned out to be hilarious.  Over 50 years ago, I read a poem and every single time I am in a post office -- I still think of it. It was written by one of my favorite poets, James Kavanaugh.  He wrote about life and love.  Most of his poems asked questions - which trigger thought.  I have enjoyed every single poem he has written and they obviously have made an impact. Some of his works dig deep but this is a lighter one.  Suffice it to say, next time you are in a post office, I bet you remember this poem:

The Post Office

I've never dealt with Russian commissars

Nor spent a single day in prison camps,

But I often meet the ghost of buried czars

When I try to buy a roll of eight-cent stamps.

Perfect Little Angels?

No one is perfect and no one has perfect kids.  We hope for the best and when they surprise us with respectful behavior, we are proud.  I never tolerated rude, obnoxious, disrespectful behavior from my children and am appalled at parents as they look the other way when their kids misbehave.

Recently I was in a restaurant and observed a mother with three young children sitting within earshot. It was quite obvious she was a single mom and her children were polite, quiet as well as courteous to the waitress.  As I was leaving, I approached the mom and apologized if she thought I may have been eavesdropping.  "I want to applaud you as a mom.  It was a pleasure to have dinner next to your family.  You should be very proud at how well behaved and polite your children are."  She agreed that she was very proud of them and thanked me for making her day.