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Big Kids

14th Jun 2018

Mum disciplines her kids in supermarket but not everyone agrees with her method

Olivia Hayes

We all discipline our kids in different ways.

Some use a softer approach while others prefer to be strict with their children when they’re acting up. It’s all to do with your child – because they’re all different too – and in their formative years, you will know how to deal with them best.

However, one mum has received a bit of criticism online after she shared a story about her taking actions in a supermarket when her daughters started to misbehave.

Her Facebook post went viral, but other parents saw her actions as “public humiliation.”

Talking to Cafemom, Louise Palai, who is mum to 6-year-old Alissia and 7-year-old Ebony, said: “I was in Tesco doing my shopping and the started messing about like kids do, running about, being silly poking each other, and almost bumping into a [shopping cart].”


However, they continued to mess around, and so, Louise decided to give them a time-out there and then.

“I stood with them while they were in time-out, out the way of shoppers, and some people looked at us funny, some smiled, and a gentleman did praised me for what I did,” she says.

“After time-out finished, I spoke to both of them about why they had been in time-out, gave them a hug and kiss, they said sorry, and we carried on shopping.”

Her friend shared a photo of Louise’s children sitting on the floor of the supermarket on a local Facebook group and said:”[Mom] says she will put them in time-out where ever she is. No matter what anyone says / stares.  I think this is a fine example of great parenting. More people should be like her.”

Not everyone was happy though.

One Facebook user said:

“Humiliation is not good parenting, ever. In fact, it shows a complete lack of empathy and compassion.”

While another wrote:

“Did she really need to go public? It looks to me an attention-seeking action. Last, but not least, public humiliation (including online shaming) doesn’t work. Never.”

Other users agreed with Louise however, with one saying:

“Sitting them on the ground and getting them to think about their behavior for a couple of minutes and calm down is not shaming your child.”

Topics:

discipline