Raising Well-Mannered Kids: The Myth of "They're Just Kids

The Importance of Early Learning

Children learn manners, boundaries, life skills, and basic human decency primarily during their childhood, not as adults. This formative period is crucial for instilling values that will guide them throughout their lives. Parents play a pivotal role in shaping their children's behavior and attitudes, making it imperative to start teaching these lessons early.

The phrase "They're just kids" is often used as a lazy excuse to avoid properly parenting or teaching children. While it's true that children are still developing and will inevitably make mistakes, using this phrase as a cop-out can hinder their growth and development. Proper parenting involves correcting bad behavior and teaching children how to act appropriately, ensuring they grow into well-mannered and responsible adults.

Understanding Normal Child Behavior

Normal child behavior includes playing and making noise, which is healthy and expected. Children are naturally curious and energetic, and these behaviors are essential for their physical and cognitive development. Encouraging children to play outside and be active is far more beneficial than having them glued to screens indoors.

However, problems arise when children behave inappropriately, such as breaking things, acting spoiled, or being rude. For instance, a child insisting on petting a service animal despite being told no is an example of inappropriate behavior. Another example is a child old enough to know better throwing a tantrum in public places like stores or restaurants. These behaviors should not be excused with the phrase "They're just kids," as doing so can lead to a lack of accountability and poor social skills.

The Role of Parents in Shaping Behavior

The responsibility for a child's misbehavior often lies with the parents, not the child. Properly bringing up children involves actively teaching them how to behave, not just letting them do whatever they want. Parents should step in to help or teach children to behave properly in social settings, like eating cleanly at someone else's house.

Some people use the phrase "They're just kids" to avoid the responsibility of raising their children properly. This mindset can lead to a cycle of poor behavior and inadequate social skills. Recognizing that children need time and guidance to grow does not mean excusing their bad behavior but providing them with the necessary support. Patience and understanding are necessary when dealing with children, acknowledging that they need guidance to grow.

Balancing Patience and Accountability

The phrase can sometimes be used to express patience rather than to excuse bad behavior. It's crucial to strike a balance between being patient with children's mistakes and holding them accountable for their actions. Children's brains are still developing, and they are bound to make mistakes as part of their growth process. However, this does not mean that inappropriate behavior should be ignored or excused.

Complaints about children playing and making noise can be unreasonable, especially if it's during appropriate times. It's essential to differentiate between acceptable child behavior and genuine misbehavior. While children playing loudly is a sign of healthy development, misbehavior such as rudeness or destructiveness should be addressed promptly and effectively.

Conclusion

Raising well-mannered and responsible children requires a delicate balance of patience, understanding, and accountability. While it's natural for children to make mistakes and exhibit noisy play, inappropriate behavior should not be excused with the phrase "They're just kids." Proper parenting involves actively teaching children how to behave, correcting bad behavior, and providing the necessary guidance for their growth and development. By doing so, parents can ensure their children grow into well-mannered and responsible adults.