Why do parents think it is ok to let kids scream......?

Question

when on trains, in waiting rooms, eateries etc. You have to consider other people. I'm sure lots of people will say 'Don't be such a spoilsport, they're only children!' but its just good manners to consider others. I'd never let my kids run riot and scream in public places, my mum never let me and my sister do it either.

Yes, I do mean some parents, I know not all are bad! Sadly a majority it appears though.

Gilly G, are you a chav by any chance. You sound like a terrible person.

Answer 1

Wow, someone else has noticed the some parents just don't care about other peoples feelings. Kids allowed to run riot without a thought for others. Jumping on seats, screaming, throwing things about. I appreciate the kids can get very restless on long journeys, but at other times they should be taught the way to behave. Perhaps the parents don't know any better.

Answer 2

Ugh, it's even worse when they're running under tables, throwing food around, parents talking on their phones. I honestly think they need a section just for people with young children. Kind of like smoking sections. I kind of think it's the society we live in. There are those who believe that the government and everyone else OWES them for having those children. After all, they carried them for nine months and they're 'raising' them. Or maybe it's just parents too busy thinking "kids should be kids" to make their five year old child act like a five year old. I agree about the dog thing too. My dog doesn't run all over the place when food is set before him. He doesn't make a whole lot of noise for no reason, and when he did start having a problem with barking when someone was at the door I was quick to put my foot down.

Answer 3

In trains, eateries, and waiting rooms you hear screaming? Perhaps because all those places involve lots of sitting still, the number one frustrating thing to small kids, and all the great upbringing in the world isn't going to stop an uproar if they've had their limit. All you can do is be prepared with some kind of distractions for them, and try to avoid bringing them out to a setting like this if they're already in a bad mood.

Please don't be too quick to chalk it up to bad parenting, if you are bored in the waiting room or on the train, just imagine what it does to a kid who is 10 times as bored and with 10 times the parent's energy.

Answer 4

Yes, I agree in some respects but as a parent with a toddler, sometimes it is very hard but if he screams in a restaurant, etc...like that, I will take him out. If it's a grocery or clothing store, I try my best to stop him and if it continues too much, I take him out. I try and tell him things like the lady over there will get upset and he stops for a while but as a kid who just turned 2, it's not easy sometimes. He just likes to say things very loudly b/c he thinks it's funny and he's happy doing it. I think you have to consider the age a bit but also parents should at least take the kid away if they start to do that and won't stop.

Answer 5

What AGE are you talking about? The really young ones don't know any better and don't understand manners yet. And trying to tell them isn't going to help because they are too young.

ADDED: I managed to keep my 11 month old quiet when I had to take him to a class with me last night. He miraculously sat there quietly 99% of the time. I kept him busy by showing him a different toy as soon as he was losing interest in the one he had, gave him a few little snacks to keep him busy and gave him a bottle. I was so proud of how good he was. A couple times he would let out a loud "word". Like "Bwah!" Cuz he was happy. And he let out a little scream when he wanted his bottle. But all in all, not bad.

But that doesn't always work. When we take him to church, he realizes that his voice will echo, so he will yell really loud and laugh. We whisper in his ear to keep quiet, but I doubt he understands. We tell him to be a good boy and be quiet so others can hear. But again, I doubt he understands. So we take him out to the hallway until he calms down. Maybe we should skip going to church for a few years. Do you think THAT would show him? Probably not.

He is going to have to act up. Then we have to discipline in a way that is appropriate for his age and level of understanding. THAT is how he will learn how to behave. By making mistakes and learning from them. It takes time and patience.

And at this age, I doubt that taking away his favorite toy, or grounding him is going to make any impact. The only thing that works at this age is distracting him with something else. Lead him away from undesired behaviour to desired behaviour.

If I thought you were talking about my son's age, I'd tell you to go jump off a bridge.

Answer 6

I wish there was a magical mute button on my daughter but there isn't. Sometimes you do all you can to try to quiet them done but there nothing works. In eateries, it is a good idea for a parent to step out with a tantrumming kid, but what are you supposed to do in a waiting room or train? And if you are talking about a doctors waiting room maybe the kid is crying because he's, you know, sick.

Answer 7

Hi, well my little one is 13 months old, and if she's having a rotten day, maybe teething or whatever, and I've not had a good nights sleep because she's kept me awake half the night I kind of become immune to the sound of her crying. It becomes background noise. I try my best to look after her but sometimes I just feel like the whole world is sitting in judgement of me. It's the worst thing about being a mum.

Answer 8

Some parents may think it's ok, but not all! Keep in mind that (unfortunately) children don't come equipped with an 'off' button or mute switch! Sometimes they will just pick their moments to throw a spectacular tantrum, and more often than not that moment will be in a public place somewhere. I agree with you 100% on not letting them keep going, and running riot is definitely out!

Try and keep in mind though, you can deal with a child who is screaming, but you can't always stop it from happening in the first place. Trust me, when you have kids you'll understand!

Answer 9

Mine used to do it occasionally, but far less since i once screamed back in her face!

With her mother, she is allowed to get away with almost everything, when she is with me she is usually very well behaved. I expect her to behave like a small adult, and she does, her mum expects her to play up, and she does that too.

I think that generally, there are 2 types of parents who are to blame, the Chavs who dont care, and the Tarquin and Polly Guardian readers who believe in 'encouraging them to develop their personalities'.

Sorry, but i believe that a child should also have manners as well as a personality.



As for running around, I once provided first aid to a child scalded with soup by a waiter who had just tripped over him. Got the child doused in cold water and partly undressed to prevent burns etc, and then gave the parents absolute hell for neglecting its safety and letting it run riot.

Got a round of applause from the other diners for that one.


And lisa, if you cant control your child, dont take it out and inflict it on others. If its old enough to talk and understand, its old enough to behave.

Answer 10

I am really lucky my children are well behaved when we are out and about (thats how they have been taught) and then when we are at home i let them make as much as noise play about e.t.c some parentsi dont care if their kids make noises!!! some will try their best to kee p their children quiet you cant really tar most parents with the same brush. Some children have illnesses that makes them noisey ahd, behavioural problems, hearing problems, very young children are learning to behave while their parents are teaching!!! If this is the case people should learn to respect the parents teaching skills we really shouldnt criticise or stare as parents with loud noisy children!!!!! (kids will be kids)