Where's the boundry?

The other day as I was checking out at Target, a couple with a little girl, maybe 5 years old, were checking out in front of me. The girl grabbed a Ring Pop off the candy rack and turned to her mom. "Mommy, can we get this please?"

Without hesitation, she ripped it out of her hand and put it back exclaiming, "Get a job!"

The little girl turned to her dad and said, "Daddy please, can we get it? It's my favorite!!"

Her dad didn't say anything. The look on the girl's face just about killed me. She put her hands together and pleaded to her dad, "Please daddy, it's my favorite!! Can we get it? I'm talking to you!" She pleaded all the way out.

So where is the boundry here? All I wanted to do was buy that girl a Ring Pop. The look on her face broke my heart. Her pleadings for a simple $1 candy were so innocent and sincere. All she wanted was that small piece of candy. I understand if a family really can't afford to spare $1...we've been there. A loving and honest explanation would then be given to the child. But to completely ignor and disrespect the simple wish of a child exclaiming that she get a job (at 5 years old?) is unsettling. However, they are her parents and I couldn't impose on how they chose to discipline their daughter. But to me, where's the harm? Teach her that she can't always get her way with a more unrealistic request.

When I became an aunt and fell in love with these amazing little people that belong to my brother and sister, I learned that the smallest things can mean so much to a child. If waiting an extra minute to leave or spending an extra dollar would give a child what they want the most at that moment, then they deserve it.

I guess I will just need to remember that girl's face when my future children ask for something that wouldn't be that big of a deal to fulfill.