My Kid Can Be a Handful. But He Doesn’t Deserve the Label My Family Has Given Him.
Slate • • health
Key Points:
- A parent wrote to Slate’s Care and Feeding column about their 5-year-old son Archer being banned from family events after accidentally knocking over a wedding cake, which they feel is an overreaction.
- The advice columnist sympathizes with the parent but understands the family’s position due to Archer’s behavior, suggesting the ban may be temporary and to handle consequences privately.
- Another reader asked about whether it’s appropriate to tell other people’s children “no” to unsafe behavior in public or work settings, noting they were reprimanded for doing so.
- The columnist acknowledges the right to ensure children’s safety but warns that parents may strongly object to others disciplining their kids, advising caution to avoid confrontation.
- The column also briefly mentions a question about the acceptability of children urinating in public parks, noting changing social norms compared to past decades.
