If you have children, you'll understand conservatives.

[Bucky]

Sometimes a young child gets angry but lacks the maturity to express what's really bothering them. They'll scream out things like "I hate you" or "I wish you weren't my parents" or "I'm gonna run away from home -- and then you'll be sorry!"

They don't really mean those things and a wise, patient parent won't react to those childish provocations. They understand that a temper tantrum is not something you want to provide negative reinforcement to. The most loving thing to do for this child is to stick firmly to the household rules, reaffirm your unconditional love for them, and model appropriate behavior.

Later, when the tantrum subsides, you can create a teachable moment and explain to them the proper way to express these feelings in ways and words that their little developing minds can understand. But it's critical not to let the unruly child set the agenda for a healthy and loving household.

[HillbillyBob]

1. Or just beat the hell out of them & send them to their room

with out supper! :sarcasm:

[Bucky]

7. or without their tax breaks

[IDemo]

2. The child from "The Excorcist", maybe

I can't imagine even an immature, unschooled child uttering something like "American taxpayers are Obama's Jews in the ovens" (seen on a teasucker's sign on last nights news).

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

3. Bucky, I think you're generally right about this.

And your best point was the last one...about not letting the unruly child set the agenda. The responsible adults have work to do...important work, changing the diapers and other messes this adolescent ideology have created...and can't be allowed to get distracted by the temper tantrums.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

4. Still, if a child told me that they would shoot me if I didn't give them a popsicle

I have to admit I would be worried.

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

5. True enough!

I wouldn't suggest shooting them, but maybe give them a timeout? (Oh, wait, isn't that what the voters have been doing to them since the last election?) Maybe they need confinement, with only a copy of the U. S. Constitution and a constant stream of Thom Hartmann radio programs?

[JohnnyLib2]

6. VERY useful concept.

Thanks! Rec.