Day 243: Man Up, Grandma

Just about the only thing worse to observe than a bratty, mouthy kid stepping all over his grandmother is watching a grandmother let a little monster take bite after bite out of her ass. Christ, today, I had to watch a little monkey do just that for what must have been a half hour at the park. "Evan, I swear, if you don't do what I say, we're leaving."

Uh, yeah, Grandma, that's the seventh time you've said that. You going to follow through one of these times and do what you say?  

I swear, this kid was just flat out mocking the poor old woman, and she acted as if she was born to let it happen. I knew it was bad when my four year old asked me, "Dad, what would you do if that kid was yours?" Well, dear, let me tell you what I'd do. I'd escort his little ass straight to the car, strap him in nice and tight, and when we got home, usher him off to his room where I say "so long, little man. Enjoy your stay and get familiar with your surroundings, because you're going to be seeing them for quite some time." But all of that would come far after I'd straightened his little ass out right there on the playground in front of the world to see. Parent in public as you parent at home.

That's the problem. Some parents change their whole behavior once they're out of their four walls at home. "Grandma" kept looking at me every time her grandkid starting popping off at the mouth, as if asking me, "What should I do." You should man up. Take control. Seize the respect you're not getting. You should teach him a lesson. Teach him you call the shots. Most importantly, you should stop negotiating with someone who is at least 50 years younger than you and hold no perceivable power. 

About the only positive that came out of this experience, one that I seem to witness too often, is that gives me great opportunities to reinforce to my kid that "what you've just seen is never going to fly between you and I. You'll never treat me like that, and I'll never treat you as if I fear you. We have mutual respect, and that's far more important than getting your way when you want it."