Comments on: Tanks http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/ Web design news and insights since 1995 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:01:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Claudia Snell http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-19931 Claudia Snell Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:30:26 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-19931 Funny thing about tanks. A parenting expert once told me to remove my son's favorite toys from his room when he acted up. It was supposed to get his attention. Then, I could let him earn, through good behavior, the toys back. Well, in theory a good idea. I tried it though. We had one of those days that turned into a stand-off. I ended up with ALL of his toys in my room, including his prized Batman toys. At that point he looked at me and with all the defiance his 4-year-old self could muster said, "you can take all my batman toys but you can't stop me from thinking about him!" Oh dear.... He's now 19. We survived. He's well-behaved but still owns his mind. When he did that I was proud and also very deflated all in one moment. Kids. Funny thing about tanks. A parenting expert once told me to remove my son’s favorite toys from his room when he acted up. It was supposed to get his attention. Then, I could let him earn, through good behavior, the toys back. Well, in theory a good idea. I tried it though. We had one of those days that turned into a stand-off. I ended up with ALL of his toys in my room, including his prized Batman toys. At that point he looked at me and with all the defiance his 4-year-old self could muster said, “you can take all my batman toys but you can’t stop me from thinking about him!” Oh dear….

He’s now 19. We survived. He’s well-behaved but still owns his mind. When he did that I was proud and also very deflated all in one moment. Kids.

]]> By: emily http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-7205 emily Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:36:39 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-7205 I'm of the "you have to actually use the tanks" camp. Kids learn quick and remember well ;) I’m of the “you have to actually use the tanks” camp.
Kids learn quick and remember well ;)

]]> By: Jeff Wilkinson http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-7194 Jeff Wilkinson Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:08:32 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-7194 The problem with these authority head-games we have to have with our children as they grow is that they understand and play the game intuitively -- whereas we have to try to *think* out the issues and how our actions will likely work... Definitely a disadvantage. If parenting came as easy as pushing-the-limits comes to kids, life would sure be easier. The problem with these authority head-games we have to have with our children as they grow is that they understand and play the game intuitively — whereas we have to try to *think* out the issues and how our actions will likely work… Definitely a disadvantage.

If parenting came as easy as pushing-the-limits comes to kids, life would sure be easier.

]]> By: Sheldon Kotyk http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6938 Sheldon Kotyk Mon, 08 Jan 2007 19:01:29 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6938 I forgot to mention, make it look like you are playing with them as they work with their stickers. As long as they think they have your attention... I forgot to mention, make it look like you are playing with them as they work with their stickers. As long as they think they have your attention…

]]> By: Sheldon Kotyk http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6937 Sheldon Kotyk Mon, 08 Jan 2007 18:57:57 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6937 Sticker books work wonders. Keeps our toddlers busy while we talk and eat. Sticker books work wonders. Keeps our toddlers busy while we talk and eat.

]]> By: ckunte.com | Parenting is like PSYOPS http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6933 ckunte.com | Parenting is like PSYOPS Mon, 08 Jan 2007 17:33:55 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6933 [...] Mr Z says parenting is like PSYOPS. Hilarious, as it happens to everyone with 2-year olds. (I have one, and she’s a real prim and proper doll. She always says: I’m so sorry daddy, so sorry, if she does a mess accidentally.) So, my experience says girls are tamer. [...] [...] Mr Z says parenting is like PSYOPS. Hilarious, as it happens to everyone with 2-year olds. (I have one, and she’s a real prim and proper doll. She always says: I’m so sorry daddy, so sorry, if she does a mess accidentally.) So, my experience says girls are tamer. [...]

]]> By: Rachel Andrew http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6907 Rachel Andrew Sun, 07 Jan 2007 20:31:30 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6907 To those who grumble that children shouldn't be in restaurants - how on earth do you expect them to learn how to behave in public if you never take them out in public? I have an almost 10 year old daughter. She comes everywhere with me, always has, especially when she was pre-school. Since she was tiny, whenever we are eating out or in a non 'child friendly' environment, people ask 'how do you get her to be so good?' and the answer is that she has learned, through watching other people and being included, how to behave. At this point all I have to do is raise an eyebrow if she starts being loud etc. and she knows. She really enjoys eating out, meeting people, going to Linux conferences etc. and she knows she wouldn't get to do that if she acts up. My 'tanks' now are that I might very well just get her a babysitter! (of course it probably won't be long and she'll refuse to be seen anywhere with me!) To those who grumble that children shouldn’t be in restaurants – how on earth do you expect them to learn how to behave in public if you never take them out in public?

I have an almost 10 year old daughter. She comes everywhere with me, always has, especially when she was pre-school. Since she was tiny, whenever we are eating out or in a non ‘child friendly’ environment, people ask ‘how do you get her to be so good?’ and the answer is that she has learned, through watching other people and being included, how to behave. At this point all I have to do is raise an eyebrow if she starts being loud etc. and she knows. She really enjoys eating out, meeting people, going to Linux conferences etc. and she knows she wouldn’t get to do that if she acts up. My ‘tanks’ now are that I might very well just get her a babysitter!

(of course it probably won’t be long and she’ll refuse to be seen anywhere with me!)

]]> By: Jeff Sargent: A parenting insight from Jeffrey Zeldman http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6905 Jeff Sargent: A parenting insight from Jeffrey Zeldman Sun, 07 Jan 2007 15:39:41 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6905 <!--%kramer-ref-pre%-->[...] Jeffrey Zeldman of web standards fame posted today about a humorous and accurate insight into parenting his wife made at a recent dinner. I'm sure I'll think about this when I see my two boys tonight. Here it is, in permalinky goodness: http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/. P.S. - This is my first Blogger post via email; if it looks funky, my apologies. [...]<!--%kramer-ref-post%--> [...] Jeffrey Zeldman of web standards fame posted today about a humorous and accurate insight into parenting his wife made at a recent dinner. I’m sure I’ll think about this when I see my two boys tonight. Here it is, in permalinky goodness: http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/. P.S. – This is my first Blogger post via email; if it looks funky, my apologies. [...]

]]> By: Manny http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6898 Manny Sun, 07 Jan 2007 10:45:11 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6898 Raising your kid is like football. If they don't take iniative when the ball is in their hands, sack that ass! Raising your kid is like outdoor camping. If they can't wipe with a leaf then they don't need to eat dinner. Having kids is like snorting cocaine. It sounded like a good idea at the time but when its all said and done, you're broke and theres nothing in the house to eat that tastes good. Raising your kid is like cooking. If it goes wrong you can always feed it to the dog. Raising your kid is like football. If they don’t take iniative when the ball is in their hands, sack that ass!

Raising your kid is like outdoor camping. If they can’t wipe with a leaf then they don’t need to eat dinner.

Having kids is like snorting cocaine. It sounded like a good idea at the time but when its all said and done, you’re broke and theres nothing in the house to eat that tastes good.

Raising your kid is like cooking. If it goes wrong you can always feed it to the dog.

]]> By: Andy Davies http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6896 Andy Davies Sun, 07 Jan 2007 10:05:11 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6896 Good on you... To those who complain about two year olds in resturants, don't be so stuffy. If kids aren't taken out to eat in public how will they learn to behave in public? We've taken out my daughter since she was very young, is now eleven and has wider tastes than many adults I know. We're take out one year old out with us quite often (except if it's after bed time) and he's pretty good, but as with everyone including adults he has his odd moments. Andy Good on you…

To those who complain about two year olds in resturants, don’t be so stuffy.

If kids aren’t taken out to eat in public how will they learn to behave in public?

We’ve taken out my daughter since she was very young, is now eleven and has wider tastes than many adults I know. We’re take out one year old out with us quite often (except if it’s after bed time) and he’s pretty good, but as with everyone including adults he has his odd moments.

Andy

]]> By: ★ pulse ★ [90 items] http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6895 ★ pulse ★ [90 items] Sun, 07 Jan 2007 09:47:42 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6895 <!--%kramer-ref-pre%-->[...] Jeffrey Zeldman Presents : Re: Tanks - "Toddlers have off-nights just like adults do. Instead of drinking and swearing, they find unusual locations for butter." Tags : humor parenting [...]<!--%kramer-ref-post%--> [...] Jeffrey Zeldman Presents : Re: Tanks – “Toddlers have off-nights just like adults do. Instead of drinking and swearing, they find unusual locations for butter.” Tags : humor parenting [...]

]]> By: Tyson http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6892 Tyson Sun, 07 Jan 2007 06:45:19 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6892 Hi Jeffery. man. i gotta salute you. after reading a few of the 'you should be ashamed to take your daughter to a restaraunt' posts i felt like dropping the gloves. But as always, your rebutals are fair and decent. just like you. ( and your wife's brought a smile to my face :) to those of you with children, you've been in this situation before. you get it. it happens. no one especially likes it, least of all the parents of the child, but you get through it and move on, and hopefully learn something, (ie, the PSYOPS idea for example) To those of you in the 'stay at home or get a baby-sitter' camp. look. those of us with kids, you may be surprised to know, actually like spending time with them. that includes taking them out to restaraunts, parks, the mall, etc. now, most of the time, they're fine and everyone has a good time. but occasionally, as Jeffery has noted, we all have an off day. these off days, or moments can't be predicted. it's not a science. you just have to weather it out and do the best you can. keeping the kids at home, not going out, or hiring a baby-sitter. how is your child ever going to learn proper behaviour if they aren't exposed to life? anyhow, end of rant. i agree with jeffery and his wife. and being a dad, when you see something like this happen, you tend to smile and think a) thank god it's not mine doing this, and b) hey...that was pretty smart how they just handled that...i'm gonna try that next time! cheers Jeffery! Tyson Hi Jeffery.
man. i gotta salute you. after reading a few of the ‘you should be ashamed to take your daughter to a restaraunt’ posts i felt like dropping the gloves.
But as always, your rebutals are fair and decent. just like you. ( and your wife’s brought a smile to my face :)
to those of you with children, you’ve been in this situation before. you get it. it happens. no one especially likes it, least of all the parents of the child, but you get through it and move on, and hopefully learn something, (ie, the PSYOPS idea for example)
To those of you in the ’stay at home or get a baby-sitter’ camp. look. those of us with kids, you may be surprised to know, actually like spending time with them. that includes taking them out to restaraunts, parks, the mall, etc. now, most of the time, they’re fine and everyone has a good time. but occasionally, as Jeffery has noted, we all have an off day.
these off days, or moments can’t be predicted. it’s not a science. you just have to weather it out and do the best you can.
keeping the kids at home, not going out, or hiring a baby-sitter. how is your child ever going to learn proper behaviour if they aren’t exposed to life?

anyhow, end of rant. i agree with jeffery and his wife. and being a dad, when you see something like this happen, you tend to smile and think a) thank god it’s not mine doing this, and b) hey…that was pretty smart how they just handled that…i’m gonna try that next time!

cheers Jeffery!
Tyson

]]> By: Mark http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6888 Mark Sun, 07 Jan 2007 03:31:26 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6888 I have two toddlers, aged 1 and 2.9. I know where the butter goes. All of you self-absorbed singletons who blithely criticize Jeffrey and his wife should shut up and take the "<a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=%22take+more+than+one+goat%22" rel="nofollow">are you ready to have kids</a>" test. Pay special attention to #2, #8, #11, and #14. I have two toddlers, aged 1 and 2.9. I know where the butter goes. All of you self-absorbed singletons who blithely criticize Jeffrey and his wife should shut up and take the “are you ready to have kids” test. Pay special attention to #2, #8, #11, and #14.

]]> By: spinhead http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6882 spinhead Sat, 06 Jan 2007 20:39:14 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6882 tough call, when to bail and drag the toddler home, when to use it as a learning experience. only real way to decide is look around the room and see if you're the object of bemused but understanding smiles, or homicidal glares. we're currently working on #7 (/me=4,BestBeloved=2,me+BB=1) and even though she's usually better behaved than many adults I know (the toddler, not Best Beloved; she's *always* well-behaved) there are times, lemme tell you; there are times. I do like the idea of teaching children everything there is to know about life before you ever let them out of the house. That way, other adults never have to learn tolerance or show consideration themselves ;) [yeah, it surprises me how quick people are to come here, read a story written by someone whose writing for years has made it obvious he's smart, considerate, and aware, and tell him how wrong he was to make a simple parenting decision. You all get a time out. Learn the same consideration you expect from the parents of all those annoying two-year-olds who must be thronging your local restaurants, and come back and try again.] tough call, when to bail and drag the toddler home, when to use it as a learning experience. only real way to decide is look around the room and see if you’re the object of bemused but understanding smiles, or homicidal glares.

we’re currently working on #7 (/me=4,BestBeloved=2,me+BB=1) and even though she’s usually better behaved than many adults I know (the toddler, not Best Beloved; she’s *always* well-behaved) there are times, lemme tell you; there are times.

I do like the idea of teaching children everything there is to know about life before you ever let them out of the house. That way, other adults never have to learn tolerance or show consideration themselves ;)

[yeah, it surprises me how quick people are to come here, read a story written by someone whose writing for years has made it obvious he's smart, considerate, and aware, and tell him how wrong he was to make a simple parenting decision. You all get a time out. Learn the same consideration you expect from the parents of all those annoying two-year-olds who must be thronging your local restaurants, and come back and try again.]

]]> By: Jon Tan http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6878 Jon Tan Sat, 06 Jan 2007 15:30:54 +0000 http://www.zeldman.com/2007/01/04/tanks/#comment-6878 It's amazing what other posts catch your eye when researching text anti-aliasing. Props to Mrs Zeldman for delicacy and grace under fire. As an oft-bruised buffer between the world and two rambunctious toddlers - employing an arsenal of methods for carnage control - I couldn't help grinning. To those who don't see the warmth and wry humour in this post, don't be too judgmental folks, remember we like people for their good qualities but we love them for their frailties, especially kids. That would also have included you at one time - probably before you started being humourless and intolerant. ;-) It’s amazing what other posts catch your eye when researching text anti-aliasing. Props to Mrs Zeldman for delicacy and grace under fire. As an oft-bruised buffer between the world and two rambunctious toddlers – employing an arsenal of methods for carnage control – I couldn’t help grinning.

To those who don’t see the warmth and wry humour in this post, don’t be too judgmental folks, remember we like people for their good qualities but we love them for their frailties, especially kids. That would also have included you at one time – probably before you started being humourless and intolerant. ;-)

]]>