Please Stop Telling Me: Kids Will Be Kids!

I think over the decades the phrase ‘kids will be kids’ mainly referred to children that misbehaved at inappropriate times. To a degree, it still means the same thing. However, we’ve managed to make it an excuse.

Simply put: an excuse for children to act like brats.

And I am over it!

Please stop telling me that KIDS WILL BE KIDS, every time a child snaps at their parent.

Please stop telling me, KIDS WILL BE KIDS, every time they act out without any recourse.

Please stop using the phrase, KIDS WILL BE KIDS, to make it acceptable for them to act like little a$$holes.

It is not okay and never will be.

You wanted children, be a parent.

You want to send them to schools, teach them respect.

You want them in sports, prepare them to follow rules.

Stop pawning them off on daycares, schools and activities and assume they will learn on their own.

Stop blaming the system, teachers, and start taking actions. Show up and sign up!

Frankly, I am sick and tired of reading stories and seeing the disrespect on daily basis. And it’s only getting worse.

Enough is enough.

Why do you think our teachers don’t want to teach anymore? Why do you think we don’t have enough bus drivers? Why do you think we have unprepared kids in high school and college and eventually the job market?

Because they are all sick and tired too.

Tired of tip toeing around our kids like they are made out of glass.

Tired of reminding kids to stop picking their nose, farting, spitting on each other. That should be a given by the time they enter the school system. [there are exceptions]

Tired of not being able to get to school on time because the bus driver can’t get the kids to listen and be be quiet for 30 seconds so they can cross the railroad. Or stop pushing and punching each other.

Tired of being afraid of kids and parents.

Tired of not being able to do their jobs because of our disrespectful, property stealing, physically and emotionally abusive children. Oh and especially tired of parents who make regular excuses that KIDS WILL BE KIDS!

Yes, kids can still be their silly, goofy, curious, challenging children. But also be respectful. Kind. Open to learning. Those things don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Kids can still make mistakes. They can and will act out in ways they aren’t always prepared for. They don’t have all of the tools, all of the time. Neither do we as parents. But we can at least try. No just give up and hide behind, kids will be kids. It is selfish and can single handedly ruin their future.

But they are no longer just being kids if they are stealing, disturbing teachers, police officers, doctors, parents and every day workers. They are not just being kids when they are destroying property around their neighborhoods. They are not just being kids when they think it’s funny to hurt someone so they can film it for social media.

So please, stop telling me that KIDS WILL BE KIDS, all while laughing and joining in on their rude and dangerous games. No! Not all kids will be THOSE kids. Take responsibility for your children and stop this vicious cycle. It’s not cute or funny.

And if you can’t and you need help, ask! You are not alone. But we have to start somewhere.

Until next time, hug your kids a little extra today and thanks for reading my rant of the day.

x, Dijana

I am not an expert. Just a parent who is really disturbed by the pure disrespect our children have for rules and their elders. It is really sad to watch. But we can do this. One day at a time.