The Public Opinion Soapbox

mom of 4 · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 17 Location: Chambersburg

Its so crazy to hear and see such nasty attitudes coming out of children at a local playground. Just the other day while at a softball practice for one of my daughters, I was blown away at other children’s “SLANG”
I was sitting on the slide with my youngest and over heard some young boy talking about one of my older girls saying, “ ( My daughters name) is gonna die, she’s suicidal” I had to speak up and maybe I over reacted. I asked this young boy, maybe 9 yrs old or so, if he knew her, His answer was “no” I wanted to know why he was talking like that… He didn’t have a reason. I told him that words like that are not a joke and thought it was very rude to be talking about someone he doesn’t even know. Off he went to another area of the park..
No sooner then that was over, two older 13-14 year old girls started in on my 2 older girls, (who mind you are only swinging by themselves,) Not knowing that I was there mother they continued to antagonize them laughing and joking among them, then turning to my girls and saying “ your dumb, ugly, and stupid” What are you looking at? Do you have a problem?” I spoke up again and said that it was enough,
My girls know that it is NOT okay to talk about people that you don’t know, and if you have a problem with something going on around you then you need to figure out how to make it better. Honestly, 2 girls 9 and 11 can’t even go on a swing set at the park without being afraid of other kids.
Not only does this bother me but the words that kids write all over the park in permanent marker. Words that even me as an adult don’t even think of using. What is going on in our world. Parents need to step up and start cracking down on the kids, and maybe , just maybe keep an eye on them.
Confused

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2289 Location: shippensburg

manners.

so few teach manners anymore.

i had similar experiences growing up (um, art freak...oh, all sorts of names i was called), but my mom and dad stood up for me AND they taught me to use common sense and to ignore them.

i think it boils down to manners. and common sense too. so few use it any more.

do onto others, etc etc.

hum...maybe we need to teach them about karma and what goes around will come around to them again.

QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 386 Location: On the Computer

Mom of 4,

Where've you been?

Isn't childhood lovely these days? Nasty atitudes, mouths, music, entertainment, and behavior.

Blame the parents? NOT! Blame the society we must live in. Blame the technology that we almost have to have in our homes for the kids homework. Blame the entertainment industry. Blame the economic factor for making our nuclear family all but dissapear; two biological parent families are a thing of the past. Blame the educational systems for not placing more focus on education, music, arts and P.E. (Instead of wildly spending monies on team sports, unnecessary traveling to "search" for teachers, etc..

Now however, we must take a step backwards. Look to our past. How did our parents (or Grandparents) treat us or there friends. With respect. Go back to simpler games, play outside, try not watching TV for a while, read some books together. It won't kill you or your kids, hey your teens might even enjoy getting to know their parents. It starts to spread around little by little.

I tried this about five years ago in another state where violence and antisocial behavior was roaring it's ugly head with the teens I was working with. I got all the parents together. (Even throught theye didn't like each other!) We worked out a plan; worked on it all spring and most of the summer. At summer's end ALL parties involved got along great. (I couldn't believe it myself.) We had a huge BBQ and the whole psychology department where I was the volunteer Family Support Director, joined in. Of all the families involved I have only lost contact with two. Sadly, both fathers were killed in Iraq and I lost touch about two years later.

If we work, we can make a difference.
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mom of 4 · Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 17 Location: Chambersburg

Our family is very much into "family time" and spend much of our time as a family. We are always together doing things other than T.V. They all have there gameboys but rarely do they play them, maybe 20 min before bed or on a long car ride. More familys need to get on bikes or go to a park " TOGETHER". Kids these day's can't be left alone without adult supervision. If you don't trust them home alone you can't trust them in public alone.
What really bothered me was that I watched these kids for the rest of the night and not once did they go to a parent. Are they geting droped off at the park to cause trouble? I just couldn't believe the Trash coming out of there mouths. Not only to my kids either, but to eachother " just joking"
it's not a joke.... it ends up hurting later in life.
Hearing the words that are on our local radio stations too, is what starts all of this crap!! The T.V. too. Some shows may be rated for children but the "indside" jokes are crude and kids learn what they mean sooner or later. The word suicidal, makes me sick, what in the world are they thinking about, and why would they talk about another child like that?
It really makes me wonder what's going on at our schools. Im aware that schools aren't any better then playgrounds but do the teachers really know what's going on at recess?????

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3093 Location: Chambersburg

I had to explain to my 11 year old what 'the shocker' hand sign was. I could just say it's bad, don't do it, but I felt it would be better to explain what it meant. His response of, "Well, that's disgusting!" was music to my ears!

I hope he never stops talking to me about stuff...

You did the right thing Mom of 4 and I'm glad you're posting again. I was afraid I had ticked you off or something. (If I did, you better tell me, I'm a little thick!) Cool

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Nevermind.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2663 Location: Chambersburg

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2289 Location: shippensburg

um....not to sound like a naive country girl...what's it stand for (the shocker)? (PM me if you're uncomfortable w/posting it...in case it's 'bad')....ugh i'm so uncool!!! Rolling Eyes

Torgo · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject:

*sigh

Just remember, you asked for it... Shocked

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cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2289 Location: shippensburg

uh oh....

hum...maybe i don't want to know? Shocked

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2289 Location: shippensburg

HAHAHAHAHA....

torgo just told me what it meant.

OY!

hahaha!!! i am so not cool but at least i'm in the loop.

oh, and torgo...yeah....i'm trying to not LOL in class (am sitting here w/a goofy grin on my face trying to smother the giggles).....

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3093 Location: Chambersburg

Oh that's just great, Torgo!! Evil or Very Mad

You corrupted the Cookie!

You and Mister and your evil designs....
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Nevermind.

koozie · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 124

Back in the day, that hand signal meant "Peace and a little love". Hopefully it doesn't mean anything vulgar nowaday.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3093 Location: Chambersburg

Sorry to disappoint you, Koozie. Sad

It's quite vulgar.
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cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2289 Location: shippensburg

um...yeah. it's pretty vulgar.

HAR!

(still laughing about it! HAHAHHAHA...poor torgo...i think he was a wee bit squeamish about how to tactfully broach the subject...you did a very good job and such a thing can't be put in a delicate manner...LOLZroflmao!!!)

paul_milander · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 591 Location: Shippensburg, PA

Since I know sign language I was shocked when she did that? But the Texas horn sign is that as well what can you do?
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