General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Adults that spoil kids aggravate me [View all]laundry_queen
(8,646 posts)Kids are so much more perceptive than certain adults give them credit for. And depending on the personality of the child, certain children sense when an adult dislikes them and will attempt to aggravate that adult even more, on purpose. Or they simply act up in an attempt to get out of the situation.
I will say that my kids always get compliments on how well behaved they are and you know what? I did everything opposite of what my parents did. I also, like you seabeyond, really enjoy my kids' company and spend a lot of time with them. I include them in as much as I can, since my parents were of the mind 'children should be seen and not heard' and I believe it really crippled me for years. I was petrified of adults as a child and while people might like that because they think it makes for better behaved children who have 'respect' I can also say it makes for children who a ripe for abuse because they would never say no to an adult either out of fear of consequences.
There are many people in my immediate and extended family who are childless by choice. In fact, probably more childless than who are not. And I've never seen the level of arrogance at family functions that I see here regarding those with children. I also get tired of the 'I'm a victim' mentality when those people are around children. As others have said, they do have a choice. Don't invite said person. Make other plans. If it's Christmas and you believe that you can't get around it, then you grin and bear it just like the rest of us do with creepy uncle or sarcastic grandma. Or do the parents a favor and let them know how much you dislike them and their child. You'll be doing them and yourself a favor because I can guarantee, there's no way they'll ever attend another event with you. And it's likely no one else in the family will want to invite you either and then you'll never have to deal with them again. Problem solved.