If someone fails to take responsibility for their child in public?

Question

- should I maintain a cavalier attitude about accidently injuring the brat?

I'm talking specifically about the idiots who let their children run wild in supermarkets (nearly smoked one with a shoping car the other day) or in restaurants (where some screaming ill-bred runt nearly upset a waiter carrying a ray of hot food).

If these people don't care enough about others let alone their own children - why should we?

- uhhh just to clarify - I would never actually intentionally harm a child - but I'm trying to make a point by example..

I have noticed a truly disgusting trend in parenting that exemplifies a 'cavalier attitude' whereby parents either haven't got a clue or really don't care about public decorum.

In the restaurant incident the other day - the mother actually shot the exasperated waiter a dirty look - as if to say " how dare you its only a child !" where in fact said child and a lack of basic parenting decency very nearly resulted in a serious accident that could have harmed child, waiter and even nearby patrons.

ps.

I don't live in a 'ghetto' - these are well to do families.. and these are not just kids havin a bad day or a tantrum - these are parents that are too lazy to show responsibility.

I must say. The nature of some of these responses here reinforces my preception that many of today's parents are completely incompetent and self centred.

Answer 1

Dude, have a heart. These kids act this way because their parents ALLOW them to. Kids can't raise themselves. I think we should all care about them because if there parents won't, who will?

Answer 2

Oh My Gosh!!!! I am in total agreement with you on this one Mr. Rabbit! When I was growing up, I never acted that way. Why? Because I knew I would get my *** beat! Just one look from my parents and I knew that whatever I was doing was wrong and I had better stop it - QUICK. My brother and I were at a nice sit-down restaurant and there was one of those ill-bred children screaming at the top of his lungs and the parents did nothing at all for a long time. My brother shot the father a look and can you believe that the father had the nerve to say, "What! Mind your own business." He should not have done that. Not to my brother. He picked up his chair, took it over to thier table, sat down next to the guy and began to scream like his child was screaming-only louder. They left the restaurant and people started clapping! This social experiment was the topic of my brother's next English paper. He got an A. I am happy to report that we are not alone. People don't like children behaving badly, they are just affraid to do anything about it. It's so sad.

Answer 3

I have a real problem with the kind of parents you're talking about. I wouldn't injure anyone's kid, but you better believe the parents are going to hear from me. So many parents are completely oblivious to their children and think their little angels can do no wrong. I was in a restaurant with my husband the other day and tripped over a stroller being run all over the place by a little kid. I kicked it away (out of reflex... not my finest moment but hey it happened) and said something snide to the paretns, who were shocked. Then I complained to the manager. And simply standing by has nothing to do with being "patient" or "tolerant." I'm a very patient person in most cases, but have very little tolerance when people think it's acceptable to let their children run wild with no regard for anyone else's safety. I live in a nicer area as well and the parents around here are the worst! They feel like their children are entitled to whatever they want and should be allowed to run around wherever they want!

Answer 4

i don't understand it either. some people are so sensitive when you bring it up! even when you calmly and nicely tell them that a child was misbehaving in public, or that negligent parents (not them) are annoying. They get so offended, like people have no right to talk about it, despite the fact that it affects everyone who's forced to tolerate the uncomfortable situation. Some people even come back with a lame line like, "well when you have kids, I want to see how you'll handle it." I'm always tempted to reply with, "Aw yes, well you see it's no coincidence that I don't have children at the moment. Fortunately modern medicine offers women, within a certain age range, the ability to control that aspect of their reproductive systems. And given the fact that I lack patience at this time, I go to the pharmacy and pay for these pills every month so that I don't have to make strangers deal with my bratty kids."

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those people that dislikes all children and parents, in fact I think the majority are great and it's understandable that people have their days. But unfortunately, parenting is a 24 hour job and ignoring the problem in public is not a responsible way to deal with it. So I think that I should have every right to be frustrated when your child breaks a bottle of hot sauce at the checkout line, and begins throwing a hissy fit at that spot, preventing store employees from getting in there to clean it. All the while 5 different customers in line must pray that their frozen goods don't melt or go bad while they wait, because the store is crowded and packed and it's a hot day already.

I posted a question about this same topic here once, someone proposed that I shouldn't be annoyed with it, because there are bigger problems in the world....

Well that's logical! There's clearly no visible fallacy in that argument. I guess I should shut my mouth, and spend my time worrying about the stuff that 'matters'. Maybe I'll start right now.

Answer 5

I am with you on this one, I am a parent, and I was a server for years. I want to run over the brats myself. Sometimes my child tries to act out like that, running in the supermarket, so please if you can mow him down without serious injury, please do it would prove my point to him. He sometimes lacks the judgment to pay attention... I try to get him to grasp what can happen, but when I hit him with the shopping cart he thinks I am playing, he is too big to put in the cart. I would love it if someone said something to him, even hurt his feelings, maybe it would get his attention, and he would not think it is just mommy being mean. So I agree with you. While I do my best to control, mine, and for the most part he is good, but as every kid has a moment, I would not feel bad, or get mad if someone said something to me or my child, prefer him, so he would get the point. Too many people do not say anything. We as the public should start to speak up, and maybe the point will get across.

Answer 6

It is true that "some" parents in this day and age just don't give a flying hoot about what happens to their children, that is why "we" should. Don't punish the child for what the parent does or does not do, the responsibility is with the adult and if you are an adult and cause a child to be injured, then, why should you not be responsible. You sound like a responsible adult as well as one who cares about children, if this is venting, then please do it here and don't take it out on some poor, innocent child.

Answer 7

If those people don't care about their kids, then yes all the more reason we should, actually. It a bad situation. Because no matter how badly a kid acts, it is their parents who raise them, so it's not their fault. They are just children and most dont know any better or aren't taught what is better. Take it in stride, children are part of our society as are the diabled and rude people. Our society isnt perfect and we have to accept everyone. If an elderly lady tells to you to "move it, she was in line first" most would give a kind smile, not fight back, and step aside and the rest of the line will just give a knowing smile back. Same with kids. You say nicely "watch out, we don't want you to get hurt" and move along.

Answer 8

You may not agree w/ the parents letting their kids run wild but it's not ur place 2 worry about it. If an accident occurs 2 someone's child b/c they "run out in front of u" then thats when u let the parents know that maybe they shoulda been watchin their kid. some parents dont care what their kids do b/c they have other things 2 be concerned w/ that seem 2 be more important than their kids. they just dont wanna worry w/ them.. i know that means that they dont deserve kids but hey they are in this world n its not the kids fault.

Answer 9

It's really annoying to see kids running around wild while parents dont do anything about it.Yes, they may be kids but its no excuse for parents to let their children behave unruly in public .Your best bet is to just report to the manager since such kids behavior could endanger not only the store nor the people around them but also the kid himself.The manager can take that responsiblity and perhaps even talk to the parents to control their kids.

I understand how you feel.We shouldn't tolerate this kind of behavior but please dont harm the kids in anyway otherwise it would look like you're the one that needs disciplining.

Answer 10

As a mother of a daughter who is Autistic I feel you are quite arrogant and ignorant!
Once in awhile it would be nice if people took a step outside of themselves to look at a situation a little differently.
You have NO IDEA why a child may be screaming, running amock or just having an all around bad day.
Maybe the child has a disorder, maybe the child has recently lost a parent, maybe the child is just having a bad day!
As adults we all have our moments when we act out, act innapropriately and sometimes act like complete jerks.
Would you also blame that on parents?
Look, I understand that it is my responsibility to keep my children in line and I try very hard to respect those around me, but to be honest, it's IMPOSSIBLE to keep all of my children polite and happy go lucky all of the time.
My suggestion to you is if you cannot tolerate the wild, rambuncious child perhaps you should STAY HOME- and don't procreate.

BTW, April is Austim Awareness month..educate yourself.

Answer 11

I do think we have an obligation as parents to teach our children to be respectful and polite in public places ~ however the parents (not the children) are at fault
I say the next time say something to the parent and if they can't get a handle on the little ones then politely ask the manager of the place to handle it