No Child Can Cry

[Alison]

Big group of kids.  Agents.  Parents.  And

You're On!  Just You!  Yay!!!  You!!!

I get the feeling that we're supposed to keep every kids from crying at the event.
We can do it - coochee, cuchee, coooo.  But I dont' like it.  Turns out that the demanding
kid, the crybaby, those kids get our attention - get rewarded for those ridiculous attitudes -
while the 'good' kids who are curious, respectful, calm - we can get away with barely giving them
any attention. 

It's Not Fair.

How do you feel about those situations?

[Sherry]

If they're crying, I usually tell the parent I can't paint them.  I think they have to be willing and want this.  When they're crying, I think they're just young and over tired and something the parents would handle.

I feel like I do my best with quieter kids at times.  I feel the need to give them more special attention.

[elinus]

I had a girl the other day crying because she had to wait her turn to be painted. I kept to my guns and told her she had to wait her turn. Her mum even came over to me and had a go saying that she should be painted straight away because she was upset. I stuck at my guns and said she would have to wait like everyone else. I was really surprised by this mum, as a mum myself I always teach my kids about taking turns, waiting and that they don't get their own way if they cry or play up. I felt so sorry for the other children. The little girl I was painting said "its okay I will wait becuse she is crying" I told this girl it was very sweet of her to offer her place but we all need to take turns and it will be her turn soon.I feel guilty for sticking at my guns but I just feel it is not fair on the other children to push people in the que because they are crying. What do u think?
Ginaxxxx

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

Last Thursday, I had a girl in line that was fussing and being obnoxiously loud and irritating. I said to the whole line,"I only paint WELL BEHAVED children." She immediately was quiet and then walked away. But I've used this several times. Touch my paints - no painting on you. Kids want it soooo bad, that I usually get the behavior that I want. No parents yet have disagreed. Several, I think, we grateful! WE HAVE SUPREME POWER!

[Alison]

Yes!  You know what I'm talking about!

I was hesitant to post my original message - that you might think that I don't
arrive with Party Spirit or something.  But some kids/parents are out-of-line.
In more ways than one.  And I'm not confused/panicked just because somebody
cries or demands.  I'm old enough to know better.

What I think about Gina's story - Bravo!  So I'm not the only one.
(although I might have been tempted to let the crier in when the
super-good girl offered her spot.  Just because I want to appease
people.  But I know what it's like to be behind a 'too polite driver'
in NYC.  You have to have a Litl edge, or you're not getting anywhere ~
So what I probably would have done in that situation was to acknowledge
that going in front of the first girl - is actually going in front of All the kids
who Are waiting their turn.  Perhaps by saying something like "Oh, that's
sooo nice of you.  If everyone else agrees....."  And then I would have
asked the Whole Line if Anybody minded this extra person jumping in to
the front of the line.  If Anybody spoke up, I would have turned down
the interloper.  But if nobody spoke up, I would have given full attention
and done a good job on the extra kid.  Just glad to keep the peace.)

Anyway, Gina, I am Soooo glad to see that I'm not the Only confident
grown-up.   And I stick to my rules even if it means that
the crier won't get one - because I am only being paid for a set
amount of time.  And if I force the issue of getting every child done
no matter how many faces in how little time with uncounted waste-my-timers,
there would be no reason for anyone to hire me/pay me my regular fee.  I work
by the hour, not bythe piece.

So far, all the posts I see here are full of good ideas.
You can be proud of Yourselves!