Perhaps I’m too strict. Or perhaps I had kids late enough in life that I remember that people without kids don’t usually like to be bothered by kids. And sometimes even people with kids don’t like to be bothered by kids.
Eddie and I do not let our children run amok in restaurants. We refuse to be that family with the ring of detritus around the dinner table. I don’t need extra napkins because my children WILL NOT make a mess.
Yes, maybe I’m too strict. Or maybe I’m considerate.
I certainly would not allow Dominic and Gideon to amuse themselves by turning deck lights at Tubby’s Tank House off and on, off and on, etc. The mother of young Artemis and Arcadian (yes, those were their unfortunate names) had no such qualms.
My friend Pam and I were trying to have a nice quiet evening. Thank you, idiot mother, for ruining that plan. It will not scar your children for life for you to tell them to “cut that out right now.” You can correct them. That’s your job. Artemis and Arcadian will have plenty of friends in their lives (well, maybe). They only have one mother. Show them how to act!
And if you are unable to make them behave in public, stay home.
Observe and report 
wow I love you.
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I miss you, Marla!
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YES! YES! YES!
When my kids were little several friends told me I was:
1 Too Demanding
2 Militant
3 A Nazi.
Seriously. But, we were friends and it looks harsher here in print.
In any case, NOW, my kids are nearly 13 and 14, these VERY SAME friends constantly tell me how ‘lucky’ I am that my kids are so easy. Their kids are off the rails, obnoxious and basically out of control. #2’s son actually hit her. #1’s daughter has an incredible potty mouth and is dressing like Miley Cyrus!
Ugh! I wish I could tell you it gets better, not so much!
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I really am OK if my kids hate me, but I will not let them act like savages. They’ll thank me later. Someday. I hope.
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I am sure they will thank you. My kids already do. They can clearly see the road some of their peers are headed down and they have no desire to join them. My kids like me and each other. People comment on how well they get along and ask me how I did it. I reply that I never allowed any inappropriate interactions. We simply did not allow fighting. So they did not fight. It is hilarious to watch the incredulous expressions I then receive.
PS
I cannot reply on this website any more, your being grammarian is causing me a panic attack with each keystroke!
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Please keep replying! You’ve done nothing wrong! Besides, I usually only attack signs and people in general — not specific individuals.
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I’ll risk it then!
🙂
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