Jimmy Kimmel asked his viewers to video tape their children while telling them they ate their candy. As you would expect the children’s response is so funny. I think it is normal for the child in this case to be very upset. But the response of the last three or four children was unpredictable, at least for me.
I think most of us have seen how some children scream or threw a tantrum when they don’t get what they want or something goes against their well. I think the children in this video acted like any other child but I really liked how calm were the last three children. My question is what made these children act this way?
I am not a parent but I would love that my child, in the future, doesn’t go crazy when he loses a toy or if another child eats his candy. Do you think the children who were calm about losing their candy acted this way because their parents taught them about sharing? Could it be because not all children love candy? Is it something due to the parents’ genes (some people are calmer than others)? I am not sure and would love to know from you what you think.
Anyway, here is another video of the cute last girl in the previous video. The conversation between the mother and the daughter is just amazing. Enjoy!
J A R A A D S 
This is too cruel to be funny. Betraying the trust of a child in a parent is a very dubious prank. Children love Hallowe’en and feel they have earned their candy. The people they are they most dependent on have just stolen it from them. Seriously, making your children distraught for a few seconds of fame? Those who weren’t outwardly distraught may have a more placid temperament, a more fragile relationship with their parent and so cannot jeopardize it, or feel they need to parent a vulnerable parent. Sorry, this is really a lame way to get laughs and publicity. Jimmy Kimnel should stick to burning DWTS shoes.
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Interesting point of view. I think you have a valid point here about the trust issue. But I didn’t think of it as being cruel. Maybe because I am not a parent or for whatever reason.
“feel they need to parent a vulnerable parent” I have never heard of such thing before. This is very interesting. It is terrible that some children at this young age feel their relationship with their parents is fragile.
Thanks for the feedback.
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Thanks for the reply. There is a concept in developmental psychology called “the parentified child”, when for whatever reason the child has to take on some of the parenting roles. This commonly happens in immigrant families in the case where the parents have little oral or written command of the dominant language, and the child acts as interpreter, translator, and scribe (eg for various forms). It can also happen in single-parent families, or where a parent is emotionally needy, or depressed. In small doses it is not a problem, but an imbalance can be difficult for the child, giving them too much responsibility for things beyond their maturity level.
There is also a concept from attachment theory of child development, and of relationships, called “anxious attachment” whereby the relationship or one person it is is not stable enough for an secure bond to be formed. Children are very good at reading these types of things, and at maintaining bonds that are lifesaving for them (3 year olds are not self-sufficient), even while realizing that the bond may be subject to “interruptions”.
I’m sorry to be so negative about this video. I wondered if it was partly my mood at the time of commenting, but I still hold the same view (or the same mood! 🙂 😛 )
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You reminded me how much I miss your posts. There is always something new to learn 🙂
Now, to be more objective, without doubting these theories, I think when it comes to parenting there is no one perfect parenting. And as you know scientist always in disagreement over theories, not facts.
I LOVE the way American parents talk to their children. They treat them like adults by asking them their opinions. For example, when they enter a restaurant they usually ask the child where he wants to sit and what he would like to eat. In general, American children are taught to make their own decision. This is in no way happen to Arab children.
Now, here is the shocking outcome. These very nice and cute American children develop a different personality when they become teens. I think compared to Arab teens, American teens become very rebellious and and maybe not so nice to their parents.
Of course, one would argue that Arab teens are nice out of fear from their parents not out of respect.
My father used to throw me from the highest diving board (10 meters) when I was only THREE. You can see how some parents would look at my father. But I became a very good swimmer (not anymore of course) and I love my father 🙂
I am sure when you went to Morroco you were shocked how parents would let their children play in the street. Americans would look at this behavior as not good parenting. They might have a point but I am sure some of these street kids are going one day to become Engineers and Doctors.
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I loved this! Sounds like a question I should have asked you about the differences in parenting styles that you’ve noticed. Thanks for throwing that in here. 🙂
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hahaha…
A 39-year-old single man talking about parenting. That would be very weird 🙂
But as the kid in the Kite Runner used to say “For you, a thousand times over.” 🙂
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I agree with Chiara. This is cruel. Kids that age aren’t old enough to reason like adults. I do agree that that little girl was beyond adorable. The mother is lucky to have such a calm, understanding little girl. My heart melted when she told her mother that she could make it up to her by spending time with her.
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Yes, that little girl is something indeed. She is so cute.
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I saw this only yday on Rain`s blog (chasing pavements)
I think cruel but I`m sure the parents immediately afterwards eased their pain(s) 🙂
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There were two clips were the parent told her children that what she said wasn’t true. The kids were so relieved 🙂
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That last little girl is so cute – and gracious!
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Yes, she is. She is going to be a smart girl.
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Okay…clearly I would be a terrible, terrible parent because I found the whole video funny.
I don’t see how this is any more of a betrayal of trust then lying to kids for years and years about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy and then either finally revealing the truth or letting the other kids they meet tell them. But I don’t have kids, so I’m speaking from the peanut gallery on anything about children.
One of my coworkers raised her three children without junk food or candy at all. They went Trick Or Treating but it wasn’t about the candy for them, it was about the costumes and the fun with their friends. They would each get one piece of candy at the end of the night and then they gave the rest of it away to other kids in the neighborhood. Now, even after they’ve gotten older and attend public school where candy is more readily available to them, they pass it up in favor of the fruits and vegetables that they grew up on.
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I have a cousin back home who also doesn’t allow his children to eat junk food or drink soda. His problem is with the other parents because some of them think he should allow his children to have junk food and drink soda, like the rest of the Jordanian kids. I think it is extremely hard to be in his or your coworker’s shoes. They believe what they do is for the sake of their children but then their children might feel different than the rest.
As exciting and beautiful to have children I think parenting is not easy.
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I loved them all! and the last 3 kids are just amazing!
but why did they act like that? I don’t know! sure I know that their parents are so lucky to have them.
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You can read a professional opinion from Chiara above. I also mentioned in my reply that American parents treat their children like adults. I always like it when I am in a coffee shop or restaurant and hear their conversations. The parents always ask the kid his opinion and they give him as much time as he needs. If they didn’t think his opinion is good they try to convince him against it with logic not by just saying “No.”
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