Successful Parenting in Public: Tips for Successful Parenting in a Professional Atmosphere

Parents take on many responsibilities when they decide to have children. It is important that young and old couples understand that their behaviors and how they treat these responsibilities can directly affect the health and well being of their children. In today's busy world it is unfair and unrealistic to think that the mother or father can always be at home with their children. Often times it is necessary to bring children to a public place or professional setting in order to accomplish the tasks of every day life. Parents need to be very mindful of their children's behaviors in these types of settings, because their behaviors can not only become disturbing to others, but also create unsafe circumstances.

Just the other day, a woman came into my office to accompany one of my customers for an insurance quote. This woman had two toddlers and was pregnant; she was completely oblivious and/or indifferent to the dangerous and destructive behaviors of her children. Of course, like little children do, these children got stir crazy and couldn't sit still for very long. Instead of getting up to walk the children outside, or speaking to them to give them a mother's attention, she let them run around the office. Running around the office soon developed into banging on the front door. I tried to ignore the racket that the little 2 year old boy was making and concentrate on my client's consultation, but it proved to be a challenge for me and the other women in the office; the mother sat at my desk and never even glanced back to see what her children were up to. After about 5 minutes her son realized how to open the door to the office, and her 3 year old daughter started running in and out of the office. Our office is only one of many offices on a commercial property that is not fenced in, has no security officers, and has a very busy parking lot that is situated maybe 15 yards from a very high volume traffic main street.

I happened to glance out my office window and notice that the little girl was now running around in the parking lot. I informed her mother of the impending danger, who then slowly got up, sauntered out of the office door, and then stood outside with her children for about two minutes. Finally she grabbed the hands of her children and brought them back inside. Her son viciously screamed and balled up his little fist then proceeded to hit the woman in her arm. The little girl giggled like it was a game. The woman came back to my desk and sat back down. The children then proceeded to open the office door and then slam it very loudly. I just wanted to slap some sense into this woman! Now of course this woman isn't beating her children to death, but not paying attention to them, not reprimanding her son's disrespectful and violent behavior, and letting her children run around like heathens is the equivalent of giving them a death sentence. This woman could have very easily implemented these two simple tips and the situation would have been different.

Tip # 1: Pay attention to your children
It's not always easy to multi-task, but becoming a parent requires this ability. If parents are going to take their children out to a public or professional atmosphere, they must be prepared to pay attention to them as well as the task at hand. Always keep an eye on where they are and what they are doing. Also, it is important that the children know that their parents are paying attention to them. Children will very often act out and in a negative manner in order to gain their parents' attention. Speak to your children occasionally, letting them know that you know they are there. Point out something in their surrounding like a colorful painting, plants, or even other children to engage them. This is an excellent way to pay attention to your children.

Tip # 2: Reprimand your children
When children act out in a negative manner it is important that the parent or parents reprimand their children. A reprimand is given by someone who is seen as an authority or superior. Children must see and respect their parents as an authority figure or superior. Children also must know that there are consequences that result from bad behavior. Different parents have different ways of punishing their children, but regardless of how it's done, reprimanding a child conditions their behavior for future situations. A reprimand can come in the form of a strong verbal statement that lets the child know they have done wrong, and can be followed by a stern look, a slap on the wrist, or even a spanking.

When going out to a public or professional atmosphere with their children, it is important that parents act responsibly. Parents need to pay attention to their children and reprimand them when their children act badly. These are two very effective tips that will insure the parents the well being of their children. It is the responsibilty of the parents that their children do not disturb others and/or end up in an unsafe circumstance.