The Trainwreck that is "Toddlers & Tiaras"

Oh, holy mess.

I'm not quite sure what it was that possessed me to watch Toddlers & Tiaras tonight on TLC. I've only seen bits and pieces of episodes back when I'd babysit, after the kids had gone to bed. I think I quit watching because it raised my blood pressure too much. See, I have a miniscule tolerance for sassy, disrespectful kids. I don't watch shows like Supernanny or Nanny 911 because the kids just drive me up a wall. When it comes to lots of other things kids do, I have patience for miles. Crying babies, hyper kids...I can pretty much deal. But DON'T whine and DON'T have a smart mouth, because THAT does NOT fly with me. When I (or ANY adult) says no, it means no. Don't keep asking thinking that my answer's going to change, because it won't. The kids in my class learn this quickly...in fact, we call my classroom the "No Whining Zone." (My kids and I have open dialogue about lots of stuff--that's what makes it a learning community. They know they can come to me if there's something they don't understand or if they don't understand why we have one of the classroom rules. But when you ask me to get your water bottle for the fifth time just because you want to wander around the classroom and I say no, don't ask again).

There are some kids on this show that might need to visit.

There was this little girl on the show tonight who is four. FOUR. She's walking around with a pacifier hangin' out of her mouth telling her mama what she will and won't do. 'Scuze me?! The way this kid talked was unbeflippinlievable. The saddest part is that this kid is only doing what she's been taught. When Mom and Dad don't make kids mind and respect them, they won't. It made me feel physically ill to watch this child's behavior. It made me want to smack the mom, then spank the kid, then smack the mom again. This poor child is headed for nothing but disaster because one day, she's going to meet somebody who won't back down, and then she's going to have some hard lessons to learn. Just from watching for a little while, you can tell that this mom is totally bulldozed by her kid. Phew. I totally get that some children are just more...demanding than others. It's just how they're wired, and it doesn't mean that they're bad or anything....I have some in my room every year, and they end up with special places in my heart. But, as the figure of authority in their life, sometimes you have to be loving but firm. Just because you tell your kid "No" doesn't mean you don't love them! As a teacher, I can't even imagine the challenges of having this little girl in my class. You can see from the show that she talks to ALL adults this way...sorry sister, but that's not going to fly in any classroom. Now your child's been set up for a rough start....because there's no discipline. I sure hope somebody helps this child soon....because mercy. She needs it.