Thoughtful Thursday

Before I had kids... and when I would get on the bus, and hear a crying child or see a child screaming at the top of their lungs in the buggy... and then staring at the parent and their reaction-- I didn't get it clearly why it was all happening...


Until I experienced it for myself. lol.

I now understand. The child could be hungry. The child could be tired. The child could be restless. The child maybe just wants to make noise. The child's been told off and didn't like it so they're having a tantrum because of it.

The whole point is... what I've seen is that the minute your child starts to make noise... immediately all eyes are on you and the child.
Children will make noise.. it's part of their jobs as children. But it doesn't mean that you have to judge the parent straight away and think "Why are they not doing anything?"

When a child has a tantrum... especially if you've told them no or you've reprimanded them about something.. they need to be ignored. If you keep on paying attention to it.. it escalates. You've told them what you needed to say, and if they don't want to accept it.. they will lash out until they get what they want... but if they see you're not reacting.. eventually they do stop. Or fall asleep.

When a child is tired and they start to shout and scream.. there's not much you can do. Some kids need to shout and scream the house down before they fall asleep. My youngest does that at the moment and you just wonder... Why can't you just close your eyes and sleep?

What grinds my gears is the people that are staring... they've already made a judgement about you and haven't even said two words.
But I was once in this position because I didn't understand.

This is why we should never be quick to judge about anything or anyone!