I agree with OP! Attention seeking and annoying! The mom probably posts annoying crap on Facebook too.

I don’t think I do this, but I am positive that I have done more embarrassing things in public than read too loudly to my children.

We were at a decidedly not fancy chain restaurant with my in-laws a couple of weeks ago when a couple rolled up with a young baby, baby started to fuss as babies do, and the mom went through every possible verse of a popular children’s song singing to the baby. I’d rather hear the baby be upset and cry and the parents do the normal calming stuff (feeding, holding, bouncing, etc.) than hear her singing. I was very second-hand embarrassed.

Anonymous wrote:I notice this a lot at places like Target and Barnes and Noble where mom’s are taking to their babies/toddlers so loudly I can hear them aisles away

I have this thing called a life where I don't pay all that much attention to other people doing their thing *in public places.* And I have these things called legs where if I'm annoyed by something, I walk away from it.

I notice this a lot at places like Target and Barnes and Noble where mom’s are taking to their babies/toddlers so loudly I can hear them aisles away

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good that OP is bringing some awareness to this issue.

I don't think there's anyone out there who isn't aware of this "issue." But it's like when you're in a car, you hate pedestrians; and when you're a pedestrian, you hate the people in cars. When you're out sans kids, this is annoying AF. But when you're out with your kids, you're just absorbed in them and the moment, and you're oblivious.

Either way? No big deal. If you choose to be annoyed by it, you'll waste your time feeling annoyed. If you smile at them and move on, you'll enjoy your evening.

Personally, I’m not “that way”’at all. I love seeing children out and about. But I also love it when parents and children are learning to practice good manners in public.

Anonymous wrote:Good that OP is bringing some awareness to this issue.

I don't think there's anyone out there who isn't aware of this "issue." But it's like when you're in a car, you hate pedestrians; and when you're a pedestrian, you hate the people in cars. When you're out sans kids, this is annoying AF. But when you're out with your kids, you're just absorbed in them and the moment, and you're oblivious.

Either way? No big deal. If you choose to be annoyed by it, you'll waste your time feeling annoyed. If you smile at them and move on, you'll enjoy your evening.

You are very sensitive OP!

Good that OP is bringing some awareness to this issue.

I suggest you were just peeved that there was a baby out, when you got a baby sitter, and that you were more hyper focused, than this person was loud.

My suggestion is to engage at your own table, rather than ruminating over other tables. You should only really notice if someone flips over their table, and all toy glassware comes crashing to the floor, before they trip over you, storming out.

People with otherwise normal hearing can have difficulty hearing in crowded/noisy environments, and thus tend to ramp up the volume, assuming everyone else is having the same experience.

I know this from working with speech and hearing faculty at UMD who describe this as a "cocktail party phenomenon."

At any rate, no matter the reason, you can choose to ignore and move on with your day, or leave and go elsewhere. Ruminating and stewing isn't really going to get you anywhere. You will encounter this scenario again. You can choose to be annoyed, or be mature. Your call.

We were out to dinner last night and sat a few tables away from a family with a baby in a highchair. Mom was sitting next to her and reading her books to keep her occupied. Great, right? Except it was SO LOUD! The whole restaurant could hear that C is for cat and D is for dog and E is for elephant, etc etc. Do people just not hear themselves? And for those who will say--well would you rather have a screeching child? The child was still screeching even above the noise of the mom reading. I've noticed this in other public places as well. Babies and kids can hear you if you speak in a regular speaking voice. Yelling it will not make your baby understand letters any faster. Yes, I have kids.