Why do parents think this is ok?

Question

I am the manager of a nice women's clothing store in one of the most affluent areas of the country. For some reason mothers here don't do anything when their children go crazy in my store. I have had children running around, throwing things, knocking over displays and having tantrums and their mothers are totally not phased by such beahvior. I have also seen this happen at other places, not in my area. Why do parents let their kids act like this in public? I find it totally inappropriate and I know my mother would never have let me act like that when I was young. What is going on with people?

Answer 1

because those mothers are disrespectful of everyone around them.....us without children or children who act like brats shouldnt have to endure the torture of being around misbehaved brats raised by irresponsible parents

if you cant control your kids you shouldnt take them out in public

Answer 2

Aly-

I understand and "feel your pain." I work in small public library in a working class city. I see the same problem. Parents are over in the DVDs/Video section of our library and their little "angels" are running all over the place. The staff tries to round them and get them back to Mom and Dad.

Some parents are on the computer while their darlings run around the library, slamming bathroom doors and jumping on our tables. We tell the parents to control their children or they will be asked to leave. This usually works. The parents want their Internet time and DVDs.

I have seen signs that say "Children who are not monitored will be given candy" (or something like that)

Since you are the manager, can you ask these women/parents to control their children or they will be asked to leave? I know you may loose a potential customer or two, but the other customers in the store will applaud.

Good Luck. I wish there was a better answer.

Answer 3

I totally understand what u mean. Unfortunately it will not change. The world is full of people who either are afraid to chestize their children or too outragous when they do. Children know when they have a parent or parents that do not want to show some kind of authority when it comes to their behavior. It is just like a child in the middle of two divorcing parents that hate eachother. You have children that just wish that they could get along, AND THEN you have that brat that takes advantage of the friction and just causes more problems not knowing how much pain they are causing and some just don't care. You will always have the parent that had a horrible childhood and vows to never subject their child to that sort of life, then they over compensate and ruin the childs life in the long run because as we all know we all need some sort of guidance, young and old. If we could just remember that there is a purpose for having parents.

Answer 4

People now believe in letting their children "be" who they want to be without restraints-I guess running around and knocking things over is part of "who they are" -Whatever, I would have been left alone- and would have had to walk home - then suffer the wrath of mom and dad's "look" -thats all it took. It put the fear of god into me. I know it happened to me when I was 5-I fell on the floor of the toy store because my mom wouldnt buy me a model horse-and had a complete screaming-temper tantrum-she told me once to stop or she would leave me there-she did!! I had to wait behind the cash register on a stool for my father to pick me up!! It still makes me shutter from pure embarrassment.I NEVER DID IT AGAIN , EMBARRASSMENT IS THE BEST DETERRENT

Answer 5

Parents today are afraid of their own damn kids and don't know how to be in charge. Its disgusting! I had a roommate who gave her child everything she wanted. My roommate grew up poor (and still didn't make much $ to give her child whatever she wanted), but she "never wanted to deny her daughter anything", cuz she hated hearing "no not this time" when she was a kid. And her father used to yell and spank her, she never wanted to do either to her child. That part is fine. But kids need boundaries! She didn't give her child boundaries between birth and age 5. It was too late by then. I'd watch her try and rush out of the house to go to work, hands full of things, with her daughter screaming at her to be picked up! She would call her by her first name (I had been called "Mommy" since the girl was 3). Tell her "No" and argue with her mom. I love that child, and she always listened to me, without me yelling, or spanking. I just never gave in!

Answer 6

A lot of parents don't have a backbone...they are very passive and let their kids get away with everything. If you cannot put the effort in keeping your kids in line then you shouldn't have kids at all. Don't give me the crap and say " Kids should be kids" because I agree kids should be kids and have lots of creative fun but I also think that kids need boundaries, rules and parents that have a backbone.

Answer 7

You obviously haven't got children! Yes I agree it is very annoying, but as a parent myself on the rare occasion I have had to ignore my offsprings attention seeking bad behaviour in pulblic in order to teach them right from wrong. Good behaviour gets rewarded bad behaviour gets them no where. Luckily my children are now teenagers with a whole host of new problems. Try telling the tantrum kids to "SOD OFF!". You'll feel much better but unfortunately won't get many customers, and will probably get the sack. Incidently I bet you threw at least one tantrum in public when you were a child. Have a cup of tea and a big dose of toleration , and when you eventually become a mum, don't be suprised when your children start screaming in public for no apparent reason - they're not bad just normal - apparently.....

Answer 8

I agree with you! My mother wouldn't have kicked my butt and I never allowed my daughter to behave that way at home let alone in public. For some reason people who consider themselves "well educated" seem to think their kids behavior is amusing and precocious instead of rude and ridiculous!

Answer 9

Parents today spoil their children. They let the children do whatever they please. Parents like to become friends with their children other than be an authoritive towards them. Children can walk all over them and some parents wont do anything about because I dont know maybe they are afraid of this child abuse issue in todays society.

Answer 10

Some of the problem is also on society's shoulders. The same people that say "I would beat my kids @ss if my kid acted like that" are the same people that report you for abuse if you smack you kids butt for acting badly. You are damned if you do and damned if you don't.
I try to correct my children in public, but I have received many nasty looks for reprimanding them. I'm not hitting them, only telling them to listen or else, and people will look at me like I just beat the tar out of them.

Answer 11

You can't discipline a child, without getting a chance to get thrown in jail.

One man re-worded it and called spanking your children--being called "Training"--then you could NIP THAT CRAP in the BUD,
(or butt)