Psycho Moms!! This is getting ridiculous!?

Question

I work under a pediatritian's office. Once already this week I was torn to shreds by a Mom (see the question on my profile)

Right now, there is a large executive meeting going on in my office. At the same time, there are four kids in the hall sliding up and down the staircase causing a dreadful racket. I could tell the meeting was being disturbed by the noise, so I went out into the hallway and approached the kids kindly saying "Hey guys, can you try to keep it down a little out here? We have some very importnt work going on." I was very kind and when speaking to them, and they all nodded politely, and the noise stopped...for a second. Then, Mom came out from around the corner, abruptly hung up her cell phone, and tore into me. She was yelling " What gives you the right to reprimand my kids? You know, you should just talk to the parents. You have no right to reprimand MY children!!"

Was I wrong here? Or are these moms just nuts?

Really!!!!! This is the second time this week!! What rock did these women crawl out from under???

Verol,

Wow...that's awful I would much rather the mother scream at me than take her frustrations out on her child. I would have had a few choice words for that woman.

Answer 1

That woman is nuts. You didn't reprimand anyone. You asked them to keep it down. My initial thought would have been "The moment you stopped paying attention to YOUR children was the moment I was pretty much FORCED to take care of them for you." Of course, I would have just smiled and said, "Ma'am, your kids are being kinda loud. Let's try to keep it down, okay? Thanks, so much." and gone back to work.

I just treat people like that like children. Sickly sweet, though. Kill them with kindness.

Answer 2

Jane, your sweeping generalizations about stay at home moms is offensive. Being one, I see a lot of this kind of Momzilla behavior. There was a time when any adult who saw a kid acting out of turn was encouraged, even expected to correct that child. Sadly, that is no longer the case. In the future, just to save your self from insane women yelling at you I would just politely say to the mother, "Ma'am, there is a really important meeting going on upstairs, and my boss is going to have my hide if we can't keep the noise down out here. Could you please give me a hand with that?" With this sort of phrasing, you'll be able to assure her that you aren't saying anything nasty about her kids, and get her on your side. I'd also suggest if you have kids around your office on a regular basis you get some crayons or something so you have a way of quieting them without putting their parents on the defense.

Answer 3

Sounds like my mother, but I'm a lot older now. I wanted to kill myself, run away, anything to get away from her. I ended up getting married right out of high school to get out of the house. DON'T DO THAT! Try to get counseling if you can and the counselor WILL want to talk to your mom because she desperately needs it. I believe in raising kids in a somewhat strict household without being crazy and overly controlling and protective. Whether she realizes it or not, she's verbally abusing you and that abuse will affect your confidence and affect the rest of your life without you getting help, especially if she's been like this through your whole childhood. Stick it out and mind her as best you can because you can't win with her. Start talking to school counselors about college and see if you can get some kind of grant or financial aid. Look at it as a goal you want to achieve to be a successful adult when you get out of school. I didn't do that and still don't have a college degree. If I could do it all over again, I'd take my advice I'm giving you because I really regret taking the road I did. I'm old enough to be your mom and want you to succeed. Keep making good grades and remember to talk to a counselor about your future.

Answer 4

Ugg I hate some mothers.

I work at a convenient store at nights, and my partner already closed his register. And of course there is a large rush shortly after. Doesn't god have a lovely sense of humor?

This woman sent her son (age of seven or eight) to bring the money up to the register (we have a pay before you pump policy) So he gets at the back of the line of six or so politely waiting. Around one person before him his mother comes storming in she starts yelling at him and she slams the money on the counter "15 on (pump) 5!" and she drags him off scolding him. Me and everyone in the store were too shocked to defend the poor kid...

I should give him some candy or something if I ever see him again.

Answer 5

It is the same here in UK. Things are saner in Jamaica (at least in Trench Town/Jones Town area) where misbehaving children must expect to be reprimanded by any passing adult

Answer 6

Oh my gosh, you are not having good luck this week, are you? You weren't wrong, you kindly asked the little imps to keep it down in an adult workplace, you didn't run after them calling them names and yelling. Perhaps the mother was angry and embarrassed because she couldn't find the time to watch her own child/children to make sure they weren't getting into any trouble?

Answer 7

i wouldve said i was not reprimanding them i was merely doing my duty as an office worker maybe you should do your as a parent and get off ur cell and stop having ur kids disrupt everyone in this office. lazy parenting and self righteousness, god forbid someone remind them to tend to their littler rug rats.

Answer 8

Some moms are just over protected and maybe she was really stressed.You did the right thing.The lady was probably having a bad day...

Answer 9

you're right...those moms ARE nuts! my sister has to deal with that all the time - she's a school teacher. and NO one better deal with their precious little babies that do no wrong!! except they'll end up in jail cuz they robbed the liquor store, stole a car, etc, and worse!!

ok i'm done sounding off :-)

Answer 10

No you weren't wrong. I might also add that I would have told her "If YOU were doing your job the kids wouldn't be running around out of control. I also might add that your behavior is much like your children's!"