Control Your &^$%# Kids!
OK – I’m a big believer in “niche” media, and this blog post doesn’t fit my niche subjects of faith, culture, and media. But I have to say something here or I’m going to shoot somebody. Is there a general rise in rowdy kids and stupid parents or am I nuts? The truth is, kids are kids, and I rarely have an issue with them. Kathleen and I raised two daughters so I understand how kids need space. But what’s been driving me nuts of late is the number of parents that don’t
take this into consideration or don’t care – or both. Kathleen and I flew Bailey and Kelsey all over the world when they were small, but we always brought a big bag of stuff to keep them occupied – crayons, coloring books, dolls, games – whatever. But I’m shocked at the number of parents that take really small kids on plane flights without one single thing to keep them occupied. One frustrated kid recently was so bored he screamed the entire way from Dallas to Burbank and although it drove everyone on the plane nuts, I couldn’t blame him.
We sat next to a mentally vacant dad last Sunday at church who brought his pre-school kid into the service with nothing for him to do. The kid climbed on the pews, got into ladies hair, pulled stuff out of other people’s purses – just drove everyone crazy. The dad just sat there like a dolt as if nothing was wrong. No discipline, no toys, no nothing. A bigger question was why this kid wasn’t in the kid’s program.
My bottom line is – parents – bring stuff! Don’t leave home without it! Don’t be so insensitive to the people around you on the plane, in the theater, or in church.
Our daughters are grown, but when we find ourselves on a plane with rowdy kids and stupid parents, Kathleen will magically pull something fascinating out of her purse, give it to the kid and he or she will immediately calm down.
Sometimes I think my wife is really an angel in disguise…
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
