by Neriza Oseguera

Created on: July 09, 2008   Last Updated: March 21, 2012

Society has a way of making even the best of parents feel like they are two inches tall. I have a very strong-willed child and it is a challenge from the minute we get up until we go to bed. I am sure there are many parents out there who can feel my pain.

Going out in public with him is always a stressful time. Yes I said it. I have done everything I can to mold him into a model child. It seems no matter what I do he still misbehaves badly in public, and at home. I have been told everything there is to say by people. My favorite is, " his behavior is a direct reflection on how I am raising him."

The stares by people are the most embarssing. They shake their heads and point fingers. I have tried ignoring the high pitched screams as I am dragging him out of the mall on what starts out to be a leisure trip. People stop, stare, and point. "What a brat" I hear quite frequently. When I spank him I swear it looks like some are taking down a decription to report to local authorities.

In church a woman pecked on the glass enclosure (yes my child's screams can penetrate it), and literally shook her finger at me, as well as her head. If I spank him they really look at me like I am the worst parent in history, and if I drag him out screaming and kicking he is a brat that I cannot control. What is a Mom to do?

Going out to dinner is usually the absolute worst for making my child mind. When having to wait on a meal, he melts down into a whiney, screaming demon. Toys only hold him off for a few minutes. After that the screamfest begins, and the whispers start. People often say "you can't go anywhere without a screaming child around." Believe me I know that better than you. Time outs are a joke. Where do you put them in public. Ignoring him was the doctor's advice. Well then you have a whole new mess of trouble: You are neglecting your child.

Society has created so many laws and rules, which makes it hard to discipline a child without state officials stepping in. Nosy neighbors will definately step in and stick their nose where they doesn't belong.

Children continue to get worse and crime is at an all time high. Why? Because if we discipline our children how we were raised we go to jail. If we do nothing and let them get away with every little detail we raise brats who wind up in jail. What is society teaching kids by acting this way themselves?

Sometimes people just need to back off and let us raise our kids how we need to. Parents know their own children and what works, no one else. Another thing, if you do not have kids, do not tell some bleary eyed, sleep deprived mom how to discipline their own. You might be the next victim of an all out scream fest in the middle of a grocery store parking lot.

Learn more about this author, Neriza Oseguera.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.