I saw the World's worst parents at MGM!!!

[DisneyPhD]

the whole parade that day was a surreal experience - we needed some down time so we sat down about 1/2 hour before the parade and there was NO ONE else in the area - DH and I sat on the line and our kids were next to us -

About 6 little ones ended up behind us - one of them hit me and told me to move I was in his way I did not feel it was my place to tell him that it was rude to hit me and that I was there first - I was sitting so I told him if he stood up he could see - maybe I should have moved but I sat there for the 1/2 an hour and his parents shoved him up there two minutes before the parade - when he stood up - his mom yelled at him to sit down - he pushed and hit me and DH through the whole parade!! I like to sit down next to my kids during the parade so we can laugh together and enjoy the parade as a family - and I get there early enough to make sure my kids and I have enough room - the parents who feel they can walk up in the last two minutes and then I should give up my spot for their child never cease to amaze me!

I hate that, I am a magnent for kids that kick the back of the chair and have parents who ignore it. There wasn't even a chair between you here. It sometimes seems you are better off picking your sets after it is full so you can choose who to sit next to (or not) because when you get there early and get a great seat, someone is bound to comealong last min and squezz in nex to you and be a total pain in the rear.

It seems to me that you either meet the nicest people at WDW, or the very worst! So much of the trip we mee the nicest, but others stand out in our memories for ruining it for others. Too bad really.

Once while waiting for the Epcot parade (this was a while ago.) I finally got through to a non american famiy who were smoking that they had to leave to smoke (they were pretending to not understand me at 1st.) When they finally got up the whole crowd around them cheered.

 

[madgomez]

I have to wonder the point of posting this story- why do so many people have the need to judge everyone else? I am not defending these parents, but I will not condemning them either, as I have not lived their lives, walked in their shoes, not been inside their heads. None of us know why they did what they did, and we never will - so why the need to discuss it?

Please folks, there is so much interesting stuff about Disney, so much useful info to be shared, etc. Can't we leave this stuff to the behavioral psychologists?

 

[rosiejo]

Blimey I'm not sure what's worse the mother blocking the view (and related language) or you being treated like a punch bag. Some people really need to learn how to discipline their children.

It's a pity that we all save up so much, and plan the trip to the last detail in anticipation of a magical time at the World and then have to witness such awful behaviour... put it down to heat, tiredness, being too long in each other's pockets etc but it's uncalled for.

 

[tiedye602]

This makes me so sad. It makes me smile to look at our parade pictures because I was so careful to make sure my DD's were in front of me and DH so they could see the parade, that my DD's waving hand was in all the pictures of the characters passing by!!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Hi!

I'm glad I have not witnessed anything like that...anywhere! I am so sensitive when it deals with kids in general and if I see something going on, it really pulls at my heart strings. Makes me want to confront these parents and knock some sense into them...ugh! Hopefully they were just having a bad moment and it all turned around for them

I just wanted to say what cute kids you have!!

 

[leighe]

the whole parade that day was a surreal experience - we needed some down time so we sat down about 1/2 hour before the parade and there was NO ONE else in the area - DH and I sat on the line and our kids were next to us -

About 6 little ones ended up behind us - one of them hit me and told me to move I was in his way I did not feel it was my place to tell him that it was rude to hit me and that I was there first - I was sitting so I told him if he stood up he could see - maybe I should have moved but I sat there for the 1/2 an hour and his parents shoved him up there two minutes before the parade - when he stood up - his mom yelled at him to sit down - he pushed and hit me and DH through the whole parade!! I like to sit down next to my kids during the parade so we can laugh together and enjoy the parade as a family - and I get there early enough to make sure my kids and I have enough room - the parents who feel they can walk up in the last two minutes and then I should give up my spot for their child never cease to amaze me!

That is so annoying. Last time we were at MK we had been waiting for Spectro for about an hour (with a lot of other people) and about 10 minutes before the parade started a woman came up with her kids and tried to move people off of the curb to let her kids sit down. When no one would move she got all huffy and kept saying things like, "I can't imagine why you would want to see the parade - after all you are only six and eight" in a sarcastic voice. She then instructed her kids to squeeze in right behind the people sitting next to us and said in a really loud voice, "I really hope you don't kick the big grown-ups sitting in front of you - I mean, you are only six and eight - you aren't really old enough to know better."

 

[lark]

I have to wonder the point of posting this story- why do so many people have the need to judge everyone else? I am not defending these parents, but I will not condemning them either, as I have not lived their lives, walked in their shoes, not been inside their heads. None of us know why they did what they did, and we never will - so why the need to discuss it?

Please folks, there is so much interesting stuff about Disney, so much useful info to be shared, etc. Can't we leave this stuff to the behavioral psychologists?

Oh my gosh! The post I always wanted to make when I see these threads but never have had the guts to make.

In a word: Bingo.

 

[Ride Junkie]

It's nice to know we're not the only ones this happens to. That's why I appreciate these types of posts.

During the final season of Disneyland's Main Street Electrical Parade (before they brought it back to DCA), my sister and I got a good spot on the curb along the parade route about an hour before it started. You guessed it - about 5 minutes before it was about to start, a group of people plopped down right in front of us. Luckily, a CM was standing nearby and told them that they couldn't sit there, that we were the first row. We got lucky & had a perfect view.

As far as the parents making the video a bigger priority than their kids enjoying the parade - maybe next time they should leave the kids at home, so as not to spoil their Disney fun. (Ha, ha.)

 

[back2disney]

OMG YES!!! I have worked in retail for almost 20 years.... and it just continues to get worse! The kids see behavior like this from their parents, then they take it just one step further.... because they can get away with it....

Yep, just last month a 5/6 year old boy gave us the finger from the backseat of his lexus suv on the way to the circus while the policeman was directing traffic at the crosswalk

 

[tlbwriter]

I have to wonder the point of posting this story- why do so many people have the need to judge everyone else? I am not defending these parents, but I will not condemning them either, as I have not lived their lives, walked in their shoes, not been inside their heads. None of us know why they did what they did, and we never will - so why the need to discuss it?

You're right. I'm sure there are several perfectly valid reasons for a father to yell at his 6-yr-old son to "shut your hole." No reason at all for anyone to be shocked or want to talk about it.

 

[Jennasis]

Nope...I saw the worst parents at Epcot! It was EMH and around 10:30pm. Mom and Dad were walking past HISTA dragging DD4 (she looked about 4) by the hand. DD had tears streaming down her face, but wasn't crying...she was just silently weeping. She pleaded to her mom "but mommy I'm SO tired..." in this pathetic croaking little voice. To which her mom imparted this gem of motherly love "now Susie, part of learning to be a grown up is learning how to stay up late."

What the fuh?

 

[isyt]

Phew, I thought thiis thread was about my dh and I dragging our crying , screaming kids on Kali last week. I apologize now if anyone saw that display!!!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

I have to wonder the point of posting this story- why do so many people have the need to judge everyone else? I am not defending these parents, but I will not condemning them either, as I have not lived their lives, walked in their shoes, not been inside their heads. None of us know why they did what they did, and we never will - so why the need to discuss it?

Please folks, there is so much interesting stuff about Disney, so much useful info to be shared, etc. Can't we leave this stuff to the behavioral psychologists?

out of curiosity - why did you open the thread then? You are certainly entitled to feel that this is an inappropriate thread but I am just explaining why I posted it for you and wondering why when this type of thread bothers you that you would open it

my point was to discuss how some people seem to get so wrapped up in getting the perfect photo or video or having the perfect moment that they seem to forget that they should be having fun and enjoying the moment with their kids not going for the perfect memory and in the process ruin it

I was baffled by the behavior - everyone around us was horrified - I started my post by saying I know I don't know the WHOLE story but I just can't imagine doing this or treating my child this way - NEVER and I mean NEVER will the words "shut your hole" come out of my mouth while talking to my children

I also contribute quite a bit in informational threads about Disney

 

[skbasnett]

out of curiosity - why did you open the thread then? You are certainly entitled to feel that this is an inappropriate thread but I am just explaining why I posted it for you and wondering why when this type of thread bothers you that you would open it

my point was to discuss how some people seem to get so wrapped up in getting the perfect photo or video or having the perfect moment that they seem to forget that they should be having fun and enjoying the moment with their kids not going for the perfect memory and in the process ruin it

I was baffled by the behavior - everyone around us was horrified - I started my post by saying I know I don't know the WHOLE story but I just can't imagine doing this or treating my child this way - NEVER and I mean NEVER will the words "shut your hole" come out of my mouth while talking to my children

I also contribute quite a bit in informational threads about Disney

Dont even worry about others criticizing your post. I think it is interesting to read up on what other types of people we have all come across in the "Happiest Place". I LOVE Disney but I think a good amount of parents go there for themselves and they could care less if their kids have a good time. I know this first hand seeing as last month when we went our neighbors who came with us were just horrible to their kids. It happens and it is just terrible that it does. I really do hope they read this and maybe have a dose of reality. When we were there last month and one of our neighbors kids was misbehaving, another mom was watching the spectacle and told her son "You are acting just like that boy is," To be honest I found it hysterical because no matter what we tried our idiotic neighbors had no idea how out of control they were letting their kids be. They got very mad that a comment was made, but DH and I did not disagree with her. We ditched them soon after because we couldnt handle the screaming anymore.

 

[KMH1]

out of curiosity - why did you open the thread then? You are certainly entitled to feel that this is an inappropriate thread but I am just explaining why I posted it for you and wondering why when this type of thread bothers you that you would open it

my point was to discuss how some people seem to get so wrapped up in getting the perfect photo or video or having the perfect moment that they seem to forget that they should be having fun and enjoying the moment with their kids not going for the perfect memory and in the process ruin it

I was baffled by the behavior - everyone around us was horrified - I started my post by saying I know I don't know the WHOLE story but I just can't imagine doing this or treating my child this way - NEVER and I mean NEVER will the words "shut your hole" come out of my mouth while talking to my children

I also contribute quite a bit in informational threads about Disney

I opened this thread, because I'm your stalker.

 

[nick262]

out of curiosity - why did you open the thread then? You are certainly entitled to feel that this is an inappropriate thread but I am just explaining why I posted it for you and wondering why when this type of thread bothers you that you would open it

Well Said!!!!!! No one forced you to read this thread or this board for that matter.

As for the parents behavior, I was very disgusted. I would never speak to my daughter that way. Even if there were other circumstances for the situation, that is not an excuse to vebally abuse another human being let alone your own child.

 

[lark]

out of curiosity - why did you open the thread then? You are certainly entitled to feel that this is an inappropriate thread but I am just explaining why I posted it for you and wondering why when this type of thread bothers you that you would open it

my point was to discuss how some people seem to get so wrapped up in getting the perfect photo or video or having the perfect moment that they seem to forget that they should be having fun and enjoying the moment with their kids not going for the perfect memory and in the process ruin it

I was baffled by the behavior - everyone around us was horrified - I started my post by saying I know I don't know the WHOLE story but I just can't imagine doing this or treating my child this way - NEVER and I mean NEVER will the words "shut your hole" come out of my mouth while talking to my children

I also contribute quite a bit in informational threads about Disney

Since I was supportive of the poster's criticism of the thread, I guess I'll just take a minute for the record to explain my position, to avoid unintended feather ruffling. (Not that this won't ruffle feathers, but at least I should explain my reaction.)

I actually didn't think the original post was that problematic, it's more these threads in general and the gratuitous implication of it all as they pick up steam. Maybe this is going to anger people, but to call it like I see it, what these threads virtually always turn into is a great deal of implicit, and maybe even unintentional, self-congratulatory back patting about what great parents WE all are. I know that's going to draw some ire, but just think about it for a minute before you yell at me.

Also, the use of a snapshot in time for one particular family or one particular incident to launch that sort back-patting is, IMHO and with great respect to everyone who takes great pride in their parenting skills as many of you probably justifiably do, just way too judgmental for my tastes. I respectfully submit that there is not a one of us who would fare very well if a neutral observer saw us in our worst parenting moments. Maybe some would, but the reality is that parenting is a tough gig.

Is there reason to believe that someone who yells, "shut your pie hole" and ruins a parade for a 6 year old is just having a bad moment? Probably not, but maybe. Anyway, that's not really my point.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Since I was supportive of the poster's criticism of the thread, I guess I'll just take a minute for the record to explain my position, to avoid unintended feather ruffling. (Not that this won't ruffle feathers, but at least I should explain my reaction.)

I actually didn't think the original post was that problematic, it's more these threads in general and the gratuitous implication of it all as they pick up steam. Maybe this is going to anger people, but to call it like I see it, what these threads virtually always turn into is a great deal of implicit, and maybe even unintentional, self-congratulatory back patting about what great parents WE all are. I know that's going to draw some ire, but just think about it for a minute before you yell at me.

Also, the use of a snapshot in time for one particular family or one particular incident to launch that sort back-patting is, IMHO and with great respect to everyone who takes great pride in their parenting skills as many of you probably justifiably do, just way too judgmental for my tastes. I respectfully submit that there is not a one of us who would fare very well if a neutral observer saw us in our worst parenting moments. Maybe some would, but the reality is that parenting is a tough gig.

Is there reason to believe that someone who yells, "shut your pie hole" and ruins a parade for a 6 year old is just having a bad moment? Probably not, but maybe. Anyway, that's not really my point.

I don't think that anyone on here seemed to be patting themselves on the back - just commenting on the story - I would discuss this in everyday conversation with people - and certainly on a board where other people would appreciate the story

I try not to pass judgement and I always try to see the other side - but in this one I just couldn't - if saying that I would never tell my child to shut his hole is "self-congratulatory back patting about what great parents WE all are"

well then - I am doing it!!!

 

[KathylovesPooh]

I can handle rude folks (don't like it - but I can tolerate it). Parents like this, on the other hand, I have no patience for. I don't expect parents to be wonderful and happy all the time. We've all lost patience with our kids, as our parents did with us. This type of behavior is just beyond that - we can all see it. And it breaks my heart.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I think these threads are important because children rely on adults to protect them from abuse. And this was abusive. If we see these things happening to children and nobody ever says or does anything, then the parents think it is okay and the children keep right on suffering. If we say "well, I won't comment on this because I'm not a perfect parent either and perhaps those parents had a good reason for their behaviour" then it doesn't improve. Yes, we all make mistakes and have bad days - but we need to call each other on it when we are doing things that hurt children.

I know that this thread doesn't help the children in the original post. But notice how when one of the OP's family made a comment, the mother taking the video did move a bit so the son could see at least a little. Her comment didn't solve it, but it did have some effect.

And when I read these threads, my hope is that it gives us courage. Next time we see something like this, we'll feel supported by "our DISboard friends" in their agreement that these things are wrong. And maybe that will encourage us to speak up - not in a hostile way, but in a way that will help the parents and protect the children. Offer a suggestion, encourage the child, share your own experience (if you can mention being in a similar situation and how you dealt with it).

Research with abused children says that often it is those little supportive comments from other adults - often strangers - that kept them going and helped them to understand that what was being said and done to them was wrong and that it wasn't their fault.

That's my perspective, anyway.

Teresa