Enjoyed the Cruise - Disappointed in Parents!!!!

[ClarabelleCow]

This was our second trip on the Wonder, still enjoyed it, even though it was so short. But I was really disappointed in what seems to be a growing trend in parents!! Basically to Not Parent!

Between the kids that should be in diapers not in diapers and the kids in swim diapers that were all over the pools, I just don't get it. I even had a nice chat with a Grandma who wasn't happy that her son was allowing his son to go in the goofy pool when with him, no diapers and not potty trained. Then there was the dad whose cute "little" boy was constantly holding himself and wiggling around, he would ask if he had to go and of course the boy said no, and then just let him in the hottub!! Take the little guy to the bathroom and try!!!!! Then there was the cute little baby crawling around the goofy deck with a diaper ready to fall apart, he was actually talked to by another guest, but claimed the diaper was only wet, but when he picked up his daughter he held her out like yesterdays garbage!!!

then we have the bigger kids that cannonball the goofypool to no end, no parents around when it specifically says NO JUMPING! it was dangerous, I was sitting on the edge and pulled my kids out (ages 5&6), because there were so many kids in the pool someone was going to get hurt.

Now I am all for a good time, and I know kids will be kids! but when things become dangerous I get upset. Why aren't parents following rules and controling their kids. I know this is the minority, but in such a small controlled environment, it is really disturbing! All it takes is one or two bad apples to ruin a good time.

I know they don't have "lifeguards" on the ship, and they do have one person watching the slide on the Mickey Pool. But why don't they have "enforcers" more to police the pools so that no one gets hurt, and the day isn't ruined by others. It shouldn't be up to the other guests to make the area safe, who really wants to confront someone on vacation!

Now my other pet peeves, why bring a screaming shild to Scuttles Cove and and drop them off, what makes a parent think the counselors can control your child if you can't!!! I was really surprised the counselors would even take a child crying as bad as this one was. My point is the time it takes for that one counselor to calm down that child its taking away from others, its one thing if they get upset while in the camp, but before they even get there!!!

And to end my griping, please don't bring your crying baby into the shows and tell all around you that they will quiet down once it starts! We had a baby crying his head off, then finally Dad took baby away to flounders, then when Dad came back, they bickered about why the baby was brought in in the first place!!! This is all fine and dandy, and I am sure all of us has been in this type of circumstance. But if you have what you already know is an upset baby, don't sit in the middle of a row, way up front, sit in the back where less will be disturbed! Again I know kids can change moment to moment, but if before the show even starts, think about those around you!

Sorry for sounding so cranky, but it really bothered me the amount of "lack of respect" I witnessed during this trip!

 

[Tooth Fairy]

What are people thinking? I think it is a trend with younger parents to allow behavior that we(over 40) will not! How can you expect children to follow the rules if the parents are not?

We are fortunate that our twins are now old enough to easily move to another activity if disruptive behavior is not being dealt with!

It will not ruin my trip!!!

 

[mmouse37]

We also have seen parents not supervising their kids...but not just on the cruise...we see it all over, in stores in the mall (parent is paying and kids are hiding under all the racks or running through the stores), at restaurants where kids are never in their seats. I know it is hard being a parent but many parents give kids way too much leeway....ever see Super Nanny!!!!

Even my kids who thank goodness are older now at 21, 19 and 16, can't believe the parents they enounter in their daily lives....

My DD16 works at a kids party place....she often comes home with stories of how parents let their kids get away with things like talking back to the parents, or hitting, or using bad language.....if a 16 year old can notice bad parenting, how come adults can't see it in themselves....

I have made my share of mistakes as a parent and am far being a perfect one, but the things I enounter I would never have let my kids get away with.


MJ

 

[bratray]

it really is a shame that folks don't have more consideration for others around them- i am not one to confront others but when it comes to my childs safety i cannot hold my tongue- i remember when at the hard rock hotel at universal studios there was a large group of unruley teens that repeatedly jumped in the pool- sometimes jumping over little ones- someone could have been badly hurt, well, much to my DH dismay i got out of the pool and walked over to the group and asked them if they could please stop before they hurt someone- they were none to pleased with me but they did stop

sorry that such inconsiderate people put a damper on your vacation, all it takes is one bad apple to spoil it for everyone

 

[ambushangel]

Being a mother in her 30's, I feel that behavior like that is not tolerable. I have been given compliments from others people in places such as resturants and such on how well behaved my son is. As he is 9 now, he still continues to behave in such a way that I know that I would be proud.

I have no worries that his behavior will be exactly the same when we cruise in March.

 

[Macnjac87]

Clarabelle-
Thanks for such an honest post. It is upsetting to watch this behavior- my kids are appalled by some of the stuff going on. Also, the crying baby thing- the counselors should never have let the parents leave the child there! I personally would not be able to leave if my child was upset and did not want to stay. Period. ARRRGGGH !!
We will be cruising our first Disney Cruise in April. We've cruised with RCCL and Carnival and the pools weren't too bad. The one thing I really hated tho was when the hot tubs were filled with kids, kicking, spashing, etc. In and out 30 times. They made it so I didn't even want to go in there- and that's one of my favorite things to do on a cruise! I am very excited about the adult hot tubs on the Wonder. That's where I'll be !! lol!

 

[CruisingCA2005]

What are people thinking? I think it is a trend with younger parents to allow behavior that we(over 40) will not!

Please don't make the assumption that it is only younger parents who allow their children to misbehave in public. Non-parenting can be an issue with parents of all ages.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

What are people thinking? I think it is a trend with younger parents to allow behavior that we(over 40) will not! How can you expect children to follow the rules if the parents are not?

We are fortunate that our twins are now old enough to easily move to another activity if disruptive behavior is not being dealt with!

It will not ruin my trip!!!

I beg to differ. There are many of us "younger" parents who are just as capable of setting proper guidelines for our children as the "over 40" set is.

 

[rejobako]

I beg to differ. There are many of us "younger" parents who are just as capable of setting proper guidelines for our children as the "over 40" set is.

And if my daughters' grandparents are typical, then there are plenty of people over 40 who let kids get away with murder and think it's cute.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Please - don't let this thread turn into a whose a better parent thing!!! I don't think age matters, I am of the 35+ but not quite 40! group. And based on my observations (yup, i am a people watcher - as you can probably tell by my list of peeves!!), there really wasn't any age group of parents not minding their kids or allowing their kids to break the rules!!

Was my trip ruined no, but it sure did make it uncomfortable. Sometimes that old saying "Rules are Meant to be Broken"!!! doesn't always apply in certain circumstances!

 

[logan1_2000]

My parents had to walk in the snow, 10 miles, uphill, both ways, and so when they beat up with a belt it must have been the right thing to do, so I am proud to do my parenting the old fashioned way...seriously, good parents and bad parents all come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. As do their bad kids. I see all too much of it as a Family Law practitioner every day. And since we are not seeing people in their typical environment when we are on DCL, we can't even be sure that we are seeing typical behavior from all of these folks, can we? Perhaps at home they do things they don't want to bother with on vacation. Who knows.

I agree that anywhere, home, vacation, etc., it is the parents responsiblity to know when their child melts down that they need to get the child out of there for everyone else's sake. I'm lucky, my DS inherited his mother's terrific manners and behavior and he has always been a favorite of teachers, other parents, and so on. Good thing too, since that general reputation convinced me not to beat him for playing ball in the house yesterday and smashing the glass in a picture frame. Does that make me a bad parent? I dunno.

I do know that I have sat out things at home and on vacation when it was clear that my son was in no condition to make it through a show or other event on good behavior, often because of being over tired. Which can happen on a Disney cruise.

 

[rejobako]

Please - don't let this thread turn into a whose a better parent thing!!! I don't think age matters, I am of the 35+ but not quite 40! group. And based on my observations (yup, i am a people watcher - as you can probably tell by my list of peeves!!), there really wasn't any age group of parents not minding their kids or allowing their kids to break the rules!!

Clarabelle: my post was meant to be tongue-in-cheek -- however, I think the reason people may have construed your post as a comment on younger parents is the observation in your first paragraph that this is "a growing trend in parents", which kind of implies that newer (i.e. younger) parents are more culpable.

I both agree with you, and disagree. I'm constantly amazed at how much disparity there is in parental styles, and I lament the fact that so many parents seem disinterested in trying to teach their children to be respectful of others -- but I disagree that this is part of a trend. Sad to say, I think there have always been plenty of people who could use some training in parental technique. I just think you're likely to see far more of them on a Disney cruise, simply because unruly kids tend to stand out, and where are you going to find more kids/parents than on a Disney boat?

 

[webray]

A lack of parenting isn't only on the ships, it seems to be everywhere these days. Kids gone wild. Drives me crazy.

 

[cwf1028]

I have to say I was with everyone until the "younger" parents comment. Bad parents come in all different shapes and sizes and I for one know that the two "older" parents of my preschool kids are the worst in the group. Their kids are out of control and they allow them to walk all over them. It is not an age thing. I feel it is more a problem with society in general. Too many parents, young an old, seem to have issues with controlling their kids, either out of laziness or a need to "foster" their child's freedom. I guess I am old school (not old in age I'm 34), I live by the philosophy "you love your children, but it is your job to raise them so that other people will love them too". I think everyday about the lessons my children need to learn to become responsible adults. We have fun, but not at the expense of others. I would not want my children to grow up and think that such behavior is appropriate.

 

[Tooth Fairy]

That didn't come out right !!! Sorry, I agree it is not age specific!!!!!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

sorry if my post was mis-construed, I wasn't pointing to any age group. I don't really want to get into a debate here, it was just my observations. I travel probably on personal vacations 5 weeks a year as a family and maybe 4 nights a year just myself and husband. So everything I witnessed on the ship, I have seen elsewhere, that why I said a "trend"! Just my own personal observations.

 

[rejobako]

Fair enough --- sorry if my responses sounded confrontational -- that was not my intent.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

That didn't come out right !!! Sorry, I agree it is not age specific!!!!!

Apology accepted and appreciated!

 

[Tooth Fairy]

I, too, married a Prince Eric! Isn't life grand living as a Princess?

Take care!

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I, too, married a Prince Eric! Isn't life grand living as a Princess?

Indeed it is!

But I keep trying to convince DH that the REAL Prince Eric wouldn't expect Ariel to do housework, do the grocery shopping, pay the bills...so far, he hasn't agreed!