Am I just a cranky old gal?

[nativetxn]

I have noticed, lately, that the word "no" is never used. There are "options" instead.

"What would you like to wear today?" This shirt or this shirt? What do you choose? This shirt or this shirt?

What do you want for breakfast? Cereal or eggs? What do you choose, cereal or eggs?

When a child is 4 or 5 they can choose what to wear and what to eat for breakfast. A two year old is eating and wearing what I choose for them.

I'm probably going to be a terrible grandmother

Katholyn

 

[pearlieq]

If you're a cranky old biddy then I'm right there with you!

I understand young kids are prone to act up/make noise, but I expect the parents to be on them like white on rice, especially in public!!!

I was just at the AMC in Downtown Disney this week, and 2 idiots brought their toddlers to the evening showing of Pride & Prejudice. Why anyone would bring 2 toddlers to an English period peice is beyond me, but when the children inevitably got bored and started to cry, scream, and babble these parents did absolutely NOTHING to quiet them. UGH!!!!

 

[Skylarr29]

Nope not a cranky old lady at all. I can totally sympathise with you. Kids are out of control and it's entirely my Generation's fault. (yeah, I was born in the 70's) We weren't taught how to raise kids. Our families were the first to embrace a different way of life, so this is what we've reaped... *sigh*

I've been childless by choice for all my adult life, and only now am I considering having kids with my BF (i'd get married first) but I guarntee you, it will be a well thought out decision.

As for the youngsters in the bathroom at B&N talking about boinking and whatnot... Heck they probably had just read "RainBow Party". *shudders* We sexualize our children Far too young here.

Totally agree.Kids know way too much these days. I was just talking to my friend about this when we were at universal last weekend. We saw this beetle juice show and in the beginning he tells you to put your arms out and squeeze the persons chest next to you. I was like OMG and no I am not a prude or anything I was just looking around the theater at all the children. There was also several cooments about you know what and these half dressed girls with freaky hair etc . I told my friend my children would never be allowed to see that show unless they were like in highschool or something and she told I was going to raise a bunch of wussy, cry baby kids.... Oh well.

 

[akhenaten]

If you're a cranky old biddy then I'm right there with you!

I understand young kids are prone to act up/make noise, but I expect the parents to be on them like white on rice, especially in public!!!

I was just at the AMC in Downtown Disney this week, and 2 idiots brought their toddlers to the evening showing of Pride & Prejudice. Why anyone would bring 2 toddlers to an English period peice is beyond me, but when the children inevitably got bored and started to cry, scream, and babble these parents did absolutely NOTHING to quiet them. UGH!!!!

Did you stay or did you leave and ask Manager for a refund? Until people start hurting companies in the pocket book ..the companies won't do anyhthing about it

One time my DH and I left our children at home and went out to a nice restaurant for a quiet romantic dinner......
no such luck..there was a large group celebrating a first communion...not a problem..except they let the children run all over the restaurant!!
ANd no we did not leave or ask for any compensation...but we should have...especially since t was one of our very rare nights out without kids!!!

 

[LoveWDW]

I was surprised while on a boat at WDW that a mother sat with her 9-10 year old in her lap and kept dancing around- seated- really! It was comical. Jigging up and down with the child and then rocking her all the way to the left and quickly all the way to the right and then tickles tickles and then bounce bounce bounce - it was strange! Then I looked at the people in front of them and the Dad was there with the other child of similar age and doing the shake shake bounce bounce tickles etc. I was not offended at all, more bemused, and wondered about what they were teaching the children- what about decorum? What about how to behave in public? What about not making a spectacle of yourself in public? If it had been at a parade or dance or game or even if there had been bouncy music playing- then fine- but on public transportation?

 

[kristen821]

I was surprised while on a boat at WDW that a mother sat with her 9-10 year old in her lap and kept dancing around- seated- really! It was comical. Jigging up and down with the child and then rocking her all the way to the left and quickly all the way to the right and then tickles tickles and then bounce bounce bounce - it was strange! Then I looked at the people in front of them and the Dad was there with the other child of similar age and doing the shake shake bounce bounce tickles etc. I was not offended at all, more bemused, and wondered about what they were teaching the children- what about decorum? What about how to behave in public? What about not making a spectacle of yourself in public? If it had been at a parade or dance or game or even if there had been bouncy music playing- then fine- but on public transportation?

Although I would never do this, because I am too shy. I do appreciate seeing parents having fun with thier kids.

 

[sleepyone]

My dd3 is always within reaching distance from me too! I don't think I ever had somebody not appreciate her hi. She almost always gets a reply back.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

I was like this as a child, and even today, I'll start a conversation with a stranger. Your child is outgoing and kind, I bet! Way to go Mom!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Yes, I agree that people just let their children run wild sometimes. I have an autistic ds and watch him like a hawk. If I see a melt down coming on, we are out of the store in a hurry.

 

[binny]

Nope not cranky.

I HATE how some people ignore their kids or treat them like little adults! My kids arent perfect, far from it, but honestly if your kid is making such a scene that I want to scream too we have a problem.

I cant tell you how many kids we saw alone in Vegas this week. We were at the Circus Circus and I'll tell you, I think that place is a pedophiles paradise! Parents would let their little kids go up to the midway while they were down gambling. Now theyre arent SUPPOSED to do that but we saw it A LOT! So sad!

I agree too with the if your kid is screaming, you remove them from the situation. Its common courtesy to do that. If you absolutely CANT leave please plan ahead and bring something that will occupy them! cheerios work well as do small toys. We always had an emergency bag of snacks and toys in the stroller. Im also not above bribery when it comes to making my kids behave " Be good and you wil get this..."



Now I will take exception to a couple of things
I take my kids, one at a time, to coffee shops. BUT and this is a BIG but, they BEHAVE. This is a special treat to get to go with mom for a "date" to her favourite place so they are on their best behaviour! We order coffee for me and hot cocoa for them and biscotti or muffins and we have a really nice time! This is one of my favourite times with my kids actually.

As far as the parent on the bus, there is a HUGE difference between a family teasing and having fun together and a screeching child!
Hey, Im all for having a good time as long as we arent disturbing anyone. Maybe the parents are trying to difuse a potentially bad situation? Maybe they just want to share their joy with the kids, go for it! As long as no one is being put out, I dont see anything wrong with it. There is a time and a place for decorum on a Disney Bus is not really my idea of a place where we need to be quiet
No offense meant there and I dont mean to single you out at all

 

[DVC Jen]

Maybe we could start a "cranky old gal" club. You can kindly sign me up for that membership.


I think there are so many parents out there that have A) have to work incredibly hard just to make ends meet and they are so tired they don't take the time to realize that by NOT disciplining their kids they are being neglegent. Or B) They are lazy people who really don't care enough or know better. OR C) they are close to loosing it themselves after a day with one heck of a demanding child.

I am a preschool teacher and find myself giving that teacher look to kids who are acting out and whose parents are not doing anything about it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

 

[disneymom3]

Well if you are a cranky old biddy than so am I!! And I am only 36 and have a 4, 5 and 9 yo of my own, so I am pretty sure I am not. The rule in our house is that in a parking lot you hold mom's hand until you are a kindergartener. If you are older than that, you have to be within arms reach (child's arm, not mine) of mommy at all times. This goes for the 9 yo too. There are just too many weird people in the world.

My kids also know that heads will roll if they cause trouble like that in any public environment. We have a cousin who is allowed to run wild in restaurants etc. The last time one of my kids tried to follow his example was about 2 years ago when middle DS was 3. I grabbed his arm as he tried to fly past me and said, "WHAT are you doing?? This is a restaurant, go sit down." He was sitting with Gpa. He said, "But so and so....." The look must have done it because he stopped in the middle of his sentence and said, "I know, you are not his mom." DD chimes in, "Well, THAT is for sure!!" She was quite sick of cousin hitting her every time she tried to take a bite. And when I say something to annoying cousin, then sister will finally try and address the situation but always just justifies his annoying behavior. (The only time I bother saying something is when cousin is harming or bothering my own kids.)

I don't get what has become of parenting the last several years. I swear it is getting worse!

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

wow...my mom would kill me as a kid if i acted like that...i was always taught that in public im an angel....at home i can be bad...and ill get punshied if im bad any where!

Im 14 and nobody talked about getting drunk or their "romantic life" (insert sarcasam in the last 2 words) when i was 12..now they do..but alot of it is talk when they acctually did nothing

 

[MoniqueU]

I feel like I am constantly telling my kids shhhhh to the point where other people are looking at me like I am a grinch. But I grew up an only child and I am just not used to all the noise LOL. I think I am on the cranky side but I could NEVER be a teacher and places like Chuck E Cheese nearly kill me. Disneyland is great though for some reason even the most obnoxious child seems sweet to me at Disneyland. Unless mine are acting up.

 

[goofygirl]

No, its not just you.

You are not cranky.

They are irritating!

I'm finding rudeness not just among kids though, but adults. Doesnt anyone say "excuse me" anymore if they bump against someone out in public?

 

[sleepyone]

Guess what I did tonight? We went to a nice family restaurant that was taking a very long time. We sat there for 1.5 hours before the food came. We were talking and hadn't really noticed so much time had passed until ds2 just coudn't bear sitting any more. He started having that tired, fidgety look (imminent meltdown). I took him to the car and finished my meal at home from a styrofoam container. No screaming involved with the kids, parents, waitstaff, or other diners...LOL.

When I buckled him in his carseat, he said "I ready".

 

[kristen821]

Guess what I did tonight? We went to a nice family restaurant that was taking a very long time. We sat there for 1.5 hours before the food came. We were talking and hadn't really noticed so much time had passed until ds2 just coudn't bear sitting any more. He started having that tired, fidgety look (imminent meltdown). I took him to the car and finished my meal at home from a styrofoam container. No screaming involved with the kids, parents, waitstaff, or other diners...LOL.

When I buckled him in his carseat, he said "I ready".

Good for you! That is what all parents should do.