Just today I witnessed my story to add to the list. My little outdoor shop wasnt too busy for a little while so I was able to enjoy the Guests and all that. Well, a mom comes up and pays for a couple of things and two face paints. I look over and see her daughter who couldnt have been more than 7 and a son no older than 3. As she is paying, the son, who was absolutely adorable with his little tiger face, calls out that he got water on his face and the paint. He had reached into the water bin thing- probably because it was 98 and he was hot! Well, the mom did the last thing I expected her to do. She totally let loose on this kid. She started yelling at him saying how angry she was at him for messing up the paint she just spent $30. I mean, full out yelling, right in his face. Remember, he isnt older than 3 and I doubt if he understood what he had done. After she finishes paying me (the yelling got in the way of that) she goes back over to the face painter and has him touch it up. At least she was nice about it and the painter didnt mind. But as this is going on, she is still telling her son how angry she is. In the middle of her long tirade, I hear her daughter finally speak and innocently ask if her paint was messed up too. The mom's reply " No baby, your's is *perfect*. You look like a princess" in this syrupy sweet tone. It made me so irritated. How can a mom be like that to her kids? All she should have done was gently told her son how to not rub his face. I've worked with kids enough to know how to get them to do what you want. And even if they dont- they are just kids. Cant expect them to be perfect when it's scorching hot outside and all they want is to cool their face off. Sheesh. Of all the times to not be able to say anything...
