Normally I think other people's poorly behaved kids bother me at about a 7 of 10, but this trip, by the end I was nearly ready to strangle someone. I think it may have been our room's proximity to the lobby and all the screaming I heard all day, but sheesh. People certainly seem to let their kids run amok. I know I sound like a grumpy cuss, but is anyone else finding their patience wearing thin with other people's kids? I mean what are they all DOING here anyway? 
Brad, this may offend a few people but here goes anyway
Personally I love kids,>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Barbecued is the best way, some barbecue sauce and a little salt and pepper and kids are great 
My apologies if some find this offensive but it is just a joke, and besides I have been dying to find a place to use this line
Normally I think other people's poorly behaved kids bother me at about a 7 of 10, but this trip, by the end I was nearly ready to strangle someone. I think it may have been our room's proximity to the lobby and all the screaming I heard all day, but sheesh. People certainly seem to let their kids run amok. I know I sound like a grumpy cuss, but is anyone else finding their patience wearing thin with other people's kids? I mean what are they all DOING here anyway?
Caitie gets very annoyed by loud kids. I have a higher threshhold, given that I'm a teacher. My tolerance gets strained, though, when I see bad parenting. I told the story of what happened on our cruise on our honeymoon before, didn't I? This boy, maybe three or four years old, was SCREAMING during the drills because he didn't want to wear the bracelet he had to wear. The mom held him, but didn't really do anything despite the angry looks from people around them. No one could hear the announcements we were supposed to be there listening to. Finally, I took it into my own hands, and started talking to the kid, telling him "hey, you know that bracelet is magic, right? If all the kids wear the bracelets, it keeps the ship afloat and lets us all have a really good time." I had actually quieted the kid down. He was listening to me. Then the mom turns to him and says "He's telling you a good story, right?" in a sarcastic voice -- and the screaming started again. I seriously was about to punch the woman. Another dad stepped in then and started making funny faces -- then THAT dad's kids started doing it. It took about five people in the end to get the kid quiet - and by the time he was, of course, the drill was done.
We saw that family again later in the cruise - the kid was screaming about something else, acting like dead weight as his parents tried dragging him behind.
My parents would NEVER have allowed that. I would have been silenced immediately at the drill -- either threat of something being taken away (like no pool time or something) or a swift wack on the butt. (And hey look, I'm pretty well adjusted!). I would have spent an hour in the room not having fun - heck, at that age - a half hour would do it! - and I'd be well behaved.
This was just bad parenting, and it's run amuck. We have licenses for driving and marriage, as a teacher (and I know lots of teachers who agree with me) there should be a license for parenting. Question one: Your kid is screaming in public in an inappropriate place and time. Do you A)let them continue to scream. B)Make them be quiet. If you even think about A as an answer, you should be denied license and can try again in a year.
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
I'm with teacherdrama..I'm an elementary school teacher so I love kids..but I'm not immune to the annoying screaming kid..and I am super conscious about my kid NOT being that kid. What really annoys me is bad parents who just ignore or scream. Neither one of those options work homies.
Bella
This depends on where I am. If we are at one of the character meals, it does not bother me. However, if we are at one of the nicer places it drives me nuts. Our dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse was interesting to say the least. We were seated beside a young couple with two young kids. The little girl was probably around 18 months old. The little boy probably 3. They did not make the baby stay in the highchair. Needless to say she was crawling all over the floor and jumping on the booth which I was sharing with them. The poor waitress had to step over/around her several times. The parents took turns chasing after her. I am sure they did not both sit at the table together longer than 10 minutes for the entire meal. The little boy joined in her fun and games once he was done eating. Not a great meal for any of us.
Problem is there are laws prohibiting parents from using any kind of physical discipline ( A swat on the butt always worked great for me.) on the kids.
Case in point: Our granddaughter, at the time about 3 or 4, was being completely obnoxious while in Walmart. Our daughter gave her a swift clip to the butt and was escorted by store security to a back office, under threat of arrest, where she was given a lecture on child abuse.
We are subjects of our own making.
Joe
I dont know about other states but a whack on the butt is fine in colorado, as long as it doesnt leave any marks...and at about 3-4 years old just the sound makes them pay attention. I theatened my children with a "discussion in the bathroom" if they didnt shape up. Usually the threat worked but sometimes they forgot I follow thru. Once they got older (even with my 13 year old) they get 3 chances. First I tell then to stop what they are doing, then I tell them to stop what they are doing or "x (whatever I decide on the punishment is)" will happen, then I do "x"...and now its usually psychological warfare.
MANY times when my son did something that was not appropriate (I.E. tick me the heck off) he came home to a room with a mattress on the floor, 2 days worth of clothing and some books (I never take away books as a punishment) and some paper and some pencils ONLY in his room. No posters, no ipod, NOTHING else. I packed it all up and put it in the garage.
But yes, children are great BBQ'd!
wow, I am getting some seriously great ideas from this thread! I've always feared having kids, because I figure eventually you just get worn out with the crying and the tantrums. When I see parents at WDW who aren't doing anything about the bad behavior, I figure it's a lost cause.
Now that I'm hearing maybe they CAN do something about it, it seems even worse.
It's the restaurants that are the toughest, too. When a child is screaming their head off at a restaurant and the parents are making feeble attempts at stopping it because they want to keep eating, I get discouraged. I think I'd be the parent that would forego my meal and take the kid outside until s/he quiets down.
May 2008 CSR
Personally I love kids,>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I can only please one person per day. Today isn't your day... tomorrow doesn't look good either.
wow, I am getting some seriously great ideas from this thread! I've always feared having kids, because I figure eventually you just get worn out with the crying and the tantrums. When I see parents at WDW who aren't doing anything about the bad behavior, I figure it's a lost cause.
Now that I'm hearing maybe they CAN do something about it, it seems even worse.
It's the restaurants that are the toughest, too. When a child is screaming their head off at a restaurant and the parents are making feeble attempts at stopping it because they want to keep eating, I get discouraged. I think I'd be the parent that would forego my meal and take the kid outside until s/he quiets down.
It's all about consistancy!
Granted, my son is not quiet one so I'm not a pro on this subject but as a teacher it's the parents that are wishy-washy that have the worst behaved kids. No joke!
If one of my students acts up (we'll call him Kid A) and I say "I'm going to have to send a note home to your mom" he'll straighten right up because he KNOWS Mom doesn't play.
If Kid B acts up, and I say I'm going to have to send a note home to your mom" he gets worried..but then goes right back to doing what he was doing because he knows mom will get mad at him for a second or two & then just go back on whatever punishment she gave him in the first place. The parents care but they just give in too easily and are inconsistent with the punishments.
Bella
I dont know about other states but a whack on the butt is fine in colorado, as long as it doesnt leave any marks...and at about 3-4 years old just the sound makes them pay attention. I theatened my children with a "discussion in the bathroom" if they didnt shape up. Usually the threat worked but sometimes they forgot I follow thru. Once they got older (even with my 13 year old) they get 3 chances. First I tell then to stop what they are doing, then I tell them to stop what they are doing or "x (whatever I decide on the punishment is)" will happen, then I do "x"...and now its usually psychological warfare.
MANY times when my son did something that was not appropriate (I.E. tick me the heck off) he came home to a room with a mattress on the floor, 2 days worth of clothing and some books (I never take away books as a punishment) and some paper and some pencils ONLY in his room. No posters, no ipod, NOTHING else. I packed it all up and put it in the garage.
But yes, children are great BBQ'd!
Wow - that sounds like a whole lot of punishment for you! What a lot of work to clean out a whole room!
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
PsychoAlice wrote:I dont know about other states but a whack on the butt is fine in colorado, as long as it doesnt leave any marks...and at about 3-4 years old just the sound makes them pay attention. I theatened my children with a "discussion in the bathroom" if they didnt shape up. Usually the threat worked but sometimes they forgot I follow thru. Once they got older (even with my 13 year old) they get 3 chances. First I tell then to stop what they are doing, then I tell them to stop what they are doing or "x (whatever I decide on the punishment is)" will happen, then I do "x"...and now its usually psychological warfare.
MANY times when my son did something that was not appropriate (I.E. tick me the heck off) he came home to a room with a mattress on the floor, 2 days worth of clothing and some books (I never take away books as a punishment) and some paper and some pencils ONLY in his room. No posters, no ipod, NOTHING else. I packed it all up and put it in the garage.
But yes, children are great BBQ'd!
Wow - that sounds like a whole lot of punishment for you! What a lot of work to clean out a whole room!
That reminds me of that Cosby Show episode where Theo comes home to the "lesson about living on his own."
That reminds me of that Cosby Show episode where Theo comes home to the "lesson about living on his own."
HA! Great reference!
Second only to Cosby's lesson with the Monopoly money in the pilot -- "There is a problem - you haven't eaten yet!"
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life, no wonder you get Ds in everything!"
Classic stuff.
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
That reminds me of that Cosby Show episode where Theo comes home to the "lesson about living on his own."
I always wanted to be a part of that family. Remember when they summoned Theo and he had to go to court for telling half truths?
Bella
I hate to be that guy, but kids drive me crazy. More specifically their parents do. Why are you letting your kid scream in a restaurant? Why aren't you doing something about your kid who is totally invading my personal space because they want to see something? Etc., Etc. Ok rant done.