OK, I don't get it......(WAY OT!)

[kenw]

I guess I’m an old fogey….

Wife and I had a late meeting last night and decided that we would get a very light supper, since it was after 9.30 the pickin’s were slim (she’s having to avoid a lot of things lately for some medical reasons: sugars, breads, acids…). No Jack-in-the-Box, no Whataburger, no McD’s…..

A Denny’s was still open and they could have something for each of us; we hadn’t been to a Denny’s in years. We got what we wanted, the prices were good, the service great, the food perfect.

OK, enough about Denny’s….give them a thumbs-up and get on with it.

What we couldn’t help but notice was that almost every table except ours had a kid at it. Remember, this is Thursday night, almost 10pm. And folks are bringing the kids, many of whom look absolutely worn out, in for a heavy meal. Kids eating burgers, fries, etc, drinking soft drinks (free refills!) at 10pm and after on a school night. As we left at ~10.30, more met us at the door on the way in. 2 years olds, 6 year olds, 10 year olds. Few teenagers (1 iirc), probably 7-10 kids in all seemingly under 12-13 years old, and the bulk of them under 6-7. Exactly how much sleep will they get? ANY?

I don’t get it. Our kids were IN BED on school nights well before 10 always, at least until high school, and 9pm thru junior high. they weren’t eating heavy meals past 7pm even on the latest of nights. And they sure weren’t stocking up on carbs and caffeine right before they went to bed.

At 1st we said, “well they’re probably traveling and on vacation” (although it’s a bit early for vacation, it could happen). “Maybe they (mom and dad) work late.” So they have to give the kids all that junk so late? (we didn’t see ANY kids with milk, and we looked….. ). But pretty soon we ran out of rationalizations and just decided that some of the parents just must be idiots. None in particular, but statistics said that not all of them were on vacation, or had to work abnormally late, or any other legit reasons we could think of.

Hey, I’m no health food guru, but this is ridiculous. Did our kids turn out perfect? Heavens no…..but at least we tried to give them a fighting chance. Most of these kids last night probably slept worse than I did…I’ll bet they get some sleep in school today.

End of rant. I need to take some pics today. And get to bed earlier tonight…..and pray for the kids. They looked like they need it.

[carrbowl]

I'm with ya Ken...poor kids. Half of them don't have a fighin chance!! There were some kids next door..they rode the bus about two miles to school. My kids said they would fall asleep in school, on the bus, etc. and sometimes, the parents were called because the kids couldn't stay awake at school. The mother went on to have a total of 5 kids..until she got her "girl" ..."we" are giving her money to raise all of them...that's a whole another rant!!!!

[studiocygnet]

Are you in a school district that has closed up for pig flu?

[epoh]

I hear ya. Our son has ADHD, so we are very cautious about what he eats and drinks (little to no sugar in his diet outside of fruit, no red food coloring, etc) and the few times I've had to tell someone he can't have a soda or koolaid or whatever they act like I'm a crazy person! What 5 year old needs soda?? Amazes me.

[SeanS]

I've noticed similar trends. If I run to the grocery store at night, 10 pm or later, I often see mothers dragging young children in. Isn't it torture enough to take a young child through the grocery store, let alone late at night? I guess folks are that busy, just doesn't seem right.

[texkam]

would fall asleep in school, on the bus, etc. and sometimes, the parents were called because the kids couldn't stay awake at school

You can spend all the money you want on education. You can reform the educational process all you want. Politics aside, as long as you have parents who don't get it, kids are doomed. You have to pass a test to drive a car, but any idiot can become a parent. Scary and sad. I have observed the same as well. Guess I'm an old fogy too.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by studiocygnet

Are you in a school district that has closed up for pig flu?

we talked abouty that, too. All of the schools here are open.

[MikeyG1965]

Wow...I was thinking the same thing last night when I had to go to Walmart and then to Walgreens. Was after 10:00 PM and parents are dragging kids around with them. I 'm thinking, "Geez....isn't it past their bedtimes?"

[ggeen]

So the children will be tired for school the following day, toss-and-turn all night, and will wind up a little extra chunky. It may also explain one study I recently read. There was a high percentage of boys who still wet the bed into the early teens.

I'm with you Ken. I don't get it.

[Spec A!]

Yep, definitely not alone in this. My wife and I are both 31, we have a 4yr old and a 2yr old- most people would consider us on the younger side of parenting. We have a pretty damn strict schedule for our kids because not only do they thrive on routines, but they need some order in their lives, and in turn it helps our lives as parents a little too. They get up around the same time every morning, have breakfast (7am or so), lunch, and dinner (6pm or so) all at the same times everyday. Naps are usually around the same time after lunch too. Bedtimes for both are between 730 and 830ish, usually by 8pm every night. Then we get "our time" after they're asleep! If any part of the routine changes, someone skips a nap, snack, later meal or bedtime- all hell breaks loose! And it makes our lives harder because now we have a monster 2 yr old or an over emotional 4yr old girl at dinnertime since they didn't nap/well.
We have new neighbors that just moved in across the street who have a little boy a year younger than my daughter- both of them ecstatic to have a new playmate. But the parents, while great people and nice, have NO rules/schedule/etc for the little boy- he stays up with them, sleeps in till 9am or later, and since my daughter always wants to play, her routine gets out of whack in such a bad way when they are together.
It's a crappy situation because now their lack of any structure in their kids life is affecting ours in a negative way!

I couldn't imagine letting my kids have free reign and not keeping them to any sort of schedule. My wife and I at least find comfort in the fact that in giving them structure now as kids, it will pay off in their adult life down the road.

[bcody]

Anthony, I hear you! My kids are 6 and 8. We rarely go out to eat, they have set bedtimes, and trust me by 10 pm they are asleep! We have rules, and consequences if the rules are broke (NO abuse, discipline) But, so many kids around us do not. You are right, the lack of structures in other kids lies can effect othrs that have, I wish it was the other way. I know a lot of parents who feel kids should adapt to their routine, not the other way. I feel bad, and a little afraid, for what these kids will turn into.

[hotshot38]

It always boggles my mind when I see people bring their young kids into Hooters, let alone past 9pm. I've seen families come in there with young kids, infants, toddlers, you name it, at 11pm!

[Cornbread]

I had a bedtime of 10pm through my senior year of high school. I still slept 2-3 hours a day in class.

[ka5txl]

Originally Posted by SeanS

I've noticed similar trends. If I run to the grocery store at night, 10 pm or later, I often see mothers dragging young children in. Isn't it torture enough to take a young child through the grocery store, let alone late at night? I guess folks are that busy, just doesn't seem right.

And yet if that's a single mom we would condem her for leaving the kid at home alone if she needed to go to the store. it's a 24/7 world these days like it or not

ka5txl added 1 Minutes and 30 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by Cornbread

I had a bedtime of 10pm through my senior year of high school. I still slept 2-3 hours a day in class.

What?? we were suppossed to be awake during class time ????

[texkam]

And yet if that's a single mom we would condem her for leaving the kid at home alone if she needed to go to the store.

Some people need to. I feel for them and their kids. Some people don't need to. I feel for their kids.