under breath saying of kids?

Question

O.k. I have two girls 4 and 2 going 3. They are well behave and well mannered. I was at a boat show recently and kids were all over the place looking and examining around. You can go on the boat and sitting in the cockpit and examining it unless the sign says not to. My husband, kids and I went into this one boat and we did not see any signs that says you can't examine or touch. My girls climbed on the bed of the boat and the lady there said for them not to jump on the bed and mumbled under her breath saying that I'm not controlling my kids. Mind you, they weren't jumping they simply climbed on the bed and excited about seeing it. I was furiously when I heard her mumbled that and I asked my girls to climb down and we left the boat. While I walked out, I caught a glance of the lady and gave her a look. Was I over reacting? My husband said I was a fool to let her get to me, but I couldn't shake off her mumbled that wasn't even true.

this event is for kids and adults alike testing the boats.

Answer 1

If you were sure they did not jump on the bed you should have said so and then left the boat. Throughout their childhood people will do or say things to them that will need your attention and it is good for them to know that their parents will always protect and stick up for them when they are in the right. Don’t let her get to you; you don’t know what kind of day she had.♪

Answer 2

Sounds like your "problem student" may have a condition like autism. (no, I am not diagnosing ... only a doctor can diagnose autism) Many autistic behaviors can be attributed to an unruly child. Repetition, stemming, OCD-like behaviors, issues with touching or being touched, inappropriate touching, classroom disruptions, outbursts, "staring out into space" .... all these are autistic behaviors. An autistic child could have some or all of these and many more. No. Not all autistic children resemble Rain Man. Many autistic children "blend" in with the other children and are not diagnosed because their behaviors are not severe enough to attract the attention of adults. See Autism and Asperger Syndrome at the bottom of the link below. I don't know the processes that go on in your district, but in mine we have a process called "Child Study" to help teachers work with low-performing, difficult, or "problem" students. We also use these Child Studies to help identify Gifted Children, children with speech problems, etc. ... so it's not specific to problem behaviors. Perhaps your school has something in place and you can bring up your student to your version of Child Study. Then again .... it might just be that your student has this strange quirk about her.... I know an adult, who is not autistic .... who mouths under her breath what you are saying to her.... its disconcerting ... but she's been doing so for 60 years now .... so I don't see it stopping.

Answer 3

Well my grandkids are 2 and 3 and their jump doesn't really look like a jump...but it was a boat and I am sure it wasn't the safest place to be running aruound in all excited.
Do not let it get to you...people always mumble under their breath. Next time if you just have to...ask them what they said...it sounded like you said ...and repeat what you think they said.

Answer 4

I don't think you were overacting, and bold as I am, I likely would have given her more than a look, meaning, I would have verbally defended my parenting skills. Too many people expect kids to act like mini adults, when that's not how they're wired, which you obviously realize. You were standing right there, obviously in full watch of your children, and they weren't hurting anything just exercising their healthy curiousity. I probably would have tried to keep it light hearted, like, she says "sheesh, why don't you control your kids" under her breath, I would've looked right at her and said, "Gee, I guess I could tie them up , couldn't I?" and smile. This puts her in her place, rather than in your business. Your kids weren't bothering her, but she was bothering you! And then, I'd let it go. You and your kids are going to encounter those people every day. I hate it, too. I don't just love my kids, they're my world, and while I don't expect everyone to feel that way, I will not tolerate any mistreatment or insults on them. Kids deserve the same respect as adults do.

Answer 5

she sound like a real grumpy c*w. you are the mum and if you don't have a problem with how your toddlers act - don't let anyone elses opinion get in the way. personally i'd have jumped on the bed just to spite her - if she wasn't the owner, what's it to her anyway, and she was, i'd reconsider taking the boat next time. just remember your kids are only small once - and jumping on beds is parts of that... take them back next year, hope she is the and let them jump on every bit of furniture you can find....

Answer 6

I also have the mother bear instinct. I would have been totally ticked off. Your little angels did nothing wrong. that lady merely thinks that kids in this day and age are out of control and obviously looks for signs to validate her theroy. Just the same, i would have FELT like tripping and spilling a drink all over her and say 'that she should control her balance, bumping into you like that!'...

Answer 7

As moms, anytime anyone attacks our children, even verbally, we get defensive. I know I do. I am guessing she probably didn't have children or had them so long ago she forgot what children are like. It's sounds like your children are well behaved. I wouldn't worry about. My son is a disciplined little boy, but he's a boy and he still acts up, much to my embarrassment sometimes. Oh well, that is life. I know that I correct his behavior when needed and I really don't need or expect any one else's approval. At least that's what I tell myself when I get uptight because of what some nosy person has to say.

Answer 8

She most likely doesn't have kids. I myself would go back and let the kids run amok. She should learn to keep her mouth shut. If she doesn't want kids near the boat then there should be a bloody sign. Don't let it get to you. Unfortunately there are people like this in the world.

Answer 9

people need to be put back in their place sometimes. i had a little girl run up to me once when i was smoking and she said "smoking stinks" which was obviously learned from a parent so i said "little girls stink" and she looked at me like i was satan and ran as fast as she could.

you could have very easily called the old woman a drama laden cow or something for overblowing the situation. she could have been nice and said please don't let your children up on the beds -- instead she was mean and negative and a dirty lying old cow. so why be polite. i learned a long time ago to never tolerate the intolerant.

Answer 10

Man, I hate those people. I encounter those folks all the time. They like to pass judgement on everyone. They all tend to be older women, who I'd like to think really aren't bad people, but just miss having kids of their own and never see their grandchildren, so they have to act vindictive toward other people who have children out of jealousy.

They say things like:

"I can't believe you just pick that baby up when he cries. You're going to SPOIL him, you know."

"Why doesn't your baby have a hat on? It doesn't matter if it's the middle of summer - babies aren't like everyone else. They'll freeze to death if you don't put a HAT on 'em."

"So you let your daughter dress herself, eh? I can tell. How embarrassing for you. I NEVER would have let my children do that. I always sent them to school neatly groomed and in matching outfits."

"You look way too young to be a mother. You're practically a baby yourself! Where is your mother? Shame on her for not taking better care of you and letting this happen to you."

"You don't have a wedding ring and you have children? You two must be living in sin. Shame on you. What a horrible example you set for your children."

And it's weird, because even though you know Miss. Judgemental is totally full of crap and you her opinion doesn't matter at all, you still get that icky feeling inside, like when someone creepy is staring at the back of your head. You just can't shake it. It's not even a self esteem thing so much as you overall feel the world is a worse place for having her in it and kind of feel sorry for yourself for having had to encounter her. Nuts to her, eh.