Go to your room and stay there!

She scowled and she moped and she even threw a fit. She got loud and cranky when she was being taught something she didn't want to learn.
It wasn't the subject she wanted.
It wasn't the teacher she wanted.
She made everyone else uncomfortable and confused and she tried to embarrass the educator.
She even started taking it out on innocent passers-by.
I wanted to shake her until Social Services made me stop.

She's not my daughter. She's not even a child. She's nearly 40 and she's been throwing a hissy fit for a few days because she didn't get her way.

I'm blown away by the behavior of a grown woman. A mom. A professional.

I like her. Yet, if she WERE family this would embarrasses me tremendously. I feel as if she's let me down with her tantrum. I would withhold dessert, take away toys or ground from friends if my child was to act this way.

So, I ask, WHY does a responsible, mature, grown woman get to be a spoiled brat? What is the difference that an immature, irrational, emotional toddler would get her bottom swatted or get confined to time out?
How is it reasonable that I now want to beat my kids into perfect form? Is it acceptable for me to beat HER into appropriate form?

I'm baffled.

I guess I'll just go wake my kids and lecture them on being graceful. They probably need the lesson anyways. It is, obviously, in short supply in this part of the world.