Angry Man.Image courtesy of sumetho at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
While on a train ride home I noticed a family. There was the mother, father, grandad and child who was a little boy. This little boy could have been five years old but looked small so maybe under five. Hard to know. My girls are small and always taken for younger.
The reason I noticed this family was due to some bad language. I am not a fuddy-duddy but when you speak like that to kids it is just not right. I do slip from time to time but make sure to let my girls know that this type of language and words are not on and I make sure not to speak like that. If I do it is to myself and when kids are in bed!
Now for the most upsetting part. The family moved to empty seats that were in front of me. These seats were facing each other to allow the family more room. The mother, grandfather and child came to the new seats first. Then the father.
When the father approached the seats he went off at his child something fierce. He said, “F*#K, why are we moving seats! I don’t see why this will give us more room! This was all directed at his little boy. Why is this his problem? Does it matter where you sit as long as you are together?
If this is how he talks to his child in public what happens at home? Maybe I am a fuddy-duddy by thinking these things. How your parents treat you affects the rest of your life. My father was scary, mean and violent. I was terrified of him and wondered what he would do next. When I was younger I stuttered and was extremely shy due to this. I am not like this now. Kids are impressionable and they need to be nurtured not sworn at for moving seats on a train!
Have you encountered bad behaviour especially with language from parents towards children? Kids repeat what they see and hear. If you are swearing they will do it to you and others. Have times changed that much that this is acceptable? I never knew certain words like these until I was much older. Maybe it was my family or how I was brought up? Or is it a sign of the times?
What are your thoughts?
2 Responses
Mama Carmody
October 6, 2013That would be very hard for me to listen to, also. If I had my children with me, I might have to say something to the father because it’s bad enough that he talks to his child like that but my children don’t need to hear it.
Suzanne
October 6, 2013I agree, I am glad my kids were at childcare that day. It was hard sitting there during such terrible behaviour. I do have my moments at times but I don’t do that. Sometimes after a big day out I am a little tired and frustrated but that is about it. Thanks for the comment, and glad I am not being a fuddy-duddy.