Why do some parents just let their children scream and scream in Wal-Mart?

Answer 1

probably because the kid wants something and the parents don't want to get for them. they are just trying to get there shopping done as quick as possible and get out of that place because I am sure they don't want to be looked at like they are that mean parent. Lots of parents think in todays society that yelling at your kid looks bad. It also draws a lot of attention. See me I wouldn't care, i would ask someone to watch my stuff and take my kid outside until they were done. I think that place like wal mart need to have somewhere a parent can go to calm there kid down.

Answer 2

Probably because they're used to it. The children probably scream and scream no matter where they are. What you do about it depends on the age of the child. Sometimes little ones didn't get a good nap today and so they're cranky and that can cause them to scream. Other times, the child is simply overwhelmed with everything they see and they can't handle it so they scream. Too much input. When they get older, this one will go away. The parent is probably overwhelmed too and just doing the best they can. So what you should do is relax and give the parent a sympathetic smile and fuhgettaboutit.

Answer 3

Any parent of a strong-willed little kid knows that it isn't just a matter of "just not letting their child scream and scream." You can try your best, but you can't physically stop the screaming. Believe me, a parent in that situation is NOT sitting there egging the kid on to keep screaming, and they aren't just complacently grocery shopping while their kid is screaming like that, oblivious to the evil stares being thrown their way. But there's not just a whole lot you can do but tell them to stop, and for a lot of kids, that just doesn't do anything. Add to that the fact that shopping needs to be done, and if you don't have an option to go out grocery shopping without your child, you have no choice but to take the child with you and get everything you need to get done as quickly as possible. You can't physically stop the screaming by using the older forms of punishment because there is always the threat of having authorities called on you because some creep felt like you abused your child.

I will say this, though. I do believe there are ways to handle it most of the time. We have "the portable corner", which is basically that my kids know I have no problem in putting them in the corner regardless of where we are and what we're doing, if they are misbehaving. So I have been the woman standing paused and watching a three-year-old have a time out in the shoe department, or in the corner in customer service. I haven't had to do that very often before he got the picture that he would get in trouble in public as well as home. Also, I've known moms to just walk away from the basket without paying at that time and taking the child home, and the kid's in trouble. After one or two times, most of the kids I know who have been through this know that Momma's serious when she says "Stop it or we will leave and you WILL be in trouble", and they behave better once that threat is followed through.

It sucks. I have been the person wishing a parent would just take their child and go because the kid is screaming louder than any kid I've ever known. I've also been the person feeling the hateful stares as I'm grocery shopping marathon-style, to try to get done, paid for, and get home. It's a hard situation either way, but if you don't have a choice but to bring your child to the grocery store or Walmart or wherever, sometimes you just have to deal with it.

Answer 4

I have 7 children and sometimes you do what you gotta do. I think that a lot of parents today are afraid to discipline their children in public for fear of how others will look at them... i let mine know before we even go in what is expected from them and plan my trip around their schedule ( or threaten to leave them at home) But depending on the age of the child sometimes you have no choice. Your family has needs and you have to get those necessities at least then get out as fast as you can.

Answer 5

I used to really hate these screaming kids and thought they were out of control. I am a teacher so I really could not understand why some parents simply ignore their children (when a good smacking was in order).

I am a now foster (single) parent to a boy with ADHD who is now 7 years old. I took care of him since he was 2 weeks old and I love him like crazy. His development has been a real learning lesson to me because it took us all a while to realise he had ADHD in the first place.

In the beginning, I found myself constantly having to pull my son aside to try and get him to 'behave' because I was the one now getting looks from other people. I never understood why he was so 'ill-disciplined'.Then I realised there were some things about my son I will never be able to change.

I accept him for who he is and decided to work on socialising him so that he will learn how to fit in at school etc.
My son will never behave like the other kids but I still love him nonetheless.

I am fortunate enough to live in Singapore where there is a really good public medical system. My son was diagnosed early and we began work on how to teach him (and myself) to adapt to his problem.

This has helped me a lot in my career as well. From my own reading, I'm beginning to see that a lot of the so-called naughty students are acting up in class because of learning and emotional difficulties.

I honestly think, in many instances, parents just have no clue what is going on with their children. The punishment and threats (of course) do not work anymore so they have been reduced to simply shutting their kids out, even in public. It's really not easy.

My apologies for this lengthy answer. Just wanted everyone to see it from the other side of the story because I'm living it now.

Answer 6

There's not that much of a choice sometimes. The other options are:
a. Leave your cart full of crap somewhere and just leave.
b. Give the child what he's screaming for, thereby spoiling him and letting him know that his tantrums will get him everything he wants. That's bad parenting.

Most times, when my son starts getting crabby, I will hurry out as fast as I can, but it does take time to get through the checkouts and out the store. Other times, I absolutely must finish my shopping. Maybe there are things I have to have right now. So I get them anyway. Kids will scream. It's unfortunate, but it's life.

Answer 7

Because they have absolutely no control over the child and the child knows if they scream long enough the parent will get them whatever they want. The children figure this out early on and the poor parents never seem to understand that they are being manipulated.

Answer 8

because they are children and ALL children have tantrums sometimes. when this happens to me in public i leave the store as do most parents but hey, your child is still going to screan on the way out to the car, Its just what most todlers do.

Ild also like to add that some people just love to have a reason to look down on someone else. It makes them somehow feel superior. If your on your way out of a store with your toddler who is having a tantrum, people still give you funny looks. I know ive been there. what do these people want you to do, tie your kids up and put duct tape over their mouths, wow that would make them feel even better, then they could call the athorities. no no no... I just think people love to talk and make themselves feel better.

Answer 9

because sometimes you cant give into your children and give them whatever they want just for the convenience of other people. you're going to say raise them better from the start but most if not all children will go through a phase where they test your limits just to see what they get away with, my child has never done but the day may come sooner than i think, don't judge so quickly.

Answer 10

I know where you're coming from!! Just went there to pick up a few things today. People seem to let their kids run, scream and carry on like heathens. Why, you ask? Because they are too irresponsible to be parents. Most of the time they never make them behave. They are too busy looking around to pay attention to their kids. This is not safe for the kids. It's also rude to other shoppers. I wish each store had the right and the time to keep these types out of public places.