I won't go into whether the staff at the Smithsonian or Building Museum should grab your child, scold your child, etc.

I will just say this, as a parent of a sensitive kid, who really does get upset when somebody he doesn't know yells at him (e.g., lifeguard yelling at him not to run), I view these instances as GOOD things.

View it as a learning experience for your child OP. Not everybody loves kids. Not everybody is going to always be nice to your kid. Eventually your child will be in school and will need to deal with meanies as well. Teaching your kid to deal with these situations will go a long way. Explain to your child why said staff member scolded her or restrained her. I know OP's kid is pretty young, but it can still be a good learning experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here - wow, interesting posts. I guess most of the people here have never been to the BZ in the NBM. The BZ is for children - it's hands on and as member of the museum i can tell you that the great hall is often filled with running, skipping and playing toddlers and kids. Its a great downtown playspace on hot days and very cold ones. In fact on Saturday several of the kids and staff had a soccer game going.

As to my "out of control" child. As any 18 month old will do, she ran forward in excitement about two arms lengths ahead. I did ask "is this weird" to get a general sense of what others thought. I doubt I will complain since we do go often and weekdays maybe a different vibe.


Thanks

Yep. DCUM-ers who feel the need to comment on every little thing, even though they have never been to the building museum or the BZ. OP- I had what sounds like the same woman come running after my 13 mo when he was headed in, too. Like he was going to damage something in the stroller parking zone.



For the record, PPs, we non-helicopter parents do allow our kids out of arms reach is designated kids areas.

For the record, I too have been to BZ -there is limit on the number of family/toddlers who can be in their at once. Your precious little Cameron cannot just go screaming into the room at a dead run. It's just parenting not helicopter parenting. Get over yourselves-- your kids aren't welcome to do whatever they like - even in a play area.

I think you're over exagerting the OP - but it's DCUM! That's what we do!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here - wow, interesting posts. I guess most of the people here have never been to the BZ in the NBM. The BZ is for children - it's hands on and as member of the museum i can tell you that the great hall is often filled with running, skipping and playing toddlers and kids. Its a great downtown playspace on hot days and very cold ones. In fact on Saturday several of the kids and staff had a soccer game going.

As to my "out of control" child. As any 18 month old will do, she ran forward in excitement about two arms lengths ahead. I did ask "is this weird" to get a general sense of what others thought. I doubt I will complain since we do go often and weekdays maybe a different vibe.


Thanks

Yep. DCUM-ers who feel the need to comment on every little thing, even though they have never been to the building museum or the BZ. OP- I had what sounds like the same woman come running after my 13 mo when he was headed in, too. Like he was going to damage something in the stroller parking zone.



For the record, PPs, we non-helicopter parents do allow our kids out of arms reach is designated kids areas.

For the record, I too have been to BZ -there is limit on the number of family/toddlers who can be in their at once. Your precious little Cameron cannot just go screaming into the room at a dead run. It's just parenting not helicopter parenting. Get over yourselves-- your kids aren't welcome to do whatever they like - even in a play area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Smithsonian staff has ruined many a trip for my (homeschooling) family. My kids have grown accustomed to being treated in a dehumanizing manner, no matter how well-behaved they are. The art museum is the worst.

OP, I would politely, but formally, complain.

Well, OP, you have to imagine what it must look like for the Smithsonian staff -- charged with protecting some of the most priceless art works in the world -- when a gang of 6 or 8 homeschoolers walks in. Sorry to perpetuate a stereotype, but there you go. If I was on staff there, I would stiffen up, too.

What us it about a homeschooling family that sets off alarm bells? I am honestly curious to know. The fact that we made the effort to do a family field trip would seem to indicate we are eager learners and honored to be there. I never understand the hostility.


For the record, my children have yet to do something to actually get in trouble at the Smithsonian. Our problem is the preemptive discipline, done in a hostile, demeaning tone. This treatment has led to an association between DC museums and mean adults, which is the exact opposite of my hope for such trips. It is not just unfortunate for my kids, but draining for me.

The lack of integration into society. But, really, if you are getting a lot of "preemptive discipline," I would bet quite a bit that the children are not fully under control. We go to the museums quite a bit, and my child never has any interaction with the guards at all (other than to hand her bag over for inspection at the door). But, then again, we usually require her to hold our hand in the museum, or at least stand right by our side. When her school goes, they all have to hold hand or a rope. You should probably reexamine your methods. How far do you let your little ones stray?

They don't stray. I wear the baby, and the toddlers are in the stroller. My big kids have a buddy to hold hands. They don't run, or try to touch anything. If the babies fuss, we go outside. They know the rules.

The assumption is that we are there to destroy, or that we are stupid. As soon as my little entourage arrives, someone snaps, "stay back!" or "no pictures!" or "quiet, please!" when no one is being loud. Sometimes it is not what is said, but how it is said; other times, we are shadowed like criminals. I try to have a sense of humor about it, but the kids get browbeaten.

As for the dig about "lack of integration," well, here we are in our nation's capital, correct? And schoolchildren who attend institutional schools and spend the entire day with same-age peers are more out in society than my kids, who are out and about and interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds every day? The logic escapes me.

But it is good to have a reminder that my kids need to be always on their guard, in order to represent homeschoolers positively. I just wish people would be more pleasant and friendly when we do venture out of our survivalist compound.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Smithsonian staff has ruined many a trip for my (homeschooling) family. My kids have grown accustomed to being treated in a dehumanizing manner, no matter how well-behaved they are. The art museum is the worst.

OP, I would politely, but formally, complain.

Well, OP, you have to imagine what it must look like for the Smithsonian staff -- charged with protecting some of the most priceless art works in the world -- when a gang of 6 or 8 homeschoolers walks in. Sorry to perpetuate a stereotype, but there you go. If I was on staff there, I would stiffen up, too.

What us it about a homeschooling family that sets off alarm bells? I am honestly curious to know. The fact that we made the effort to do a family field trip would seem to indicate we are eager learners and honored to be there. I never understand the hostility.


For the record, my children have yet to do something to actually get in trouble at the Smithsonian. Our problem is the preemptive discipline, done in a hostile, demeaning tone. This treatment has led to an association between DC museums and mean adults, which is the exact opposite of my hope for such trips. It is not just unfortunate for my kids, but draining for me.

The lack of integration into society. But, really, if you are getting a lot of "preemptive discipline," I would bet quite a bit that the children are not fully under control. We go to the museums quite a bit, and my child never has any interaction with the guards at all (other than to hand her bag over for inspection at the door). But, then again, we usually require her to hold our hand in the museum, or at least stand right by our side. When her school goes, they all have to hold hand or a rope. You should probably reexamine your methods. How far do you let your little ones stray?

Anonymous wrote:Op here - wow, interesting posts. I guess most of the people here have never been to the BZ in the NBM. The BZ is for children - it's hands on and as member of the museum i can tell you that the great hall is often filled with running, skipping and playing toddlers and kids. Its a great downtown playspace on hot days and very cold ones. In fact on Saturday several of the kids and staff had a soccer game going.

As to my "out of control" child. As any 18 month old will do, she ran forward in excitement about two arms lengths ahead. I did ask "is this weird" to get a general sense of what others thought. I doubt I will complain since we do go often and weekdays maybe a different vibe.


Thanks

OP, I don't think you're in the wrong. The guard overreacted and shouldn't have grabbed your child.

Anonymous wrote:I can absolutely see how any employee anywhere near children in this area would be fed up with all the entitled parents. Change your way of thinking, try being considerate and aware and gmaybe just maybe apologetic. Stop trying to be in lawyer mode, so defensive and try being sympathietic and more human like. You will get much, much further acting like a responsbile adult than a spoiled child yourself. Lookiong for free child care is just looking to piss people off. Don't be surprised in the least. Just saying.

Did I miss where the OP said she was a lawyer?

Anonymous wrote:It is important for children to know the rules and for them to respect other people when they tell them no. I find it fascinating how bent-out-of-shape parents get when another adult has the temerity to tell their child no or to prevent them from doing something they shouldn't.

She wasn't annoyed that someone "told" her child no - but that someone physically restrained her child. As would I....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Smithsonian staff has ruined many a trip for my (homeschooling) family. My kids have grown accustomed to being treated in a dehumanizing manner, no matter how well-behaved they are. The art museum is the worst.

OP, I would politely, but formally, complain.

Well, OP, you have to imagine what it must look like for the Smithsonian staff -- charged with protecting some of the most priceless art works in the world -- when a gang of 6 or 8 homeschoolers walks in. Sorry to perpetuate a stereotype, but there you go. If I was on staff there, I would stiffen up, too.

What us it about a homeschooling family that sets off alarm bells? I am honestly curious to know. The fact that we made the effort to do a family field trip would seem to indicate we are eager learners and honored to be there. I never understand the hostility.

For the record, my children have yet to do something to actually get in trouble at the Smithsonian. Our problem is the preemptive discipline, done in a hostile, demeaning tone. This treatment has led to an association between DC museums and mean adults, which is the exact opposite of my hope for such trips. It is not just unfortunate for my kids, but draining for me.

Anonymous wrote:You mean, "Jackson" Pollock?

I didn't realize he worked in peanut butter.

But Gallagher does

It is important for children to know the rules and for them to respect other people when they tell them no. I find it fascinating how bent-out-of-shape parents get when another adult has the temerity to tell their child no or to prevent them from doing something they shouldn't.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/07/05/granderson.bratty.kids/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Curb your brat.

Did they blame it on 9/11? I've gotten that from museum guards before to explain the most non-9/11 things.

I can absolutely see how any employee anywhere near children in this area would be fed up with all the entitled parents. Change your way of thinking, try being considerate and aware and gmaybe just maybe apologetic. Stop trying to be in lawyer mode, so defensive and try being sympathietic and more human like. You will get much, much further acting like a responsbile adult than a spoiled child yourself. Lookiong for free child care is just looking to piss people off. Don't be surprised in the least. Just saying.

One day, a librarian saw my son run ahead of me and said in a not so nice tone "there goes another one" then she saw me in hot pursuit (it took me a minute to get up off the ground where I was looking at books).. I thought she was "not so nice" about it. Then I kept going to the library and realized why. People totally don't watch their kids and even leave them in the kids section while they go upstairs (not old kids). There have been days I've seen the poor women not have a minute to do their actual jobs, because they are trying to track down parents. I can see where any sane person would lose their "nice" after awhile.

My point is - maybe grabbing your child seemed extreme - but maybe it was the 100th child that day that ran ahead - and maybe the other 99 weren't closely followed by a parent - or had parents that flagrantly flaunted the rules (oh - the no ball rule can't apply to my child).