Discipline has changed a lot over the years… spanking… time outs… early bedtimes, etc.
I was never “grounded” when I was a child. I was spanked 3 times, I think. I was often disciplined by receiving “the look.” There are 2 types of people: Those that understand “the look” and those that do not. To demonstrate my point:
My mother tells a story of a few years ago. She and my dad were in church. Sitting in front of them was a family. The parents went to the front of church, leaving the children in the pew for a few minutes. The kids were acting up and my mom gave them “the look.” Nothing happened. The kids gave her a confused look and went about their business, continuing to act inappropriately. My mom was confused as well… was her look broken, rusty, ineffective? Clearly, they did not understand “the look.”
I was never “grounded” when I was a child. I was spanked 3 times, I think. I was often disciplined by receiving “the look.” There are 2 types of people: Those that understand “the look” and those that do not. To demonstrate my point:
My mother tells a story of a few years ago. She and my dad were in church. Sitting in front of them was a family. The parents went to the front of church, leaving the children in the pew for a few minutes. The kids were acting up and my mom gave them “the look.” Nothing happened. The kids gave her a confused look and went about their business, continuing to act inappropriately. My mom was confused as well… was her look broken, rusty, ineffective? Clearly, they did not understand “the look.”
A couple of days ago, I was fortunate enough to go to a hockey game with some friends. The tickets were great, with the exception of the family sitting directly behind us. I understand getting excited at a sporting event… I am just as guilty. However, one of the girls, about 8 years old, had an unbelievable ability to shriek in a pitch that could make glass shatter. She did this REPEATEDLY throughout the game. And then we reached overtime… goody… more sound effects from this child. My eardrums were about to burst when I shot her “the look.” It made some effect. She was less shrill for a few minutes… then she began again, with more vigor than before. My friend shot her “the look”… it was a good one… I was impressed. I actually felt as if I had done something bad. She has quite an effective good. I can learn from her. The girl had the same reaction as I. She was quiet for the rest of the game… even if it was only for a couple of minutes.
4 comments:
I wasn't even aware the "looks" were going on! Suppose I was to busy looking at my new hotties. Lets hope no little girls sitting behind us at the next game.
Amiee
Too funny! It made me laugh all over again!!! As terrible it was to hear that high pitch scream, it made the night - how odd :)
I think the look works only if the person you are given the look to has an alternative consequence to either continuing misbehaving or not. I was at a sporting event when a mother of one of the players was screaming (schreiking) at the top of her lungs for any reason at all for the entire first half. My ears were in pain. So I gave her the look and it did stop or least reduced the screaming to a lessor decible. I don't understand why people feel, young or old, that they have to behave in such a manner?!
I think mom's right..."the look" only is of value if there are really consequences if you get in trouble. "The look" is by no means a punishment, but it is a warning.
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