What is wrong with today's parents?

Seriously. They seem to have no clue.

You know, there was a day when a parent would slow their child down when in the presence of a smaller toddler aged child, instead of watching their child hop down steps so fast that even their child was in danger of falling, never mind taking out every other child on the steps.

There once was a time when they would hold their child back, and tell them to wait their turn, instead of marching forward with their child and teaching rudeness.

There was a time when parents would guide their child, and tell them, no honey, don't just take the dinosaur from the baby, instead of just blandly watching their child rip the toy away without even a moments thought.

There was a time when parents would tell their child to say they are sorry for running over a toddler, or they would even apologize themselves for their child's mis-behavior, instead of just shrugging.

There was a time when three 7 years olds would be supervised, and told not to run in the presence of others, or hang over the edge, or push their way through, instead of just left to wander on their own.

There was a time when a parent would see a sleeping infant, and tell their child to be quiet, there's a baby sleeping, instead of letting them scream at the top of their lungs.

There was a time when running up, or down, stairs in the presence of others was not allowed, instead of watching your child bull their way through.

There was a time when parents would actually interact with their young children in places such as museums, instead of just dropping them at the most 'child friendly' spot and calling that good.

There was a time when parents were parents.

I want to teach my son to share, to take his turn, to play nicely, to not run, to not push strangers, to not scream beside the sleeping infant, to not take toys from babies, to be mindful of others.

Instead, I have to teach him to defend himself.

Something is not right with that.