"BRATS" in the coffee shop

Today, I again have the joy of working as I usually do…. in a comfy chair at a groovy little coffee shop not far from my kids’ school.  I am looking out at the drizzling rain and sipping a delicious cup of coffee.  It is hard to differentiate between the steam from my cup and the steam from my ears!  =)

There is a father here with two children.   I am not sure of his purpose.  He has already gotten his coffee, and now wonders back and forth – the length of the entire shop hollering the kids names!  The children’s purpose is quite clear, however:  destroy, disrupt, and do whatever the heck they want!  Currently, the girl has run behind the counter and into the kitchen, while the young boy has climbed onto a patrons table and is trying to type on the man’s computer.  The poor man doesn’t know who to get first, so the nice barista has helped out and is trying to convince the girl (less than 2 years old) to leave her kitchen.  This is just a moment’s snapshot… as this type of behavior has gone on for about 30 minutes now. 

With all due respect, I would never call these kids “BRATS”… (The title was just to get your attention!)  Seriously, there are no “bratty kids”… only unwilling parents.  Parents unwilling to exert authority.  Parents lacking confidence in their ability to parent.  Parents unwilling to win a few “battles”… so they can ultimately win their child’s respect. 

All this gets me thinking though… I can think back to when my own professional behavior was equally “disruptive”, “disorderly” and without true purpose or direction.  Today, I wonder what opportunities I missed…. due to my own lack of willingness to exert FINAL authority over my business and career…. due to my own unwillingness to win a few “battles” to gain major ground…  Today I decide:  Never again!