Formal Apology to All

[Lizziejane]

So nice of you to apologize, but totally unnecessary I'm sure. Easy for me to say, I wasn't there!! Seriously, those of us with kids, have been there, done that. They do grow out of it, I promise! You know the ads that claim "the happiest place on earth"? Unfortunately, they never meant "for everyone, all at the same time"! Those who visit know the place is full of kids having meltdowns.

Actually this just reminded me of our last trip to WDW. It wasn't the kids melting down, it was DH! He had a complete breakdown in MGM - the kids were arguing about what to do next (it had been like that all morning) and he just SNAPPED! Ordered everyone to follow him to the car, don't say a word, etc. etc. He took us all back to the hotel, ordered the kids to sit on the bed and discuss, quietly, what they wanted to do next. Then he left to go for a walk for about 20 minutes!! I have never seen my kids so dumb-struck as they were that day. The great thing is, it worked!

 

[vanessat]

I could not possibly remember all the meltdowns, but one that stands out in my memory is when I was travelling with my 2 dds (4 and 2) then on a long-haul flight to Europe, without my husband. My dd4 was asking what the lights above us meant, and I was answering this one for keep seatbelt on, the other one for not smoking. To this, my dd2 (who was in one of those moods), started screaming repeatedly at the top of her lungs: BUT I WANT TO SMOKE! When I started laughing, she started yelling: no laughing! no talking!! This went on for quite a while. I was too embarrassed to look around at other passengers, but I hope some saw the funny side of this.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I understand about the Safari.
2) Things happen and you couldn't get out and walk away.
3) I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE RESTAURANT!
4) You should have removed the child from the eatery.
5) This would have shown respect to those trying to eat peacefully.


NOTE: Kids will be kids. But, it is up to the parents to remove them from the area, when possible, so they do not disturb others. Come courtesy and respect should prevail.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I totally understand. We are going with ds5 and dd2 in November -- I'm a bit worried myself.

Let me tell you what happened last night. My kids generally do pretty good with not throwing the tantrums in public - I don't remember the last time. We were at a minor-league baseball game for a work function. My ds5 never, ever takes naps and goes from morning to night without a problem. Yesterday he was bribed (yes bribed) to take a nap. He slept 2 hours. He was a little whiny mess during the first couple of innings. We talked before we left about how we had already eaten, he was only getting one souvenir (the bribe) and we brought waters with us. During the first inning dh went out and came back with popcorn and pop. DS wanted popcorn -- and not daddy's popcorn -- his own. I took him to the restroom once and talked to him - he dried himself up, washed his face and we head back to the seats. The minute we sat down (with dh between him and myself) he started screaming again. I told dh to take him out, beat his a$$ and buy him the popcorn. Everyone around me cracked up laughing.

 

[alloyd1170]

Im so bad when it comes to stuff like this. Most times when I see it happening, I chuckle. Im not being mean, its just that it reminds me of what Ive already gone through with my 4 yr old, and now with my 1 yr old. It might not be funny when its happening, but when you look back on it youll have some great stories to tell your kids when theyre older, especially when they have their own kids!

alison

 

[properlywarnedyebe]

1) I understand about the Safari.
2) Things happen and you couldn't get out and walk away.
3) I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE RESTAURANT!
4) You should have removed the child from the eatery.
5) This would have shown respect to those trying to eat peacefully.


NOTE: Kids will be kids. But, it is up to the parents to remove them from the area, when possible, so they do not disturb others. Come courtesy and respect should prevail.

I agree, but it's easier said than done. DH and I were stuck, just having ordered our food. DD was getting to the point that anytime we walked into any restaurant, or any line for that matter she started screaming. We would leave ASAP. She would quiet down when she got her way. It wasn't fair to us. We sat down and finally ate after two days of her manipulating us. We swallowed our food in five minutes, but those five minutes were terrible. I will never see any of those people again, they are probably no worse for the wear, but I still felt bad. For all of us.

 

[goofy4tink]

Ahhhh, that was what that noise was...up here in Mass we couldn't figure it out..just heard this screaming, thought someone was getting killed!!!!! Just kidding...it happens you know. I was the one who melted down about 2 years ago. My then 11 y/o knew just what buttons to push, and I went right over the edge. Right there, outside RnRC. Ah well. Such is life.
I wouldn't worry about it one little bit...life happens.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

DD was getting to the point that anytime we walked into any restaurant, or any line for that matter she started screaming. We would leave ASAP. She would quiet down when she got her way.

I agree - by removing her from the restaurant, you would be reinforcing to her that all she had to do was start screaming to get her way.

 

[jjarman]

I honestly don't remember DS, now 16, having too many meltdowns but when he did it was a doozy. This one was when he was 2 (seems to be a pattern here) and we flew back home to my mother's retirement party from work. It was just me and DS. He did fine on the plane, just happy as can be. The ride from the airport, about 2 hours, was fine also. We got to the party where all the family and all of my mother's friends were and he started screaming. He cried the entire party. The only that that would pacify him in the least was sitting on my hip. So I held him for about 4 hours. My brother was not a lot of help at all. He asked my son, "Sam, you want a cold beer?" Well, DS couldn't say his R's at this age so it did sound cute when he whimpered out "I want a cold beer. I want a cold beer." DB loved it.

 

[minkydog]

I used to frown at people whose children acted like that - bad parenting (obviously ). I would give them a dirty look, hoping they would "do" something - until it happened to me, more than once - a very humbing experience. Now of course I look at those parents and think - been there done that

Same here. It's real easy to be judgemental when you haven't been in their shoes. Now I have 3 kids and just about anything goes. It really takes an act of God to get me upset with screaming kids(now screaming parents is another matter entirely.)

Thanks for the apology, OP. As the mom of an autisitc 11yo I believe I've seen a few meltdowns--what can ya do

I say, go with the flow

 

[jordansmomma]

I can totally understand my DS 6 was the perfect ok so not perfect but never went through the terrible 2s or 3s. But let me tell you he is going through the terrible 6s!!! I totally just want to hide under a rock sometimes!! I just walk away and ignore him, because if i do anything else it gets worse and i am not about to give in, even if i am in a public place, the screaming or whining would just get worse. It is worse if he hasnt had enough sleep, but still the same i dont play into his fits. If i just ignore him he stops sooner than if i beg, plead and threaten or act.

But the parents that let their infant or little kid scream in a rated R movie are just rude! ---->

 

[Allensfan]

This has been an interesting post, I have enjoyed reading what people's opinions are.

Sometimes...and please no yelling at me I have had a rough week ...the adults want to go to Disney, or to that great new rest., or to the movie...more than the kids.

When I see a couple dragging a 9 month old around at Disney, in the heat, while they scream and yell...I start to wonder why they are there. The 9 month old is not enjoying it and I guess the parents wanted to go so badly that they did not wait until their child was old enough to go.

I have no clue what the right age is for Disney. I for one wanted a child on their own foot power and one that can sit and eat dinner with out screaming and yelling. I had those times too, and only a bit of age and time will get a child to behave eating out. Forcing them to sit there until they yell, does not make for better manners. Some kids are not comfortable at that age and I would suggest not eating out until they get a bit older. Or go to very kid friendly places where all the kids are yelling.

Disney's magic 'seems' perfectly fit for 2 year olds, but is it really?? Walking in the hot sun, miles and miles, when they can not even take in the sights, let alone remember a fraction of what they saw. My friend's little girl, who went when she was about 28 months old, had a better time at the hotel pool than the 3k her parents dropped so she could see MK. Maybe if they had saved the money and gone when she was older, she would have gotten more out of it.

No matter, each parent has to make their own choices and I am sure that some 24 months old remember all the magic that Disney has to offer. Mine was not ready and I would have felt bad to all the other parents if they had to endure my little man at 24 months.

Hugs to all and please...no yelling

 

[properlywarnedyebe]

This has been an interesting post, I have enjoyed reading what people's opinions are.

Sometimes...and please no yelling at me I have had a rough week ...the adults want to go to Disney, or to that great new rest., or to the movie...more than the kids.


When I see a couple dragging a 9 month old around at Disney, in the heat, while they scream and yell...I start to wonder why they are there. The 9 month old is not enjoying it and I guess the parents wanted to go so badly that they did not wait until their child was old enough to go.

I have no clue what the right age is for Disney. I for one wanted a child on their own foot power and one that can sit and eat dinner with out screaming and yelling. I had those times too, and only a bit of age and time will get a child to behave eating out. Forcing them to sit there until they yell, does not make for better manners. Some kids are not comfortable at that age and I would suggest not eating out until they get a bit older. Or go to very kid friendly places where all the kids are yelling.


Disney's magic 'seems' perfectly fit for 2 year olds, but is it really?? Walking in the hot sun, miles and miles, when they can not even take in the sights, let alone remember a fraction of what they saw. My friend's little girl, who went when she was about 28 months old, had a better time at the hotel pool than the 3k her parents dropped so she could see MK. Maybe if they had saved the money and gone when she was older, she would have gotten more out of it.


No matter, each parent has to make their own choices and I am sure that some 24 months old remember all the magic that Disney has to offer. Mine was not ready and I would have felt bad to all the other parents if they had to endure my little man at 24 months.

Hugs to all and please...no yelling

: \ :

Sometimes...and please no yelling at me I have had a rough week ...the adults want to go to Disney, or to that great new rest., or to the movie...more than the kids.

No yelling just laughing... I guess we are expected to stay in our homes until our children let us leave. Our DD never wants to do anything. How is that fair to us? Since she can't read or write, is she supposed to book the trip for us when she is ready?

When I see a couple dragging a 9 month old around at Disney, in the heat, while they scream and yell...I start to wonder why they are there. The 9 month old is not enjoying it and I guess the parents wanted to go so badly that they did not wait until their child was old enough to go.

This boggles my mind too, but everyone has their reasons. Do you feel the same way about the Senior Citizens in wheelchairs, who can't walk and are legally blind?

I have no clue what the right age is for Disney. I for one wanted a child on their own foot power and one that can sit and eat dinner with out screaming and yelling. I had those times too, and only a bit of age and time will get a child to behave eating out. Forcing them to sit there until they yell, does not make for better manners. Some kids are not comfortable at that age and I would suggest not eating out until they get a bit older. Or go to very kid friendly places where all the kids are yelling.

Yes this is very realistic theory...We went to the most kid friendly place of them all!
Disney's magic 'seems' perfectly fit for 2 year olds, but is it really?? Walking in the hot sun, miles and miles, when they can not even take in the sights, let alone remember a fraction of what they saw. My friend's little girl, who went when she was about 28 months old, had a better time at the hotel pool than the 3k her parents dropped so she could see MK. Maybe if they had saved the money and gone when she was older, she would have gotten more out of it.


Our DD came home and told her Daycare provider everything she saw. She remembers it all. While she loved the pool, she asked me this morning if we were going to EPCOT today!

No matter, each parent has to make their own choices and I am sure that some 24 months old remember all the magic that Disney has to offer. Mine was not ready and I would have felt bad to all the other parents if they had to endure my little man at 24 months.

My Brother, sister and I all remember different things from our early trips, and our parents took us as preschoolers. WE fell in love with Disney World.

I have no doubt our daughter had a blast. She acts the same way at home as she did there. She will outgrow it, we all did. And she will take her own temper-tantrum-throwing-two-year-old to Disney and have a wonderful time
Alicia

 

[Shubunk]

This has been an interesting post, I have enjoyed reading what people's opinions are.

Sometimes...and please no yelling at me I have had a rough week ...the adults want to go to Disney, or to that great new rest., or to the movie...more than the kids.

When I see a couple dragging a 9 month old around at Disney, in the heat, while they scream and yell...I start to wonder why they are there. The 9 month old is not enjoying it and I guess the parents wanted to go so badly that they did not wait until their child was old enough to go.

I have no clue what the right age is for Disney. I for one wanted a child on their own foot power and one that can sit and eat dinner with out screaming and yelling. I had those times too, and only a bit of age and time will get a child to behave eating out. Forcing them to sit there until they yell, does not make for better manners. Some kids are not comfortable at that age and I would suggest not eating out until they get a bit older. Or go to very kid friendly places where all the kids are yelling.

Disney's magic 'seems' perfectly fit for 2 year olds, but is it really?? Walking in the hot sun, miles and miles, when they can not even take in the sights, let alone remember a fraction of what they saw. My friend's little girl, who went when she was about 28 months old, had a better time at the hotel pool than the 3k her parents dropped so she could see MK. Maybe if they had saved the money and gone when she was older, she would have gotten more out of it.

No matter, each parent has to make their own choices and I am sure that some 24 months old remember all the magic that Disney has to offer. Mine was not ready and I would have felt bad to all the other parents if they had to endure my little man at 24 months.

Hugs to all and please...no yelling

I think your right on track!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . She would quiet down when she got her way. It wasn't fair to us. We sat down and finally ate after two days of her manipulating us. We swallowed our food in five minutes, but those five minutes were terrible. I will never see any of those people again, they are probably no worse for the wear, but I still felt bad. For all of us . . .

NOTE: Flame Proof Suit in Place:
It is too bad if you had to eat on the run because of the way YOUR child acted. Maybe one can eat inside while the other parent is outside watching the child. If you want to bring little kids to Disney, that's fine. That is what Disney is all about. But, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure your kids don't inconvenience others. I pay just as much as you for eating, so why should I eat in misery because of your selfishness. It is not bad parenting that allows or causes children to "meltdown" but it IS bad parenting to let them bother others (when there is a way out or away from the area). We have children and grandchildren, and they DO misbehave or "meltdown". But I would NEVER think of letting them bother others if there was a way around it. I guess that is the difference from people of my generation who believe in respect for others, versus current generations that believe all they have to do is worry about themselves.

 

[properlywarnedyebe]

We have children and grandchildren, and they DO misbehave or "meltdown". But I would NEVER think of letting them bother others if there was a way around it. I guess that is the difference from people of my generation who believe in respect for others, versus current generations that believe all they have to do is worry about themselves.[/QUOTE]


How Rusty are you? My Grandparents and my DH's parents are pretty selfish and only worry about themselves. So selfish they never took DH to Disneyworld. They prefer to golf. By themselves. Are we talking Victorian Era?

Yes-I was worrying about myself when I thought I would pass out from hunger. But I was also worrying about my child and my husband. And the strangers around us. It was an on the spot decision and one we regret, ergo the apology. Please don't think you are better or wiser, because I am sure in your golden years you have stepped on a toe, passed gas in public, cut in front of someone, and interuppted a conversation when you thought you were right, all without apology because it is your senior priveledge. Just like our parents and grandparents do. And you were a perfect parent just like them too. Except you were better, because you took your son to Disneyworld.

 

[remmy_7]

OP, I really don't think you apologizing is enough. I don't see why your 2 year old can't write a formal apology to all of us. Maybe you could help her with it.

 

[square pond]

I don't believe there is a parent on this earth who hasn't experienced this in some form or another. Last year in Epcot while making our way around world showcase and through the kidcot stops my 5 year old made the mistake of thinking his brother had more stamps than him on his mask. He refused to believe that they had the same amount just that one of his brothers would not fit on the front so they put it on the back. Even counting would not convince him!! He then decides to sit down in protest right the middle of the walkway and refused to get up! After at least 10 minutes of prodding and cajoling he proceeded to get up and slam his kidcot mask against the iron fencing! Well the mask flew off the stick and my 5 year old started crying hysterically. He sobbed uncontrollably all the way to Italy...which was thank god our last stop!! Where a very nice Italian gentleman asked him what the problem was?? He told the man that his brother had received more stamps then him and his masked was broke. The man took the mask stamped it five times in a row and stapled the head back on!!! You would have thought he had given him an x-box!!! So we head down again in 16 days and if you see a 6 year old sprawled out in the middle Epcot staging a sit in wave and say hi!!!

 

[Buzz & Woody]

Just scream at my kids and dh and tell them that I WON'T leave the Magic Kingdom!
Hey.,...no worries, most of us parents understand. I always think that "it could be worste"

 

[Trini]

It is so nice that you would even think of apologizing, but like everyone else has said - We've all been there!

I have it happen almost on a daily basis Ok, maybe not daily, but pretty often. Kids are kids and people tend to understand. Those that dont, well.. not much you can do about it.

Enjoy your baby, they grow so fast!