anyone else get irritated with this?

[JenDaveBrendan]

I have noticed a theme going on at the adult board of people having problems with children at the park-- note the "screaming children" and "what bothers you most?" threads.....
I don't know about anyone else, but some people's comments/assumptions about children/parents really $%&@ me off... I just can't take it when people with no children make comments about other parents and how to raise children. IMO, don't make judgements about anyone-- you don't know their exact situation or what exactly is going on.
Does anyone else feel this way?
Please don't flame me on this post..... I just really needed to get this off my chest...

Jen

 

[disneyjunkie]

It doesn't bother me at all. I'm a parent and I agree with many of the things I've read on those threads.

There's no way my son would get away with the things I've seen kids do at WDW. If he can't sit down in a restaurant without disturbing those around us, we leave. He can't sit in a theatre and scream, talk loud, and kick the chair in front of him...

We may be on vacation, but I still have to be a parent. Yes, kids will be kids, but parents should be parents.

We all invest a great deal in our trips, they should not be ruined by unruly kids or adults.

 

[Cbarr]

I don't get irritated at all when I read those comments...in fact I totally agree! I can't believe the way some parents let their children behave, and if your child is having a meltdown (which I know is sometimes unavoidable), take them somewhere else so others don't have to listen to your child's tantum.

 

[lindaso]

Well don't you know that the experts on parenting are the people who don't have kids? Serioiusly, think back to all the things you've thought or said before you had kids and how many times you've eaten those words? I know I have.

I don't tend to get bothered by those posts and if I do, I can choose not to read them. I do try my best to parent at WDW the same way I parent at home but it's not always easy. I've seen a lot at WDW and I'd rather see a tantruming kid than a parent smacking him, that's for sure.

And remember, those people who complain about being hit in the ankle with a stroller were likely the same people who purposely cut in front of that stroller!!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by lindaso
Well don't you know that the experts on parenting are the people who don't have kids? Serioiusly, think back to all the things you've thought or said before you had kids and how many times you've eaten those words? I know I have.

I don't tend to get bothered by those posts and if I do, I can choose not to read them. I do try my best to parent at WDW the same way I parent at home but it's not always easy. I've seen a lot at WDW and I'd rather see a tantruming kid than a parent smacking him, that's for sure.

And remember, those people who complain about being hit in the ankle with a stroller were likely the same people who purposely cut in front of that stroller!!

People without kids aren't the only ones complaining.

 

[GEM]

I've got a kid and have traveled with many kids, and I don't mind the threads at all. I love my little guy and all the other littel ones I've traveled with, but I certainly understand that all the people around us may not feel the same way about my little darlings. You better believe if they are having a screaming meltdown or really causing a disruption, we take them out of there! I've seen way to many parents who seem to think that taking a vacation means taking a vacation from being a parent.

 

[lindaso]

Originally posted by disneyjunkie
People without kids aren't the only ones complaining.

I realize it's not only people without kids. I don't tend to get into debates on these boards so let me just say that everyone has different levels of tolerance for kids. A wild out-of-control child is one thing, but a little noise at a family-friendly place is another. Some of these posters want these kids to be mini-adults and that's just not gonna happen. And if that's what they're looking for, WDW is not the place for them.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I do get a little irritated when people without children are always the experts on raising children. Now I wouldn't let an out of control child having a melt down stay in a nice restaurant, but sometimes the complaints are ridiculous. I read one where the couple thought the children should be kept quiet ALL THE TIME in a hotel room. NOw of course you wouldn't let them run around screaming and jumping off beds but three children cannot be quiet ALL THE TIME. If they are really looking for quiet, relaxing alone time I suggest they go to an island instead of Disney.

 

[epcotfan]

I don't think most people expect children to be silent all the time, however, when the noise levels of any child or adult start to become loud enough to irritate other hotel guests then it is a problem.
We had a little boy next door to us run in and out of his room constantly. He'd slam the door then bang on it to be let back in. This went on repeatedly one morning. The parents seemed to think it was cute. It drove us nuts!

 

[kfeuer]

No, it doesn't really bother me. Heck, I'm a parent of 2 small children and I still get irritated with other people at times--mostly the parents.

On our last trip we saw too many children that were clearly exhausted being dragged around the parks. It's no surprise these kids get fussy. I guess because Disney is so expensive some people feel like they "want to get their money's worth" while ignoring the fact that the kids can get to a point where they aren't having fun anymore.

My kids were almost 3 and 5 months on our last trip. We did a very laid back trip (only spent a few hours in a park at a time) and it worked very well. I know everybody doesn't have the luxury of time to do that, but I wish they did. Even with taking it easy, one day my 2 year old had a meltdown when we went to the Sci-Fi drive-in for lunch (freaked him out for some reason). We tried to settle him for a few minutes but finally just got up and left. The waitress seemed surprised, but the way I look at it if you're paying $12 for a hamburger you at least deserve to enjoy it in peace

 

[huey duey & luey]

This is a very very sensitive subject for me right now. We were in wdw last week and I had the most upsetting event. We were in toontown outside the judges tent (cant get more kid oriented than that), my ds (21/2) had just come from seeing Cinderella and Snow White and I was attempting to get him into his stroller. Wel, he didnt want to leave and started having a tantrum. I am attempting to quiet him and I would have happily have moved him elsewhere, but everytime I would try to buckle him in he would stiffen his body. My dh was ahead with my other 2 children and a man said to his wife "satan callled he wants his son back". Now that was completely uncalled for. I would not have cared if they commented on his screaming, but that is a disgusting comment. My dh said to him thats my son ***. When my dh told me what happened I went to the couple and said that if screaming kids bother you then maybe you should find anoter vacation spot other than WDW. it was not a pretty sight, she threatened to report me to a castmember. I agree about about not subjecting people to your kids fits, but you dont know the situation. We left alfredos one night because my kids weent beahaving and I wasnt going to ruin other peoples meals, but sometimes kids have meltdowns and the parents are trying to remedy the situation, and others should not judge
Tara

 

[ahutton]

Here is my biggest gripe, pet peeve, whatever you would call it...

We had a situation recently where our DD (almost 5) was in public and started to have a meltdown. DH was with her, talking to her in a calm manner at her level and she was trying to pull it together. Then a "well meaning" person intervened and tried to fix the situation which let DD see that she was having an effect and then she really lost it.

My kids are wonderful kids, but they, like all other kids, fall apart at times. If it is obvious I'm working on resolving the situation, then let me. I get most frustrated when others undermine my authority with my child by giving the impression I don't know how to handle the situation!

 

[Cinderellagrl]

This didn't happen to me at WDW...it happened back home in a store. My family and I were shopping and my 5 yo DD wanted something. My mother told her she'd buy it for her, but in the meantime DD wasn't behaving. I warned her that if she didn't behave the toy was going back on the shelf. She didn't listen again, so I told her (in a normal voice) that the toy was going back. She followed me, crying, as I went to return the toy to the shelf. I pulled her aside & told her (again in a normal voice) that she needs to listen. Well, there were 2 women standing there & I saw they were talking about me but couldn't hear what they said. After we walked away, my older daughter told me that the one woman said to the other that she couldn't believe that I spoke to my child like that in public. I did NOT yell at her, I did NOT speak loudly to her, and I NEVER physically discipline my child. What was I supposed to do? Allow her to keep acting the way she was? And if I had, the two Mother-of-the-Year's would've criticized me for NOT disciplining my child.

 

[VAN]

There have been other posts on this same subject -- parents thinking that others on this discussion board don't like kids.

I have 45 nieces and nephews, just on my side of the family and I have two older teens (both in college) ... I LOVE children.

What I don't like are parents that allow their children to jump on my furniture, play hide and seek in my drapes, etc. while they sit there and do NOTHING TO STOP THEM. Neither my children, my DH or myself enjoy seeing children sitting and swinging on the ropes or running through our legs while waiting for an attraction while the parents watch and then look around proudly to see who else thinks their child is the cutest thing that ever lived.

It isn't that we don't like children. It is that we don't like parents that don't parent. Just because you think your child is the cutest thing in the world no matter what they might do ... doesn't mean that everyone else in the world finds their antics as wonderful.

Children will misbehave and being a parent, I can appreciate that. What I object to is parents that don't attempt to do anything about it.

 

[CaipiraBob]

When kids get tired, they behave in ways that usually surprise the parents. Especially in a situation where emotions are running high, for better or worse. It's overload.

Walt Disney created this park specifically for parents to take their children. It was his dream to create such a place since he took his children to the park to play on Sunday afternoons.

So yes, people do need to extract themselves from situations that don't bear intrusion or judgement. A crying child is just that. The manual clearly states that they don't require a reason.

ON the other hand, I do believe there are situations where the parents tend to behave worse than the children, but I think that's going OT for this thread. Still, it might be worth starting a new one so people can vent over that.

At any rate, when a child gets tired, they can melt down. If anything else, inexperienced parents may talke a bit of wisdom from this threat and take measures to avoid letting their children get to that point.

 

[shleybird]

I have been dealing with "well meaning" adults for the last 8 years. Both of my boys are very tall for thier age. They are 7 and 8, and look like they are much older my 8 year old is now 5'2" and growing daily. His brother only slightly shorter. I have recieved alot of "looks" over the years when they acted up. Last year took the cake though, my son had just turned 7 prior to our trip to WDW, while we were waiting for the rest of our group to finish breakfast at POFQ, the boys and I went out side to the play ground. My kids were not alone they had adult supervision but some "well meaning" adult told my boys that they were to big to play on the playground, and not in a nice way at all, He said "you big kids need to get the hell off the play ground" They were not hurting anyone, they have been taught to be very careful of the smaller children, so don't judge people with their kids unless you know the situation.

 

[ebarj1098]

My favorite is the looks you get when you are already removing your child from the situation. Carrying a screaming child out of anywhere gets plenty of negative attention. The fact is a child can have a meltdown or misbehave for any reason, at any time. Its just magnifyed at Disney. Don't do anything, someone will be upset; punish the child, someone will be upset; physically remove the child, someone will be upset. It just doesn't matter. You can't please everyone all the time, so why bother trying. You just have to do what you can to keep the kids from getting overtired; and if the inevitable happens, deal with it the best you can. And smile through the dirty looks! JMO!

 

[chrisn]

Sometimes it bothers me and sometimes it doesn't. Depends on the situation. I agree that you can't please everyone. Before I had children when I was very young, I use to comment on other peoples "bratty" kids and how mine would NEVER act like that. Boy did I get a rude awakening LOL! Yes we have rules and yes my children are taught manners and yes they can be the biggest stinkin brats around. Like the child in the grocery store screaming bloody murder down every aisle and the mother seemingly oblivious to it while every other shopper in the place is going nutzo! That is irritating! But you know what? Kids will be kids and your going to see a lot of bratty behavior at WDW. Maybe they are tired or overstimulated or anything. It's hard to say. Everyone's kids are brats even though some parents might be in denial. I like to call mine bratty angels and I wouldn't have them any other way!

 

[CynJ]

I never complain about the children lol- just their silly parents!

But seriously - I don't have kids, and we don't have a lot of little ones in the family either so I am FAR from an expert. But there are definitely times when a child is either too tired or too over stimulated and needs to settle down. A child bouncing off the walls and crying and yelling isn't having fun, his/her parents aren't having fun, and certainly those around them aren't having fun either.

There is certainly a difference between being and excited and exhuberant child and a child that is crying, yelling and just plain over the edge. I think its the job of the parents to know when their child crosses over from being one to the other and acting appropriately.

 

[crisi]

Originally posted by CynJ
I never complain about the children lol- just their silly parents!

But seriously - I don't have kids, and we don't have a lot of little ones in the family either so I am FAR from an expert. But there are definitely times when a child is either too tired or too over stimulated and needs to settle down. A child bouncing off the walls and crying and yelling isn't having fun, his/her parents aren't having fun, and certainly those around them aren't having fun either.

There is certainly a difference between being and excited and exhuberant child and a child that is crying, yelling and just plain over the edge. I think its the job of the parents to know when their child crosses over from being one to the other and acting appropriately.

True, but not knowing the kids and only seeing them five minutes, you really can't tell if they are too tired and over stimulated or having a "moment" and will be skipping through the park ten minutes later like nothing happened.

My daughter is famous for these violent mood swings. Even I, who have known her five years and am her mother, have a hard time telling when is "too tired" and what is "I'm going to make a fuss now, but will be fine in five minutes."

Moreover, removing them isn't always an option. We've only had two incidents with my daughter. One at Boma. Huge meltdown. Unfortuantely, with the tables close together and a huge crowd, physically carrying a kicking screaming five year old from the back of the restaurant was not a safe option. So we calmed her down at the table. The other time, turns out she had a bad tummyache because she had been too busy to go to the bathroom. Once we realized one the issue was - it was resolved by a trip to the bathroom fifty feet away. Imagine having left the park to discover her fussiness was cause by a need to go potty!