I am not one to openly criticize behavioral management and/or disciplinary skills of parents. I am a parent to 4 grown children and a grandparent to 9 grandchildren. I have my opinions. (Lord, do I have my opinions.) But that is neither here nor there for this discussion.
Nay. This discussion involves the most innovative disciplinary methodology that I have ever had the opportunity to witness. Let me see if I am able to capture for you the moment of the most complete and utter parental control… possibly on earth. I was grocery shopping this morning, and I couldn’t help but notice a young mom with 3 boys. I would guess that these boys were maybe 4, 6, 8… somewhere in that age category. (I notice things like this because Audrey often shops with at least 3 of her boys, and it intrigues me.) These boys were BOYS. They were touching things, begging for things, putting unwanted things in the grocery cart. They were BOYS. Plain and simple. They were not annoying anyone. They were not loud or whiny or abrasive. They were just kinda playful in a kinda helpful sort of way. The mom was perfectly wonderful with all of this activity… just answering questions and making decisions on cereal, juice, Halloween candy and the like.
I smiled to myself at her ease. I made a mental note to tell Audrey about this mom and her boys. And I went about my shopping. So… as I was leaving the grocery store with my several bundles, I noticed that the mom was just in front of me. Her cart was filled like a Thanksgiving cornucopia… and her field of vision must have been impaired a bit. The boys being boys decided to dart a little ahead of her just the most minuscule of steps toward the crossing area… and a car screeched to a halt. Without the slightest hesitation, the mom yelled, “BOYS. BALLS TO THE WALL.” And guess what? The boys being boys now knowing that their mom meant businsess immediately grabbed onto the mom’s shopping cart. That was that. And they walked calmly to their car.
“Hmmm…” I thought to myself, “Maybe I should pass this little bit of testicular wisdom on to Audrey.” I mean, it worked. Then I thought to myself, “Oh, nuts. Why gonad crazy when she’s just fine figuring out her own knackers for raising her 4 little boys.”
But this mom did leave me with some jewels of discipline should one (or more!) of my 7 darling little grandsons need a quick reminder to listen to me. Now… what exactly do I say to my 2 grandDAUGHTERS?
Ha. That’s funny. I have 3 girls so you’ll have to let me know what you come up with. Is Audrey having fun in Pittsburgh?
That is hilarious. I’d love to know how she got them trained so well. Love your puns 🙂
Hey, if it keeps ’em safe it’s worth saying…or yelling. Great post!
How funny! And, of course, somewhat unusual. I wonder how she came up with that method. At least her boys were generally well behaved; shopping with three boys must always be an adventure.
WOOT! That’s hilarious!!! I’ll have to use that with my own son, although somehow I feel it’s more appropriate when you have more than one boy-child. HA! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
I love it! That’s definitely innovative, as I imagine moms of multiple boys have to be.
Wow – I WISH I had a magic phrase like that! LOL
What a HILARIOUS phrase – Funny that it works so well for her. Gotta use whatever works with boys I guess!
http://wherefamiliesconnect.com
Ha.
Some may think what she says was inappropriate, but I think that she is one of the “coolest” mom’s that I’ve heard about it a long time.
Sometimes, just trying to “relate” to your kids gets them to listen and respect you even more.
Especially when you observed fairly decent behavior of the boys shopping in the store. They could have been TERRORS. But, they know when their mom means business, and they show respect to that.
I hope that I can be “that kind” of mom in a few years!