LETTER: Parents, take control of your kids

From Joan Nott
Hutchinson

Observing parents and their children in a store is very interesting. Now we need to teach our children to make choices, but let’s get real.

Parents need to be responsible to make many choices for their children especially when the child is younger than 13. Consider this, asking 2- or 3-year-olds if they want to ride in the cart in the store or walk. Picture this, if these children had been put into the carts as infants and that habit was continued until they were old enough and responsible enough to walk, then there would be less fuss and crying.

Now consider this, if a child is screaming and throwing a tantrum, then a parent should immediately remove that child from the store. Punish them, take them home, don’t bring them back in the store until they promise to act differently. When they break their promise, then repeat the actions given above. I actually saw a parent do this and the difference in the child was amazing.

Parents, you are the big people who need to be in charge in every situation. If unsure, then go to parenting classes.