You are just witnessing what our society has become, only in megadoses. Sorry to say that parenting skills have become a thing of the past. Its easier to make excuses than to put the effort in to discipline. And if I get flames about this, so be it. I am a mother of 3 boys, all with different personalities, and NEVER have they acted like the children of today. But don't blame the kids, its the lazy parents who are to blame. Go at other times of the year if you can, when school is in session. It is definitely a different Disney world! Anymore, I speak up when a rude child or adult makes a scene. They don't care about you, its about time we remind them that we're not puttin up with it!![]()
I agree with your comment about society, but I have to say it is more difficult even for well-intentioned parents to raise well-behaved children nowadays. I raised 4 kids (11 years as a single parent) close in age (they range from 30 to 26). I could take those kids to ANY restaurant and I would often get compliments on how well-behaved they were. We are now raising a DGS, and I am ashamed to say I hate going out to eat because I never know if I will be embarrassed - if we take two or more of the grands, I am pretty sure we WILL be embarrassed before the end of the meal. My parenting is still considered "conservative" by many yet I have moderated it from when raising my kids, but at least years ago as parents we were allowed to make mistakes with our kids - and then (hopefully) learn from them. These days, everyone is watching and has a "better idea" of how to raise a child, and most have no problem pointing out your mistakes, no matter how small (or how wrong they are!). The result seems to be an over-indulgence of youth rather than expectations of accountability and/or responsibility of actions.
Plus, I don't know if it is the influence of "kid's meals" that include a toy, or a more indulgent society, slower meal service or something else, but I have noticed that many parents bring "entertainment" along to get through a meal anywhere other than a fast food establishment. I am recently guilty of it myself, although I can only imagine my reaction had any of my children needed such a "distraction" back then!
Ahh, maybe I'm just getting "soft" in my old age, but it sure seems to be a different world raising kids today.