What is infecting the kids in our community?
WilCo-itis.
It’s infecting children everywhere in my community, Williamson County. It may be genetic, but it is highly contagious from kid to kid. I felt like it was my duty to inform you as I’ve seen signs of it in my own children from time to time. Here are 7 signs your child might be suffering from WilCo-itis:
- The idea that any “break” from school demands an amazing vacation.
- If you didn’t beach it at 30A, your child may not even consider it “the beach.”
- A little man on a horse is no longer a good enough shirt emblem. It has to be a whale or you can just forget it.
- Sonic happy hour? No. Frappes from Starbies.
- Duckface with a peace sign is the only selfie worth posting on social media.
- Expecting a car before their sixteenth birthday.
- Nike is so old school, Under Armour and Lulu are the only athletic clothes to be seen in. Even if you’re not being particularly “athletic.”
I know it sounds bad but don’t worry, it can be remedied. Sometimes it stays in the system for a while so it’s hard to kick, but hang in there. The treatment for this is going to be hard, parents. You will have to be vigilant. So here’s the cure:
WORK.
That’s it. Make your kids do work. Then make them use the money they WORKED TO EARN to pay for their own Starbies and whale shirts. Some other treatments are: phone deprivation, staying home during school breaks, and keeping your money in your own wallet. These are also effective.
Now, I have to warn you, the side effects of the treatment can be brutal. Here are 7 side effects that come with the cure for WilCo-itis.
- HEAVY eye-rolling
- Huffing
- Puffing
- Complaining
- The phrase “But ___________’s parents don’t make him/her work!”
- Overall tiredness
- Grouchiness
I know, the side effects look grim especially if you have to live with them every day. Not the kids, you. You will have to live with them every day. It will be hard but I think you can do it. YOU have the ability to raise children that aren’t entitled little jerks running around with their parents’ credit card. YOU are the parent, not the fun/entertainment director. YOUR KIDS ARE NOT THE BOSS OF YOU. You are the boss, and occasionally, you let them make choices and you don’t have to feel bad about it. Even the tweens need (GASP) guidance even though they know everything already. You are equipped to do this. You can cure your kids of this nasty disease and they will be better humans for it. Together we can beat Wilco-itis.
-Courtney
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