jmcquown wrote:
>
> I had to go back to work with ketchup all over my blouse. What was I
> supposed to do, slap the shit out of him? I sure as hell wanted to.
> I
> wanted to slap the shit out of her, too! But you can't discipline
> other peoples children.

Not that often, I'll admit.

However, I used to baby-sit a friend's 'little darling' who was usually
a little terror in reality. The child was about 4 y/o at the time.
Anyway, I was given permission to discipline the child in Mommy's
absence - and the child knew it. A couple of stern warnings was all it
took and then she behaved like an angel whenever she was over at my
place. She'd eat all her dinner (which never happened at home - and yes
her Mom was a decent cook), then settle down with a coloring book or
watch a video (this was long before DVDs were even heard of). When it
was bed time, she'd ask me to read her a story and then go off to
sleep...

But the funniest thing was when her mother said to the child in front of
me (after a particularly trying tantrum) 'Why are you so good for Cathy
and yet always so naughty for Mommy?' The little girl looked her right
in the eye and said, 'Because Cathy is strict with me - and you're
not'.

We tried not to laugh, but heck it was hard not to. But it just goes to
show, some kids don't only need, but *want* a certain amount of
discipline. Well, that's how I interpreted that little bit of
information. Dunno how anybody else feels about it...

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy