Copycat

I can't help but feel sad and angry at the same time at what I saw in the mall the other weekend. This is what happened...

I wasn't feeling well when Aris and his mom decided to make a short stop at the supermarket before we head home. I decided to sit at this area with all the chairs where some customers (specifically those with kids) would rest while waiting for their companions in the supermarket. So I was sitting there minding my own business when two boys (ages roughly 9 and 5) with their yaya sat at the two chairs beside mine. The yaya was trying to put a small towel at the back of the youngest kid because it was what their mom asked her to do. The kid kept on fidgeting and the older boy was showing his little brother how to kick their yaya. Being a complete copycat at that age, the little boy kicked the yaya on her shin. I almost felt the pain. The yaya then reprimanded the older boy and told him not to teach his little brother those things because he only copies him. The older boy then answered: "Eh syempre yaya gagayahin niya ako, kasi kapatid nya ako!!!" The yaya then patiently replied: "Kaya nga, wag mo yan pakita kasi masama yang ginagawa mo." The next reply of the older boy left my mouth hanging. He said: "Wag mo nga ako pinapagsabihan. Katulong ka lang namin! Wala kang karapatan!" As I was looking at the kid, he looked so mean. Parang sa pelikula ko lang naririnig or nakikita ang ganyang asal sa bata. Grabe!! After that, the older wasn't contented with what he said and he punched the yaya on her belly. Todo na ito! He was so mean to the yaya. I can see the yaya in tears.

And then it all became clear to me when I saw the parents come out of the supermarket. Once they saw the yaya, they dumped their shopping bags at her and expected her to carry everything plus the stuff for their kids. The mom then approached the older boy and asked what he wanted. The older boy then switched to 'baby talk' and said that he wanted ice cream. I was even shocked when the boy told his mom that he's willing to give up the disney world tickets that they promised him if they would just buy him an Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii. Talk about being spoiled.

I don't want to make any assumptions nor pass judgment. But based on what I saw, it is clear that what the parents do, the kids will imitate. They treat the yaya like some slave so that's how the kids treat her. I feel awful for the poor girl. I think she's even underaged. Tsk tsk tsk... I was fuming mad at the kid that whenever he'd look at me, pinandidilatan ko sya ng mata ko! LOL!