What do you do when a child is invading your personal space, ie kicking you, pulling your hair, and the parents either do nothing or comment on how cute it is? Please, share your stories and tell me how you delt with the situation so that I may do the same.
Thank you.
2006-11-25 10:48:00 · 23 answers · asked by pinacoladasundae 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Youthful
Now imagine that you are on a plane, or a bus, or restuarant.
2006-11-25 10:52:59 · update #1
Why do people think it's OK to subject others to their children's horrible behavior?
2006-11-25 10:54:26 · update #2
If the parent is aware of what they are doing but is doing nothing to stop them, then its up to you to address the child yourself. Speak nicely, but firmly that thier behavior is unacceptable. If it continues, then you can complain to whoever is managing or in charge.
I work in the meat dept of a grocery store and kids always wanna poke the packages. Some parents stop them but if they are not paying attention, then I do tell the child myself to stop.
2006-11-25 11:18:09 · answer #1 · answered by JC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First offer the parents a chance to reel in the little as shole.
If the child continues to attack you, 'accidently' elbow it in the head, or help it to stumble as it runs by. The really obnoxious child may believe that the first time was an accident, but will figure it out pretty quickly after the second.
Obviously, you don't do this to a 2,3, or 4 year old. However they should know the difference between good and bad behaviour by the time they're 6 or 7.
2006-11-25 19:49:08 · answer #2 · answered by michaelsmaniacal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the situation and your relationship with the parents. If the parents are co-workers or your boss, then just grit your teeth and try to find an excuse to get out of the situation.
However, if the parents are people that you wouldn't fear a confrontation with, then if they are not handling their rude children properly, then I think it is not unreasonable for you to scold the child, gently at first. If that doesn't work, then my approach is to say something more direct such as "Did you know that children who kick people get lumps of coal in for Christmas?" If this doesn't work because the kid is too old to believe in Santa, then I would physically grab the child's arm or leg then next time they tried to pull my hair or kick me.
Being a parent of a 6 year old makes me extremely aware of bratty behavior as I know that all kids are capable of it if left unsupervised and unchecked.
2006-11-25 19:21:04 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I remember once when I was 10 years old I was putting some money into a jukebox when all off a sudden, some little kid (4 years old maybe?) appeared out of nowhere and began hitting the buttons, selecting a song and thereby causing me to lose my money I'd just put in. So I slapped him. THEN and only then did his mom appear and guess what? I was the one she got mad at!
The point is there's not much you can do. The parents of rotten kids can't be stopped; if you're polite, then you just have to tolerate it, and if you speak up for yorself then they just bare their claws and send you away in a fury.
2006-11-25 19:23:19 · answer #4 · answered by KdS 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's no good talking to the parents; they think their brat is a Baby Genius, whose every move should be tolerated for the good of the species.
You have two alternatives: complain to the manager or flight attendant, or whoever is in control of the space, or (even better!) address the child himself: "Don't kick (spit, shriek, defecate in public), child, it's not acceptable." Say it sweetly, but make sure the kid knows you mean it.
2006-11-25 19:08:10 · answer #5 · answered by silvercomet 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Kids like that are really going to have a rough time in life. I feel sorry for them. If they are kicking me and pulling my hair and they arent related to me and the parents are actually condoning this crap I would try my hardest to tell the little brat no and hold his/her arms to his/her sides and say "we will not play like that, you do not act that way" and if he keeps it up I would snap at his retarted parents and tell them to get their kid off of me. If it were my own kid acting like that to strangers id probably give them some dicispline and put them in their room, but I cant imagine raising a brat like that. If I were babysitting a brat like that I would seriously lock them in their room if they couldnt behave, ive done it before and the little girl called me a B(*&(. But I think children should learn from someone that its not okay to treat people like that.
2006-11-25 22:09:38 · answer #6 · answered by jennyve25 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have found that the main recourse, in this situation, is to tell the child point blank to stop. Be gentle yet firm. True, I have gotten some nasty feedback from parents, who all too frequently leave the area(and continue to spoil and defend their kids). But at least if they and their kids are gone, they won't be bugging you anymore.
2006-11-25 20:40:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
ive never had that problem. children are usually very well behaved when im around. what i would do about a badly behaved urchin depends on whether its a family situation or just out in public. if in public and im not related to the parents or offspring i would talk to the parents about culling their defective offspring. if you have a faux official form (DD form 25-667, application/approval for culling defective offsping) it encourages them to keep their monkey on a leash. however, if something like that happens in a family get together i would deliver a lecture on child training using verses from proverbs and sirach(that one is included with the catholic Bible) to everone in the area. i would include examples of other family member's successful or failed offsping and the kind of upbringing they had.
2006-11-25 19:09:31 · answer #8 · answered by Stand-up Philosopher 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I told someone once that if I wanted to be around obnoxious, misbehaving children I'd have had my own.
I usually tell the parents to discipline their children or take them out of public. If they don't, I complain to management.
Had to laugh at the one who said to move your personal space. why should you, you have the right to your space and their kids are invading it. Besides, if you move, dollars to donuts, the kids will keep invading. Give them and inch and they'll take a mile. Kids should stay at home until they can behave in public.
2006-11-25 18:57:51 · answer #9 · answered by parsonsel 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Ok heres it is I dated thid guy and his kid ran wild yelled cursed ran all over showed no respect. If some kid was pulling my hair and the parents just sat there i would say to the kid firmly hey knock it off. I would look straight at the child when I said it . Kids need rules to feel secure maybe some one should explain that to these parents. They also need to know what a boundry is. I ened up telling this guy his kid needed rules and boundries .........he didnt get it so I dumped him
2006-11-25 18:56:53 · answer #10 · answered by lilme 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋