A pediatrician laments about treating rude children

[Anxious Patient]

For years, I took care of a very rude child. When he was 3, I called him rambunctious-and I talked to his mother about "setting limits." At 4, I called him "demanding." At 5, he was still screaming at his mother if she didn't do what he wanted, he still swatted me whenever I tried to examine him, and his mother asked me worriedly if I thought he was ready for kindergarten.

A rude child's world revolves around: I want that so give it to me; I am angry so I need to hit; I am wounded so I must howl. And of course, one of the long-term consequences of being a rude child is being a rude adult-even a rude doctor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/health/13klas.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all