While running errands today, I had the displeasure of seeing the two extremes of bad parenting in action — parents who let their children run wild and those whose self-discipline in how they discipline the kids is so out of control that they are abusive.

My first exposure was to completely undisciplined children, in the library of all places.

One boy about age 5 or 6 didn’t want to leave, so he pitched a fit at the checkout line. When his older sister tried to steer the boy toward the door, he dropped to his knees and began moaning. His mother eventually came to help but didn’t scold the child at all.

She grabbed one of the boy’s hands, and his sister took the other. He let his body go limp. They carried him to the front lobby by his outstretched arms, at risk of dislocating a shoulder.

I checked out a few minutes later and had to weave around a young boy and girl who were cackling and playing chase — remember, this happened in a library — as their parents watched. The boy eventually banged into me, and all the father mustered in response was, “Joey, you ran into that man.” He didn’t demand an apology or a change in behavior.

Moments later, his daughter ran into me. At that point, the mother threatened a spanking, but their children clearly knew it was an idle threat. They were out of control because their parents choose not to control them.
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