Why Do Parents Scold Their Children Even if They Know the Child Did Not Do Anything Wrong?

It is a question that often arises: why do parents scold their children even if they know that the child did not do anything wrong intentionally, such as spilling water?

Let us consider a scenario where a parent requires something in their daily routine, for instance, a glog. The only reason for obtaining a glog is for another household member to use it safely when they need it. A limited number of glogs exist in the home, and regular maintenance is necessary to ensure the availability of these essential items for those who rely on them.

The Maintenance of Glogs

Assuming that maintaining the glog is not a thrilling task, someone must take on this responsibility, and it has always been the parent. It only takes about 20 minutes to complete, an easy and manageable task. However, one day, the parent finds that the glogs are missing. The search for these necessary items is not just a quick task but an extensive hunt, consuming unnecessary time and effort. This is because individuals who benefit from the parent's regular and reliable maintenance and stocking of glogs have not returned them.

In this example, the glog is used as a placeholder for items such as dishes, laundry, or clutter. The scenario can easily translate to any household item that needs to be used and returned. The act of leaving these items unattended and unreturned can be seen as leveraging someone else's care and service to the detriment of the individual's own time and well-being.

Time and Effort Misappropriated

The parent must now not only find the missing glogs and maintain them, but they also have to spend more time and energy on household tasks that are crucial for the safety and convenience of themselves and their family members. Additionally, they might waste time that they would prefer to spend engaging in hobbies or other activities.

This scenario repeats itself, leading to a cumulative impact. Over the course of a year, the parent could lose up to 250 hours due to missing or unreturned glogs. This could equate to the time needed to:

Become decent at playing a musical instrument like the guitar or clarinet. Engage in yoga and improve physical fitness. Run a mile every day, resulting in a significant health benefit.

These 250 hours represent a substantial amount of a person's life, time that could have been used for personal growth or relaxation.

Is It Wrong Not to Return a Glog?

It is worth pondering whether it is wrong to not return a glog. Is it a significant issue not to return a glog? Indeed, it is a pattern that exploits someone else's care and service to the detriment of one's own life.

This behavior extends beyond just glogs and can be applied to other household items and responsibilities. It includes:

Messing up what someone else has cleaned and leaving the mess. Misusing their belongings so that they cannot find or use them when needed. Putting people in a position to wait for you and waste their time. Breaking other obligations, causing tardiness, and then passing the burden to someone else.

These actions disrespect the individual's effort and time. Treating someone else as a servant when one is capable of pitching in is equally wrong. Each incident might seem trivial but collectively, it can be maddening, causing frustration and anger among family members.

Parents and guardians must understand the importance of shared responsibilities and the impact of neglecting them. Communication, setting clear expectations, and modeling responsible behavior can help foster a more respectful and efficient household environment.

Remember, treating each other with respect and understanding the value of time and effort is crucial for a harmonious family dynamic.