You know the type – Wandering around all pretty, light and flaky. If you put any heat on them, they melt. Well I’m going to touch on a topic many find to be touchy, but after having to work, communicate and try to befriend these little buggers, (it’s not just limited to the millennial generation I’ll add) I’m here to point out the root of the problem – Parents that think their children do no wrong.
Yes, scream, wail, tell me little Johnny is perfect, prove that you’re the reason they can’t be told ‘NO’. Let them continue to run all over you, while you pick up their socks, do their bidding, make them each separate meals cause YOU (That’s right!) YOU let it happen. You had the authority, and for some reason, deemed yourself not worthy, or didn’t have the guts and balls to stand up against these mini humans.
Little boys flipping up skirts isn’t cute, when it’s 20 years later and he’s flipping it up. That’s a personal space violation, that could land your ‘perfect child’ in jail. Little girls who think they are the queen bee cause their daddy/mommy told them so, pampered with anything they desire, will bully all those around them, and will one day lead a very lonely life, with makeup-laden cheerleaders instead of friends. Little boys who have everything done for them will expect their girlfriends to pickup after them, and you will see a trend of girls leaving your ‘perfect child’. Little girls who get their way now, treat their boyfriends like SHIT later, whipped puppies are no fun to have as a partner and she’ll never be happy.
You wonder why they can’t hold down a job, and wonder if they’ll ever be able to support you, wonder why your wallet is always empty, or why they don’t listen to you, and it all stems back to you not saying ‘NO’. Humans push the envelope of everything around, seeing what they can get from life, and little people are no exception. You’re the first line of authority in their first steps into this world, and your responsibility is to protect and love them. You’re not protecting them by not teaching them how to cook, clean, look after themselves, or keep a house! You’re doing a terrible disservice, putting a limit on what they can achieve by making them entitled, disrespectful and eventually (unless they realize you’ve kept them in a distortion bubble) alone.
It’s never too late to try. They’re not your slaves, but they are full of energy and really just want the love and respect of the people they look up to. BE THAT PERSON. You must teach them how to respect, and I say it starts by respecting them. Because if you respect them as other little humans, not little terrors that are taking up your money and time, and teach them all the cool things you know, they will learn respect from you. And who knows, you might even get a friend out of the deal. My fondest memories was following my dad around as he took care of the household day to day needs. (Sorry mom, wasn’t a big fan of sewing back then :P, but we did photo editing, Indiana Jones and Age of Empires together, thanks for the strategies 😉 )
I love you mom and dad, I know you’re not perfect, but at least if the world ends, I know I’ll survive.
Things & Stuff 