As a parent, I completely understand Ellie’s plea to Michael. But oh how unfair it is from a child’s point of view! (especially when the younger sibling is gloating as Elizabeth is)
And this, parents of the world, is exactly why your kids are such brats. They figured out that all they have to do is scream and shriek, and they get their way “for the sake of peace”.
It was never like this when I was growing up. My two brothers always got their way and I was the one stuck sitting in the middle. I was the youngest too.
Yes, and I’ll bet that you got away with stuff that would have gotten your sisters the death penalty. I’m the oldest of four boys, and my brothers always got away with stuff that I would never have dared to pull, which is why younger siblings in general get zero sympathy from me when they complain about how hard it was to grow up as the younger ones! :-P
Never thought about it before, but with the advent of mandatory car seats (which become stationary) over the past 25+ years, arguing over who gets the window seat is no longer a conditioned behavior.
Elizabeth “wins” because she’ll whine & screech the longest. I was the compliant (middle) child. My sibs grew up to be self confident; I grew up to be a mousy pushover. Training, or inborn? Or maybe some of each.
In my (extended) family, the boys got the perks and the girls got chores. Maybe the idea then was that since the boys would have to do military service, and we were so good at getting involved in wars, that boys got an automatic free pass.Still, that really is some bad parenting there, imo.
Um, wouldn’t Liz be in fixed car seat at this age? Even Michael should be in one, right? Both of them would have window seats if this was the case. But I forget, this was a flashback to the early 80’s, if I am not miss taken, right?
Thankfully I only had 1 sibling growing up so there were never any arguments between us over whose turn it was to sit next to the window.
I thinks it’s extremely bad parenting on Elly’s part to insist that Michael give Lizzy what’s rightfully his (which is his turn to sit next to the window) in order to shut her up. That will only serve 2 purposes, and neither of them good: 1.) to show Lizzy that screaming and throwing a tantrum will get her whatever she wants — whenever she wants it, and 2.) it will cause Michael to have resentment towards his little sister so that instead of them occasionally arguing about some things, they’ll argue constantly about everything.
I get where he’s coming from because I always felt like my parents were giving ME the short end of the stick in favor of my younger sister, too, when I was growing up. It created a great deal of anger, resentment, jealousy and hurt feelings on my part towards her, which, in turn, made it difficult for us to get along with each other . . . not to mention the loss of respect I had for both my mom and dad in the process because of their poor parenting skills too. Why people can’t see what their unfair favoritism does to their children under these circumstances, I just don’t know — nor do I understand it. But then after years of such behavior, these same people turn around and wonder why all their kids just can’t get along with each other!
Meanwhile, in the future, I’d suggest leaving Lawrence at home with his mother (pathetic though she is) so that BOTH Michael and Lizzy can sit next to a window and all the arguing on this particular subject can just STOP!
“so perhaps, backseat sibling feuds are fewer now.”Nuhn-UNH! The very afternoon I ferried the three granddaughters to the lobby of the church I attend, to get newspapers at Starbucks, to a restaurant, to a clothing store, the mall play area, and a grocery store, and there was intermittent STURM UND DRANG, especially with the six-year-old, who seems to be in her delayed Terrible Two’s. So I practice poor parenting. Sue me.
DO NOT knock Connie’s parenting! Lawrence grew into a considerate, compassionate young man, so clearly she must have been doing something right. Especially since she had to do it alone most of the time.
When I was a kid our Sunday drives would usually end at a beach or lake, with usually a stop for ice cream of French fries (or both.) Plenty of incentive to invite a friend along, and we could entertain each other. Everybody wins!
Gay “marriage” has been legal in the US under different names (e.g. civil union, domestic partners) in every practical sense ever since the end of Sodomy laws. Religious ceremony, legal arrangement for inheritance and medical decision making, etc, were all available long before then.
You don’t even have to be gay. My father was raised by a brother and sister domestic partnership after his dad was killed in WWII.
What the activists want is approval, not toleration. In fact, they have declared silence as “hate”.
The fact remains, that whether you approve of it or not, gay unions are different than traditional marriage, and using the same word is deceptive and evil.
My siblings demanded the window seats. I got the middle, with the view straight out the front window, and my feet stretched out on the arm rest in the front seat. Heaven.
We played games. There was the car color game, the license plate alphabet game (find the alphabet in order), the license plate state game (how many different states) and others – it was a long time ago. We also sang songs. The best part was that there was usually a visit to a relative at the end.I liked road trips!
I have a thought how Ellie can redeem the mess she created. Assuming “taking turns” applies to other things than the car window, once they are home she can inform Elizabeth that she forfeited her turn to watch TV to Michael, since she took his turn for the car window. Granted, it will cause another tantrum, but at home it’s pretty easy to haul her off to her room, shut the door and ignore her while she screams herself blue in the face. Or at least much easier than trying to ignore her while stuck in the car.
Templo S.U.D. over 11 years ago
No wonder why Elizabeth was so cranky: nap time.
legaleagle48 over 11 years ago
Younger siblings. You can’t live with them, and your parents won’t let you kill them! ;-)
sameyers over 11 years ago
As a parent, I completely understand Ellie’s plea to Michael. But oh how unfair it is from a child’s point of view! (especially when the younger sibling is gloating as Elizabeth is)
Reya85 over 11 years ago
There are two windows! Why can’t they both get window seats!
kfccanada over 11 years ago
I remember days like that…surprised I’m not still in therapy…
nickel_penny over 11 years ago
And this, parents of the world, is exactly why your kids are such brats. They figured out that all they have to do is scream and shriek, and they get their way “for the sake of peace”.
alondra over 11 years ago
It was never like this when I was growing up. My two brothers always got their way and I was the one stuck sitting in the middle. I was the youngest too.
jeanie5448 over 11 years ago
who is the other boy and why is he on a family “sunday drive”?
legaleagle48 over 11 years ago
It’s been legal there for years. Where have you been?
legaleagle48 over 11 years ago
Yes, and I’ll bet that you got away with stuff that would have gotten your sisters the death penalty. I’m the oldest of four boys, and my brothers always got away with stuff that I would never have dared to pull, which is why younger siblings in general get zero sympathy from me when they complain about how hard it was to grow up as the younger ones! :-P
JeNagVaz over 11 years ago
Never thought about it before, but with the advent of mandatory car seats (which become stationary) over the past 25+ years, arguing over who gets the window seat is no longer a conditioned behavior.
androscoggin over 11 years ago
Elizabeth “wins” because she’ll whine & screech the longest. I was the compliant (middle) child. My sibs grew up to be self confident; I grew up to be a mousy pushover. Training, or inborn? Or maybe some of each.
ladamson1918 over 11 years ago
In my (extended) family, the boys got the perks and the girls got chores. Maybe the idea then was that since the boys would have to do military service, and we were so good at getting involved in wars, that boys got an automatic free pass.Still, that really is some bad parenting there, imo.
dan.fusco Premium Member over 11 years ago
Um, wouldn’t Liz be in fixed car seat at this age? Even Michael should be in one, right? Both of them would have window seats if this was the case. But I forget, this was a flashback to the early 80’s, if I am not miss taken, right?
Asharah over 11 years ago
Congrats Ellie, you have taught Elizabeth that if she screams & fusses loud enough, she can get her way.
legaleagle48 over 11 years ago
Correct. Fixed car seats didn’t exist 25 years ago — and at nine, Michael would have been far too old to ride in one even if they had!
Gretchen's Mom over 11 years ago
Thankfully I only had 1 sibling growing up so there were never any arguments between us over whose turn it was to sit next to the window.
I thinks it’s extremely bad parenting on Elly’s part to insist that Michael give Lizzy what’s rightfully his (which is his turn to sit next to the window) in order to shut her up. That will only serve 2 purposes, and neither of them good: 1.) to show Lizzy that screaming and throwing a tantrum will get her whatever she wants — whenever she wants it, and 2.) it will cause Michael to have resentment towards his little sister so that instead of them occasionally arguing about some things, they’ll argue constantly about everything.
I get where he’s coming from because I always felt like my parents were giving ME the short end of the stick in favor of my younger sister, too, when I was growing up. It created a great deal of anger, resentment, jealousy and hurt feelings on my part towards her, which, in turn, made it difficult for us to get along with each other . . . not to mention the loss of respect I had for both my mom and dad in the process because of their poor parenting skills too. Why people can’t see what their unfair favoritism does to their children under these circumstances, I just don’t know — nor do I understand it. But then after years of such behavior, these same people turn around and wonder why all their kids just can’t get along with each other!
Meanwhile, in the future, I’d suggest leaving Lawrence at home with his mother (pathetic though she is) so that BOTH Michael and Lizzy can sit next to a window and all the arguing on this particular subject can just STOP!
Davison77 over 11 years ago
She’s a brat.
sandramackin over 11 years ago
Thank you for including this for all of us to read. It was very thoughtful of you.
Gokie5 over 11 years ago
“so perhaps, backseat sibling feuds are fewer now.”Nuhn-UNH! The very afternoon I ferried the three granddaughters to the lobby of the church I attend, to get newspapers at Starbucks, to a restaurant, to a clothing store, the mall play area, and a grocery store, and there was intermittent STURM UND DRANG, especially with the six-year-old, who seems to be in her delayed Terrible Two’s. So I practice poor parenting. Sue me.
Asharah over 11 years ago
DO NOT knock Connie’s parenting! Lawrence grew into a considerate, compassionate young man, so clearly she must have been doing something right. Especially since she had to do it alone most of the time.
JP Steve Premium Member over 11 years ago
When I was a kid our Sunday drives would usually end at a beach or lake, with usually a stop for ice cream of French fries (or both.) Plenty of incentive to invite a friend along, and we could entertain each other. Everybody wins!
stuart over 11 years ago
Gay “marriage” has been legal in the US under different names (e.g. civil union, domestic partners) in every practical sense ever since the end of Sodomy laws. Religious ceremony, legal arrangement for inheritance and medical decision making, etc, were all available long before then.
You don’t even have to be gay. My father was raised by a brother and sister domestic partnership after his dad was killed in WWII.
What the activists want is approval, not toleration. In fact, they have declared silence as “hate”.
The fact remains, that whether you approve of it or not, gay unions are different than traditional marriage, and using the same word is deceptive and evil.
ewalnut over 11 years ago
I never understood why anyone would want to go on a “Sunday drive.”
mrs.carlier Premium Member over 11 years ago
My siblings demanded the window seats. I got the middle, with the view straight out the front window, and my feet stretched out on the arm rest in the front seat. Heaven.
Deborah N Lurie over 11 years ago
We played games. There was the car color game, the license plate alphabet game (find the alphabet in order), the license plate state game (how many different states) and others – it was a long time ago. We also sang songs. The best part was that there was usually a visit to a relative at the end.I liked road trips!
scottjsmith.peng over 11 years ago
Yes, it is legally recognized nation-wide since 2005. We were the 4th country in the world to take the leap.
loves raising duncan over 11 years ago
Favoring the youngest much, Eliie?
Asharah over 11 years ago
I have a thought how Ellie can redeem the mess she created. Assuming “taking turns” applies to other things than the car window, once they are home she can inform Elizabeth that she forfeited her turn to watch TV to Michael, since she took his turn for the car window. Granted, it will cause another tantrum, but at home it’s pretty easy to haul her off to her room, shut the door and ignore her while she screams herself blue in the face. Or at least much easier than trying to ignore her while stuck in the car.
Asharah over 11 years ago
Forgot to include that next time she throws a tantrum over the car window, she can be reminded of the consequences she suffered last time.