Inlaws kid came over. We have an electric fence, over by the cow. We wear rubber boots. We step on fence, and tell little ones, to STEP OVER it. They do. Except nephew. Him not used to listening. He's barefoot. He stepped right on the fence. BOING! He listens better now.
A fried of the kids came to visit, during calving time. We use 35% Japanese Peppermint oil, on the cow's udder, to help keep her away from Mastitis.
Kids tell him, "DONT get any of this on your private area". Guess what? He DELIBERATELY puts it there. YOW! he comes over to the house, and tells me "I ACCIDENTALLY got some of that CAI PAN on my crotch!" The kids were laughing too hard. Later, the kids told me, what happened. I was nearly in tears. He is not used to listening.
He listens now!
It cracks me up, to get somebody that's gonna do the opposite!
N
Decades ago when Mrs. Cow was in about the Seventh Grade they had a man teacher who was far from being an award winner. He told the entire class that not one of them was college material so they should focus on learning job skills rather than pursuing any academic goals. Mrs. Cow decided that day to prove that teacher wrong. Two college degrees and 33+ years of being a teacher later she wants to hunt him down and show him how wrong he was. He did it to be mean, not to spur them on.
I believe in having kids learn that their actions have consequences. When they get close to driving age take them to the Emergency Room on Saturday Night and let them see what reckless driving can do. A shock from an electric fence is a small price to pay for wisdom. Some times a little loving neglect after a warning is the best thing in the long run. They need to learn that reality can be harsh and Mommy and Daddy can't always be there to bail them out.
