easy there

I remember when we moved to IL, I was shocked at how the people drove here, but also shocked at how some parents (strangers to me) talked to their kids. I have since become accustom to the driving, but hope I never become accustomed to a harsh yelling parent. I really noticed the difference when I would travel and be out of state somewhere else and was pleased to hear parents talk more calmly and nicer to their kids. Don’t get me wrong; I am all for discipline—just not for the whole store or mall to hear you do it and in such a rude, harsh manner.

I feel bad for the kids. It’s as if the mothers scold their children at the store or mall (wherever) out of embarrassment for themselves. They are embarrassed [of what they think is obnoxious behavior of their child] and half the time I’d like to say to them “you know what? He’s really not bothering me. You don’t need to make a scene.” The parent ends up making a bigger scene themselves then whatever the kid was doing in the first place. And the poor kid turns out to be embarrassed/ humiliated, but more so, sad that they have disappointed their mom—sad that she’s yelling at him in public. I see the poor kids face as they pass me in the aisle. So many times I’ve held my tongue, I’d like to say “easy lady! He’s just 3 years old”, it’s not like he just tore up the entire store. There’s a right way and a wrong way to discipline. I feel so bad for the kids I want to whisper to them, “mommy must just be having a bad day.”

here's a helpful link I came across later. It may be a good resource for screamer parents.