I noticed a long time ago these parent shaming techniques. Usually it’s something posted to social media with a headline like, “Watch how this awesome parent teaches his kid not to (insert poor choice here).”
Yeesh! I’m all about strong parenting. Everyone who knows me knows I’m not a touchy feely parent. I love my kids like crazy but I rarely tolerate nonsense (take from that what you will.)
I’d like to think I’m not a judgy parent either. After actually having kids, I have alot more respect for those who are doing this parenting thing the best they can and just getting a shower on a daily basis.
However, when it comes to shaming my kid in public… well, my oldest is only 6 so I don’t know what will work with her when she is a teenager and maybe I will have to resort to extreme measures but I have to say… this whole holding up a sign and taking a picture for facebook with the kid looking totally forelorn or having them hold a sign on a street corner declaring their indiscretion or walking through the store wearing short shorts and a t-shirt stating your parenting choice and dragging a sullen teen… I’m just not sure about this whole thing! I don’t want to say “never” becasue who knows but REALLY?! Are we going to use social media and public shaming to teach our child a lesson? Is this the way to get them to talk to us when they have questions or open up when they have made mistakes or is this form of teaching closing off any hope of communication between my child and I?
For application to my 6 year old… I want to start to respect her the way I hope she will respect me in the future because our kids mimic our behavior (fact) and I’m hoping to show all my girls that I will give them private instruction. I get down on their level as much as possible. I quietly get their attention in public or take them away from public situations to deal with LOUD breakdowns (more on this in Mommy and Money). This is not always possible but I do my best and I hope that my children, as they get older, will know that I’m not their to shame them to their friends. I’m not the kind of parent that will publicly call them out on what I believe to be a poor choice. I hope this keeps the lines of communication open and never closed them off to me.
Life and Photos by Andy 