Time Out!

I'm so angry right now I could spit nails.

I can NOT count the number of times in the past three days that I have watched children charge toward my mother as if she, with walker, could gracefully dodge their trajectory.

What the hell is wrong with people? And, by the way, I'm not talking about the kids here. I'm talking about the adults. I happen to think kids are supposed to be kids -- and adults are supposed to rein them in when they are on the verge of mowing down the elderly.

Could you let your kid mow down this sweet old lady?

That, however, might be too much to ask since in EVERY case the adults in question were completely absorbed in their mobile devices and distracted from their children.

One of the problems here is a culture clash. I'm about to "go Kentucky" on these folks and discipline their children for them if they won't do it themselves. I've bitten my tongue so far but I come from a land where any adult can chastise any child if their public behavior is out of line. It doesn't happen all the time and in recent years everyone has become more permissive toward children, regardless of geography. I don't necessarily mind that. I mean, I think it's a good thing that corporal punishment has gone the way of the toaster Mac.

But manners and consideration never go out of style. If you can't prevent your kids from racing in and out of a doctor's office building (where many sick and old folks are trying to get care), then please hold their hands. How about speaking to them if they do happen to get rowdy in the wrong place around the wrong people. I'm completely willing to understand that the child may have some issue going on at that moment, too, that explains their behavior. My point is, whatever the problem, I would appreciate it if the adult "in charge" would  do something! I can certainly tell you what is NOT a recommended response: looking at my mom like SHE is the one who is supposed to accommodate your kid by getting out of the way.

Honestly...the children in my own life are just as wild and crazy as the next kids. The differences is, if one of them does flail in the vicinity of another person, they hear about it. Such was the case the first day my nephew came to visit his grandmother at her new place. My sister's kids are very polite children, but they are still children.

As we were on the way to mom's room, my nephew did one of those motions only an 11-year-old can manage where he sort of walk/jumped/hurled himself forward down the hallway. I don't remember if he was actually close to crashing into mom, but my sister immediately called him over with a stern whisper and I overheard bits and pieces of her reprimand as I continued on with mom.

"...now does that seem like a good idea?...you can SEE that grammy is having trouble walking...what are you thinking?...be more careful! I shouldn't have to tell you this..."

It hasn't happened since -- not that it won't. He's just a kid so I won't be surprised when he forgets himself. But my sister will handle it.

Now please don't make me handle YOUR kids. We finally got mom here safely. I'm not about to let your lack of good sense put her in a wheelchair!