Toddlers in restaurant

[Anonymous]

Chiming in on a message board is hardly calling for the firing squad. Yes, I think it's bad parenting and just plain being inconsiderate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what's worse - parents (because please, let's not act like it's only mothers who do this) who allow their children to run wild, or posters who work themselves into a tizzy over. "That mother was terrible! Sad! Pathetic! She should be in jail! She should be SHOT!"

You play the martyr with the ease of a future MIL. But the point is still valid.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am 1000% with you. Lazy parenting drives me crazy. I was at a children's theater performance today and some dumbass woman insisted on staying through the entire performance despite the fact that her kid was too young for the show, was at first shrieking every 30 seconds, and then quickly moved on to a full on howling, thrashing tantrum. At first she stayed in her seat with him thrashing back and forth, arching his back, full on screaming. She FINALLY got up and took him out, but kept going back and forth to her seat and would sit there in her seat for several minutes at a time trying to shush the kid while he started up his tantrum again. I am so with you.

[Anonymous]

"Thank you! It was clear to the moms that their kids were in the floor and blocking others. They just didn't care. I would have nudged them aside with my foot."

You should have! Step on the kid just enough - then watch the parent "feign ignorance". Parenting is a full time job people. Not just between sips of expresso or at your convenience. Teaching your kid HOW to behave in public (hint: NOt like you) is one of your jobs.

I can't stand the number of people who I see who fail to parent and pretend it is somehow okay. Your excuses do not buy you anything. If someone fails to parent at my house, they don't get invited back. And they ask over and over again. Too bad for them, I say.

To the teacher, this will be the whiner parent about grades or whatever they can whine about. Again, because the parent was not doing their job to begin with, and they want someone else (welcome to D.C.) to pick up the slack.

Those parents can feign ignorance all they wish, but it doesn't buy them (or their kid) anything in the long run. Ultimately, the kid suffers because the parent is so poorly behaved! But such parents are too short sighted and self involved to see that.

It carries into so many areas. If only the parents would do their job. For the kid's sake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...and one day, OP, you're going to have kids of your own and I'm totally going to indulge my schadenfreude. Again, quiet toddlers. Ten minutes. In the way? Sure, someone should have moved them. But a massive example of crappy parenting? Uh, no.

I have two kids of my own, and uh yes, it is crappy parenting. It really disgusts me that these people are passing on their self-absorbed, entitled behavior to a generation of innocents who have no one better to look up to. Parents should teach their children to be aware of their impact on others and, if necessary, to get their kids out of the way if they are causing problems for others. I have walked out of a restaurant in situations like that, and there are plenty of parents like me.

We work to make our children comfortable, to make them smart, and to give them opportunity. And yet so many parents are totally punting on teaching basic human values.

Amen, sister!

[Anonymous]

That's ridiculous. What sort of lazy mother not only lets her kids lay on a dirty restaurant floor, but lets them actively block the patrons traffic?

Really I have a 2 and a 1 y/o and I'd never let them lollop about on the floor that's been mopped gods-only-know-when and hope that they didnt get stepped on. How hard is it to put your kid in a high chair and ignore them if that's how much of a slacker you are? Or better yet go someplace to visit with your friend that has childcare if all you want is a break?

...Also, DH just walked in and wants me to post that he'd be horrified to find out that I let our kids do something like that, and doesnt understand how anyone can defend that kind of crap either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what's worse - parents (because please, let's not act like it's only mothers who do this) who allow their children to run wild, or posters who work themselves into a tizzy over. "That mother was terrible! Sad! Pathetic! She should be in jail! She should be SHOT!"

You play the martyr with the ease of a future MIL. But the point is still valid.

Oh, whatever. My kids aren't laying on a dirty floor anywhere. I just think the feeding frenzies get a little ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I think... THINK that this would be a WHOLE different thread if the women sitting and chatting were the kids' nannies.

[Anonymous]

ITA

[Anonymous]

Man, I just read the Tryst thread...Going to a coffee shop and not ordering anything. Then chewing and screwing. Classic. They are probably "economizing" in that matter to save for their 30K a year tuition at Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

This thread cracks me up. We have left restaurants before our food has arrived because of a child running around. Just wait until your last has gone off to college and (IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT BY THEN!!) the shoe is on the other foot. If you do a good job (includes teaching kids the golden rule), you just may join our club!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...and one day, OP, you're going to have kids of your own and I'm totally going to indulge my schadenfreude. Again, quiet toddlers. Ten minutes. In the way? Sure,
someone should have moved them. But a massive example of crappy parenting? Uh, no.

OP here. Just got back from a nice dinner and saw this mean post. When and where did I say that this incident was a "massive example of crappy parenting?" I think my original post explained the situation pretty objectively.

And by the way, I'm 42. DH and I would like to be pregnant, but so far it hasn't happened. You may not be able to indulge your schadenfreude after all.

Thanks on both counts.

OP--I just posted about my son's shrieking playmate. Trust me--even after you have a kid, you will still feel the same way about clueless, self-absorbed parents. The poster who decided to shit on you saw herself reflected in your post, so blow it off. Sending you all my conception vibes (if there are such things)...

OP here- thanks! I noticed we didn't hear back from that troll. Call me naive, but I honestly didn't think this post would invoke such virulence.

[Anonymous]

The Golden Rule. WHAT a concept! PARENTING anyone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: They just didn't care. I would have nudged them aside with my foot.

Hah! I wish I would do this too.

Reminds me of that Dave Chapelle sketch and how he says if a kid is running around in a store, you should trip 'em to help the mom out. Then you can tell the mom, "Yo baby fell."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...and one day, OP, you're going to have kids of your own and I'm totally going to indulge my schadenfreude. Again, quiet toddlers. Ten minutes. In the way? Sure, someone should have moved them. But a massive example of crappy parenting? Uh, no.

The best part? OP says, "I will not pass judgment," and then judge, judge, judge, judge. Ha! Thanks, OP, for giving me a hugh laugh. You are a piece of work!