And we wonder what is wrong with children today...

but I am wondering what is wrong with the parents! Does today's society not believe in disciplining children? I am not saying that you have to BEAT your child, but appropriate punishment will go a long way towards molding them into the future leaders of our world.

Why am I talking about this? Well, I will tell you. If you read my blog regularly, or know me in person, then you know that I have recently taken a trip to Disney World. You know - The Happiest Place on Earth! While there, I did a lot of people watching, which is just a bonus to the thrill of Disney. While in line at one of the counter service dining eateries, there was a man with his young son (maybe 8 or 9) in front of me. The son was jumping onto the service counter, swinging his legs over and around the railings, and for lack of a better description, acted like he had ants in his pants. Well, he kicked me twice (glared at me both times like it was my fault and never apologized) and hit the lady beside him, too. His father NEVER said one word to him about his behavior. As a matter of fact, for a while I even thought they may not be together. But they were because we met again at the condiment bar. OH JOY! He has no idea what "wait your turn" means! Let my kids behave like that! No, who am I kidding! My kids already know better!!!

More recently, I took one of my children to the doctor (yep, the flu). Anyway, as you can imagine, there is no shortage of sick children, but there is a shortage on well-behaved children. While in the waiting room a mother comes in with her daughter (about 7) and she has another child of the same age with her (maybe a friend). Anyway, in a waiting room full of sick, miserable children, these two girls proceeded to THROW a 2-inch rubber high bouncing ball around. AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM CAN CATCH!! So, as I am holding my sick child in my lap and dodging this rubber ball, the mother sits calmly by and never looks up or says one word. Not even when the girls take their shoes off and are crawling around under the seats because the ball has gotten "lost". The mother is checking her cell phone, rummaging through her purse and for all I know, could be deaf, but I doubt it. All of the other parents in the waiting room just looked at each other with astonishment wondering how sick could this child be??? FINALLY, the mother tells the two girls to come sit beside her (one on either side). The girls proceed to both lay their heads on the mother's lap and the mother braids their hair TO EACH OTHERS!!! So, now they are giggling and screaming about how they are stuck together. Meanwhile, I just want to gouge my eyes out!!! UGH!!!

I could go on, but I won't. Again, I am not saying beat your child (however, mine have been spanked before). Our children need to be taught how to respect others and they need good manners. We wonder what is wrong with our society today, but what about the future when these children, who know no boundaries, are who our country depend on to run it?? Then what?

The Bible says - "Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them." (Proverbs 13:24)

ALL children are going to act up and disobey at some time in their lives. But, please, show them how much you love them by appropriately disciplining them for their actions. They will lead more rewarding lives for it!

Until next time....

Rules are meant to be broken - or are they?

I like people who follow the rules. Does that mean I like the RULES? Not necessarily. For instance, sometimes the speed limit irritates me. But, if I choose to break the rule, and IF I get caught, then the punishment is mine. I own it! My fault!

My children are rule followers. Well, they follow everyone's rules but mine! Ha! No, really, they are rule followers. They truly get bent out of shape if someone at school is talking to them when there is supposed to be "no talking". My daughter will panic if she thinks that person is going to get her in trouble! And I know that sometimes people get called "guilty by association" when in fact, they have done nothing wrong. That stinks! It happens, but it stinks! My son, who is VERY competitive, will have a melt down if he thinks someone is "cheating" to win! He will call them out, too!

I am afraid they inherited this trait from me. Not that being a rule follower isn't good. But if you don't know how to let it go when you need to, it will take you down! Sometimes, I let those rule breakers get under my skin and it festers into a boil! I wish I could follow the advice that I give my children. As long as I am doing the right thing, don't worry about who is doing it wrong! You know, Do as I say, not as I do! Easier said than done, right???

However, that day will come when we are all affected by that one bad apple in the bunch! You know, it spoils it for the rest! I can't stand that either! Who said that is fair? Ah!!! But life isn't fair, is it?

So, are you a rule follower? Or a rule breaker? Chances are we all THINK we are followers. Some may see me as a rule breaker, which is different than how I see myself. Sometimes we just think the rules apply to everyone but ourselves, don't we?

Weigh in with your opinion! Love to hear it! Until next time......(when I talk about parents who avoid disciplining their kids!)

I didn't know THAT!

I have been in Disney for the last 4 days and learned a few things I did not know. I thought I would share them with you! (lucky, you are!)

• I didn't know you could wear SKIN TIGHT, white, see through pants with a blue thong. But, you can!
• I didn't know you could wear RED AND WHITE CHECKERED pants with bright ORANGE, patent leather flip-flops. But, you can!
• I didn't know that you could put your two children, under the age of 10, who speak no English, in line for a ride that they are not tall enough to be on alone. But, you can! So, when the ride attendant tries to tell them they can't ride, they stare at her like she is from Mars.
• I learned that even at the Happiest Place On Earth, you are not always Happy!
• I learned that compared to SOME children, my children really ARE angels!
• I learned that there are a lot more people who should NOT have children than there are people who SHOULD!
• I didn't know that if you don't speak English (or at least pretend you don't), you can skip all 100 people waiting in line and go straight to the front! But, you can!
• I didn't know that if ONE person in your family needs scooter or wheelchair assistance, ALL 50 of you get to the front of the line! But, you do!
• I learned that hearing your child squeal with laughter makes your whole body SMILE!
• I learned that jogging in Downtown Disney at Midnight beats jogging at home any day!
• I learned that a SCOOP of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream at Disney is equal to a PINT at home, but the calories don't count!!! (I promise!)
• I learned that when I grow up, I want to live at Disney!
• I learned that if you get a make-over at the Bibbity Bobbity Bootique, your hairstyle will last FOUR days! Well worth the $60!
• I learned that if you get a make-over at the Bibbity Bobbity Bootique, the GLITTER in your new, $60 hairstyle will last FOUR months!!
• I learned that when your husband kisses one of the Hoop-dee-doo cast members (because it was part of the show), your kids think he is "cheating" on you!
• And finally, I learned that no matter how many vacations I take at Disney, I will always want to go back! It truly is the Happiest Place On Earth!! And I can't wait to go again!

So, have you been to Disney? Let me hear what YOU learned! Maybe you learned some of the same things I did. Or maybe you learned something different! Drop me a note! Until next time...