A bit confusing

I watched as a mother and a father bought, literally, $72.55 worth of alcohol and cigarettes a couple of days ago. With the man and the woman, who I assume were in fact the mother and father, there was a small child who couldn't have been more than three years old. The child was a content as I've ever seen at that age in that environment (a store full of people). However, as they approached the counter to check out the child spotted a pack of bubble gum. You know, the kind that is in the clear package that cost about $.75 after tax. As he grabbed a bag of the gum, the cashier was ringing up the parent's items that I have mentioned what they were. When the cashier saw that the child was wanting the gum he asked, "Hey bud, can I ring that up for you?". I was sure that this kid's day was about to be made. The mother looks at the child and says, "You don't need that, put that back.", in an almost scalding tone. With that image painted, I say this: I'm not bashing the parents, and I'm not saying that they are terrible at parenting either. However, what I am saying is that I was confused at how someone can buy over $70 worth of alcohol and cigarettes, but they can't spend $.75 on their child for a small pack of bubble gum. This bothered me quite a bit and I just thought I would share this with you guys.

I know this kid's pain. Been there, done that several times, so that I never asked for anything when I grew up. Not even emotional help. It sad to see that parents would do this, and in my case, complained that they never got anything. If I had had the money, and had been there, I would have bought it for him. But I agree that its confusing. I honestly don't understand either. I know, though, that this will lead pathway to either two things: The kid won't ask for anything, like me, anymore. Or grow up to buy so many things for only themselves because they saw there parents being selfish with just a pack of gum. There's a bigger picture you know? It makes me sad. It was just a pack of gum. just seventy five cents.

Blane93 wrote:I know this kid's pain. Been there, done that several times, so that I never asked for anything when I grew up. Not even emotional help. It sad to see that parents would do this, and in my case, complained that they never got anything. If I had had the money, and had been there, I would have bought it for him. But I agree that its confusing. I honestly don't understand either. I know, though, that this will lead pathway to either two things: The kid won't ask for anything, like me, anymore. Or grow up to buy so many things for only themselves because they saw there parents being selfish with just a pack of gum. There's a bigger picture you know? It makes me sad. It was just a pack of gum. just seventy five cents.

I think we need to remember that this kid was younger than three - more than likely, he is not going to remember that this happened to long afterwards so I wouldn't expect it to alter his behavior too much. However, the scene is disturbing. What is sad is that the cashiers probably see something like that almost every day. If Dalton happened to see this on one random trip into the store, imagine the regulars there.

Furthermore, the "You don't need that" statement seems very, very ironic to me. I'm guessing that they're smokers (which is an addiction), but do you think that they're legitimate alcoholics as well? If so, do you think that they realize what that stuff is not only doing to their bodies, but to their family as well?

Also, it is ironic that the parents said, "you don't need that" as if they need the alcohol. I will not give my kids everything they ever want, but I also will listen to my words I speak to them and make sure I am going by them too. My wife and I do not want our kids to say "stupid" (amongst other words), but we don't say stupid around them (if I accidently say it, Elijah tells me not to say that).

Right. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+bobo+doll+study&mid=F95441221E027D0A6368F95441221E027D0A6368&view=detail&FORM=VIRE3