Do you think that a reprimand from a total stranger makes a bigger impression than a reprimand from Mom or Dad?

Sometimes. Occasionally kids feel like their parents are just restrictive, without design. Hearing from someone else that a particular behavior can help to enforce the fact that it is cared about by more than just their own parents.

Not at all.

I seriously doubt it had a lasting impression. If the kids are that bratty, I’m sure they hear it all the time.

Just be glad they didn’t return with a parent in tow to give you a good cussing.

If they had done that I would have called the cops. They almost pushed the kid through the plate glass. They could have run into some old lady in walker, or a toddler. Go ahead and call the cops, you jerks!

It’s been my experience that the brattiest kids have the most outwardly supportive parents. They may get beat when they get home, but, “Nobody talks to my kid like that!”

Making a lasting impression requires respect. There are two types of respect: Position and Personal. Position respect comes in the the form of title, be it identified by the individual or someone else. In this case, all you have to offer to these children is being viewed as an adult with a stern voice calling them out. That only lasts until your back is turned.

Personal power doesn’t rely on a position. It only comes from building a relationship with that person.

How could have the two older children driving the carts been addressed that led to building immediate personal power with them that might result in a life lesson?

They probably just thought you were some crazy woman yelling in a grocery store.

It depends. In some situations it will quell things for awhile but a lasting impression? Doubtful.

Kids are constantly testing boundaries and obviously these kids you encountered have parents willing to tolerate that kind of crap.

Obviously, your intervention was sufficient for that time and place. But likely the following week (or a different store) they’d be doing the same (and their dimwitted overly permissive parents would likely be just as clueless).

BTW: where the heck were the parents in that instance? Clueless.

I think it should. I am stunned when children are not “afraid” of an adult (not a parent) who catches them doing something they shouldn’t and reprimands them. Those children really worry me.

If it were me, then yes.

Yea, I looked after I hollered, expecting to see some adult coming that way, but I didn’t. Shame on them.

I’m still a little afraid of my mom but I’ve never had a problem telling strangers to fuck off.

Yeah, I got that a few times @cheebdragon!

@dappled_leaves mebee so, but it stopped them in their tracks, let me tell you!

@Dutchess_III But for you I mean them with ♥︎!

@Dutchess_III Aye, there is the rub. Your expectations were not met. It is quite possible because you were assuming that the parents would act as you would, meaning keeping a watch on the children. When I worked in a hotel, I was amazed by the parents who would let their children and their friends run wild without supervision. These were adults who had much more money than I did. It may boil down to a feeling of false security where children can roam free.

Of course, there are many other factors that may contribute to the children’s behavior. None of us know, including you. So, back to my first response…

Well, if nothing else, hopefully they’ll think twice before displaying that specific behavior again. They’ll never know. That crazy Woman of Walmart might be lurking, ready to pounce!

Accepted with ♥ @cheebdragon. Good to see you around! Wanna talk pyjamas and foods stamps? Uh…never mind.”