Is this normal?

[BigPumba]

Yes, Mexican culture is rich with historical examples of parents ignoring their ill behaved offspring. Pottery has been discovered in Mayan ruins that depict parents hanging out enjoying maize while the kids are running around desecrating a pyramid temple.

Was that why that calendar thing didn't work

 

[Jey12]

OP since you speak spanish I figure you would know what is normal and not normal for the most part in a spanish speaking culture? They used to teach normal cultural behaviors along with the language, I would assume this is still common place.

I am unaware in any culture where children are allowed to climb around on the alter and knock over a candle and potentially burn the church down. I could be wrong but I think trying to burn down a church is frowned upon world wide?

So no running around the alter area and trying to set the place on fire is not a cultural norm that I'm aware of, and neither is bad parenting. Although last time I was at mass, and a first communion as well, 2 red headed toddlers were in the back talking loudly and being rather disruptive. Of course it's known that gingers are soulless so I just assumed that was the reason.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

So no running around the alter area and trying to set the place on fire is not a cultural norm that I'm aware of, and neither is bad parenting. Although last time I was at mass, and a first communion as well, 2 red headed toddlers were in the back talking loudly and being rather disruptive. Of course it's known that gingers are soulless so I just assumed that was the reason.

As a ginger and the mother of two ginger babies, one ginger cat and a ginger guinea pig, I concur.

 

[stargazer2892]

As far as it just being a cultural "thing" or whatever I couldn't tell ya. I do think we have become a socitey of "ME" parents who let their kids run around with out giving two thoughts about the people around them. Forexample I work in a neighbrohood bar that on Thursday night at 6 had 10 out of 12 tables have at least 2 young kids at it. Out of those 10 tables 3 tables the kids where actually sitting there with their parents the rest where running around while the parents ignored them. One little one who couldn't have been more then 4 repeadtly went behind the bar and into the kitchen. We asked the parents to please watch your child before he gets hurt and they got upset and left with out paying because "who are WE to tell THEM how to parent"
It's not just one culture, its everywhere. Also when I was growing up if I EVER ran around Mass I would have been taken to the car and spanked, I can't even wrap my mind around running around Mass.

 

[marthachick]

Of course it's known that gingers are soulless so I just assumed that was the reason.

As the mother of a ginger, I'm insulted!

 

[Jey12]

As a ginger and the mother of two ginger babies, one ginger cat and a ginger guinea pig, I concur.

As the mother of a ginger, I'm insulted!

I promise I was just kidding! Kind of. The gingers in question that day are my goddaughters and to be honest I'm a bit scared of them.

 

[dreamin_disney]

At mass this morning we were having 1st communion celebration. My family was sitting in front of us ant the next 3 pews in front of us were Mexican families. They had toddlers. As father was speaking, the toddlers got up and wondered around. Left their pews and proceeded to run around father. The parents did nothing, did not look at the spouse or even try to corral them. One altar server who is Mexican glared at the mothers, with a look that indicated get up and get YOUR kids. One dad did finally get up and try to get his. When father saw what was going on behind him, he stopped talking and turned to the three families. Spoke to them in Spanish telling them that they needed to take them out of church if they could not control them in the pew, and that there were toys in the church hall.

Then communion time came and father stepped forward to give communion the little kids were at it again, they ran around the altar, grabbed a hold of one of the big candles. The one Altar server got up grabbed one of them and gave her back to her parents.

I've noticed this a lot amongst this culture. When we have home basketball games. the parents sit in the top bleacher and never watch their kids. Our court is very small. so you time you walk along the sides with which way the teams are running. These little kids are sitting on the restraining lines, wondering on and off the court, throwing toys out there. Many times they have tripped at ref who was back peddling. ball players have jumped over them. Again the parents do nothing. it takes another person like the principle, other teachers and fans. to grab them from being trampled and hand them back to their parents. This also happens at school concerts and programs. on all the programs in both English and Spanish it states the all children must remain seated during the game unless with an adult, no running. My kids wait for time out to head to the bathroom or concession stand.

Is this normal for the Mexican culture? Not sure if I should say Hispanic because they refer to themselves as Mexican.

I'm Mexican and I never let my child run around at church or any other places. It not normal to let kids act like that in any race. Everyone has always complimented my daughter on her behavior. Dh and I corrected any bad behavior right away. She learned time out before the age of two. I think society in general has many parents just think its ok for kids to do whatever they want. In many races and familes kids rule because parents dont want to hear their kids whine and cry.
BTW- I've been to parties that the invites say NO KIDS and the people throwing the party will tell me that my dd is more than welcome to come because she's such a great kid and they just dont want the other kids showing up because they run around and dont listen.

 

[marthachick]

I promise I was just kidding! Kind of. The gingers in question that day are my goddaughters and to be honest I'm a bit scared of them.

No problem. Sometimes they ARE scary!

 

[Liberty Belle]

At my church, you might assume straight couples do not make their children mind. We have two families who let their kids get really noisy and move around a lot in our church and they're both straight couples. All the gay couples with children in our church are very good with their children and helping them to behave their best.

There are no hispanics, that I know of, in our church, so I can't give my experience on that. I will say, I used to be a para and taught children who were hispanic and they were no different from white kids, as far as behavior goes.

One thing I have noticed is people with many children probably have more unruly children a lot of the time (definitely not all of the time, but I'd say probably more than average), but I think that's because the parents don't have as much time or energy to devote to each child at one specific time. Again, that's just an observation of mine about some of the families. I'm not saying all large families are comprised of unruly children, at all.

ETA: The noisy kids at church - I try not to let it bother me, but it can be a bit distracting when I'm trying to hear the sermon. I don't think poorly of the kids, or really the parents. I just wish they were a little quieter so I could focus more.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Crud, gingers, straight parents, Anglo...my kids don't stand a chance.

 

[goofyintoronto]

May God have mercy on your post.

Forever & forever, amen!

Amen.

You're going to need a long ladder to get out of that hole you're digging.

Gotta love dissers. Such a great sense of humor.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I guess no one is allowed to ask a question about cultural parenting, and how they parented in their birth country. I am far from racist. I never said all Mexicans let their kid run wild, I just noticed it in the newer families that arrive. I've seen tension between the ones that have been here longer with the newer ones. That probably goes along with any nationality.

I am done with this post. You can think what you want about me. Even though you know nothing about me, or my family. I just asked a question to understand a culture.

Actually, you didn't say that all Mexicans let their kids run wild. You asked if all Mexicans let their kids run wild in mass. Either way you put it, it warrants me saying ay dios mios!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Actually, you didn't say that all Mexicans let their kids run wild. You asked if all Mexicans let their kids run wild in mass. Either way you put it, it warrants me saying ay dios mios!

Speak English! You're in America for crying out loud!!!



TOTALLY joking!!! (Please...seriously do NOT take offense to that.)

 

[Nik's Mom]

Speak English! You're in America for crying out loud!!!



TOTALLY joking!!! (Please...seriously do NOT take offense to that.)

 

[Teacher Princess]

Thank God I'm Bilingual !! Yay !!

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I'm barely onelingual. And is this where I post my dislike of the Swiss?

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

And in other facts that may be uncomfortable for some people to hear but sadly it's true-this board would load a lot faster-esp for me-if we just allowed pics of my kids.

There! Been holding that for half a decade.

 

[mhsjax]

At the risk of being flamed, I will say that during the four years I lived in Chile, I noticed a lot of 'permissive parenting'. We learned never to go to a restaurant on Sunday because it would undoubtedly be filled with kids running around and screaming.

I think that there is much more tolerance in some cultures for what is considered 'normal, childish behaviour'. Other patrons didn't seem to be bothered by the kids running around, and in fact seemed to enjoy the chaotic, 'family-friendly' atmosphere.

I will say that while the smaller children's behaviour often fit my criteria for 'spoilt brats' and made me cringe on a regular basis, somehow these kids turned into VERY well-mannered, respectful adolescents.

this is my thought exactly. I think certain cultures "enjoy" their kids more at a younger age than some of us, (including me). We/I seem to be in a struggle to make sure our kids are very well behaved, other cultures seem to embrace this stage of childhood.

I also have noted from friends in other nationalities, that they are more family oriented, have larger extended families and in general seem to just enjoy the whole family atmosphere to a greater degree than some other cultures, At lest judging by the amount of family at parties and the shear number of parties that they have. Maybe this is what was gong on, fun/joy.

I have no problem with it, I think it is great. Like the poster I quoted, I have seem these little ones grow up to be some of the most well behaved nice young people I have ever met.

That being said, bad and good behavior comes in all sizes and ethnicities.

 

[Teacher Princess]

this is my thought exactly. I think certain cultures "enjoy" their kids more at a younger age than some of us, (including me). We/I seem to be in a struggle to make sure our kids are very well behaved, other cultures seem to embrace this stage of childhood.

I also have noted from friends in other nationalities, that they are more family oriented, have larger extended families and in general seem to just enjoy the whole family atmosphere to a greater degree than some other cultures, At lest judging by the amount of family at parties and the shear number of parties that they have. Maybe this is what was gong on, fun/joy.

I have no problem with it, I think it is great. Like the poster I quoted, I have seem these little ones grow up to be some of the most well behaved nice young people I have ever met.


That being said, bad and good behavior comes in all sizes and ethnicities.

. .

 

[Nik's Mom]

And in other facts that may be uncomfortable for some people to hear but sadly it's true-this board would load a lot faster-esp for me-if we just allowed pics of my kids.

There! Been holding that for half a decade.

And they are gorgeous kids.