How many times has the following played out: a parent, tired, at the end of their tether, screams, hollers, shakes or outright hits the hapless wailing youngster who needs usually to be quiet, rested and fed? This scenario is more often than not the result of a serious breakdown in parent-child communication or the ignorance of such an item.

From birth, the purpose of the parent-child bond is to enhance communication between the two. A parent learns to read and react accurately to the child's signals, and to establish a routine designed to provide enough time for rest, nourishment, activity and emotional stability for the child to flourish. When a parent is too overwhelmed, or too busy to keep up with this system, serious disconnection results, which throws the parent and child into a state of antagonism instead of partnership.

Many times, a more experienced parent, doula, nurse, or midwife could spot such a critical lacuna and take steps to correct the parents' handling of the situation. Without such intervention, abuse, indifference and neglect become part of the "normal" parent-child interaction. Some parents do not understand that this bond is something that changes and grows over time, and that the parent must grow with it.

Patience, and respect is something that needs to be built into the parenting style in order to interpret a child's needs and even anticipate in most cases what is going on. Patience. This virtue is one that ought to be practiced, since, especially when coupled with restraint, will serve a parent in good stead through all stages of childhood development.

What then of the hapless parent and the wailing child on public transportation, in the store, at the doctor's office?

To adapt an old adage to modern usage: bite your tongue.

In other words, close your eyes, remove yourself from the  situation, breathe.

Have a plan when your eyes are closed. "I will try to see what is going on with my child. I am calm. I am cool. I am in control."

Repeat as many times as it takes to bring on a state of even-mindedness.

All parents need this technique, especially in the face of the rise of screaming at children, which by the way, is just as detrimental as striking your child.

If there is a parent in need near you, please, do intervene. It is your business. A kind word to the parent "I know it is tough" is often enough to turn away wrath. Also, please do not stare disapprovingly at the parent. This does not help and often adds to the parent's discomfort and rage.

With children out of school for the Thanksgiving holidays, practicing patience is an exercise in family harmony. Try it, for your sake, and your family's sake.