Screaming baby vent

[KAMLEM]

This morning I went to an Honors Breakfast at my daughter’s middle school. It was for students and parents of students who have been on the honor roll all year. There was a continental breakfast in the cafeteria then an awards presentation in the gym.

The awards presentation lasted about 45 minutes, and for the entire time the baby at the end of my row screamed and cried. Everyone was frustrated, people kept turning and looking at the mother but nobody said anything. It was very distracting and it ruined the presentation. I understand that she wanted to see her child’s name called, but I don’t think it was fair that everyone else had to hear the baby crying. We had a hard time hearing the names because of it. I left there with a headache that still hasn't gone away.

I wish I had said something, but I’m very non-confrontational and I just couldn’t do it.

 

[shortyK]

This morning I went to an Honors Breakfast at my daughter’s middle school. It was for students and parents of students who have been on the honor roll all year. There was a continental breakfast in the cafeteria then an awards presentation in the gym.

The awards presentation lasted about 45 minutes, and for the entire time the baby at the end of my row screamed and cried. Everyone was frustrated, people kept turning and looking at the mother but nobody said anything. It was very distracting and it ruined the presentation. I understand that she wanted to see her child’s name called, but I don’t think it was fair that everyone else had to hear the baby crying. We had a hard time hearing the names because of it. I left there with a headache that still hasn't gone away.

I wish I had said something, but I’m very non-confrontational and I just couldn’t do it.

I feel your frustration, but probably wouldn't have done any good to say anything to her anyway...hope your child enjoyed her special time though

 

[Robinrs]

Screaming babies naturally upset women and I find it one of the worse sounds to deal with. I think it is so rude for people to allow a screaming child to take over an experience, it takes no time to spirit the baby off and find out what's the problem. Maybe she's sleepy, maybe she's wet, maybe she's hungry... FIND OUT and take care of it.

 

[MichelleVW]

Ugh...I can't stand that...

When my DD was 17 months old we were at my cousins wedding and she started to fuss, DH instantly took her out so as not to disturb the wedding. It's so rude of people to stay in something like that with a screaming child.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Wow, that's completely rude and selfish. She should have taken the child out of the room to calm him down, if possible.

 

[jbmom]

It is very rude and inconsiderate. When we went to see the new Indiana Jones movie there was a baby that started crying and she just sat there with him until the management asked her to take him out. She then left her 3-4 year old sitting alone in the theater. When my boys were babies/toddlers I paid a babysitter to watch them so we could go out, I would never bring them to a PG13 movie at that age.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

It is very rude and inconsiderate. When we went to see the new Indiana Jones movie there was a baby that started crying and she just sat there with him until the management asked her to take him out. She then left her 3-4 year old sitting alone in the theater. When my boys were babies/toddlers I paid a babysitter to watch them so we could go out, I would never bring them to a PG13 movie at that age.

There goes my mother of the year award! Our kids will definetly be seeing Indiana Jones. They want to see it. I could care less about it. However the second they get the slightest bit fussy we will leave. We are lucky though as they like to sit for the movies because it is a treat.

OP- sorry you had to deal with that. I would have taken my child out.

 

[paintnolish]

As a mom, I KNOW babies scream and cry sometimes. It is so frustrating when the parent doesn't even try to calm them, though. We were at a restaurant recently, and they just let the baby sit and shriek and cry in her highchair while they ate. People were giving them dirty looks, but they kept on eating!

 

[Robinrs]

Speaking of screaming babies in movies...

The best story I have about that was in New York during a major screening of a new movie. A baby was obviously restless and after awhile was screaming to the top of her lungs. This kept on and on until some poor man picked the child up and took the baby out. The entire audience CHEERED!!

It was hySTERical!! The poor guy left with is head down to the loud jeers and cheers of the crowd...and the inevitable NY remarks ... "it's about dang time" ... and DON'T come back.... getOUTTAhere!!

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

I see both sides. I too get aggravated when there is a crying or screaming child in a place that they should be taken out (the aforementioned situation or church for example). However, what if this lady was a single mom and if she left she would have missed her other child's honor? She was in a tough spot if that was the case.

As for restaraunts...when my boys were young, we often took them out and stayed when they got fussy. How else are they going to learn that they don't always get what they want? If they are "fussy" and you just jerk them up and leave, they get exactly what they wanted. I taught my children that just because they were finished and ready to leave, did not mean everyone was and they had to sit and wait for the rest of us. If they got uncontrolable they were taken to the restroom and punished (age appropriately) and then brought back to the table. My boys are now 6 and are VERY well behaved in public. You have to teach children how to behave in these situations and if you never take them anywhere, they won't learn.

**Of course we never took them to "fancy" places...and still don't. Our rule of thumb has always been if it has a kid's menu with crayons, it's for us!**

 

[MichelleVW]

I see both sides. I too get aggravated when there is a crying or screaming child in a place that they should be taken out (the aforementioned situation or church for example). However, what if this lady was a single mom and if she left she would have missed her other child's honor? She was in a tough spot if that was the case.

A babysitter would have been a good idea. Honestly, I had young kids at one time and took them plenty of places, but it's not fair to others around to have to listening to screaming at a school function like that.

 

[paintnolish]

Fussy is one thing, and I am sure you were attempting to calm them, right? I have two children, and I understand not wanting to take them out. That being said, I don't really think you should "teach them a lesson" at the expense of every other person in the place!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

A babysitter would have been a good idea. Honestly, I had young kids at one time and took them plenty of places, but it's not fair to others around to have to listening to screaming at a school function like that.

A babysitter is not always an option. I do agree though that the Mom should have removed the baby from the area. A lot of times if you just stand up and go to the back by the doors the baby will stop crying and you can watch the ceremony without disturbing anyone.

 

[TruBlu]

A babysitter would have been a good idea. .

A baby on the second row of the church screamed thru my cousin's entire wedding. It is very rude!

Did she at least try to walk around with the baby or do anything to sooth it?

 

[TruBlu]

I would never bring them to a PG13 movie at that age.

My 9 year old is mad because I wont let him see it.

 

[KAMLEM]

I see both sides. I too get aggravated when there is a crying or screaming child in a place that they should be taken out (the aforementioned situation or church for example). However, what if this lady was a single mom and if she left she would have missed her other child's honor? She was in a tough spot if that was the case.

Then that's the sacrifice she makes if she doesn't want to get a babysitter. Everyone around her had to suffer just so she could see her kid. What makes him more important than the others? I still have a headache so I have no sympathy.

As far as kids in movie theatres, that's just wrong. You pay so much to see a movie now, if they are disruptive they need to go.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Then that's the sacrifice she makes if she doesn't want to get a babysitter. Everyone around her had to suffer just so she could see her kid. What makes him more important than the others? I still have a headache so I have no sympathy.

As far as kids in movie theatres, that's just wrong. You pay so much to see a movie now, if they are disruptive they need to go.

While I agree with you about the ceremony I do not agree with you about the movies. If my kids can sit quietly and watch a movie then there is nothing wrong about it at all. I pay for them to go so I know how expensive it is. If my children are even the slightest bit disruptive movie time is over. To be honest we have encountered more loud obnoxious adults in the movies than kids. Pretty sad when a 4 year olds whispers asking you why the adults won't be quiet or turn their phone off.

 

[minniecarousel]

I see both sides. I too get aggravated when there is a crying or screaming child in a place that they should be taken out (the aforementioned situation or church for example). However, what if this lady was a single mom and if she left she would have missed her other child's honor? She was in a tough spot if that was the case.

As for restaraunts...when my boys were young, we often took them out and stayed when they got fussy. How else are they going to learn that they don't always get what they want? If they are "fussy" and you just jerk them up and leave, they get exactly what they wanted. I taught my children that just because they were finished and ready to leave, did not mean everyone was and they had to sit and wait for the rest of us. If they got uncontrolable they were taken to the restroom and punished (age appropriately) and then brought back to the table. My boys are now 6 and are VERY well behaved in public. You have to teach children how to behave in these situations and if you never take them anywhere, they won't learn.

**Of course we never took them to "fancy" places...and still don't. Our rule of thumb has always been if it has a kid's menu with crayons, it's for us!**

wow - me,me,me. So, she should stay in her seat with a shrieking child just to see her child get an award. Too bad, you other people can't hear your child's name being called. Nope - it's wrong in my book.

Yes, kids need to learn to behave in restaurants. I like the crayon = we eat here attitude!

 

[jbmom]

My 9 year old is mad because I wont let him see it.

My 9 and 6 year olds are upset that we won't let them see it either. Dh and I went to see it first to see if we thought it would be appropriate for them since they really want to see it. Most of it would be okay for them, but there were a few scenes that would have given them nightmares so they will have to get over not seeing it.

 

[jbmom]

While I agree with you about the ceremony I do not agree with you about the movies. If my kids can sit quietly and watch a movie then there is nothing wrong about it at all. I pay for them to go so I know how expensive it is. If my children are even the slightest bit disruptive movie time is over. To be honest we have encountered more loud obnoxious adults in the movies than kids. Pretty sad when a 4 year olds whispers asking you why the adults won't be quiet or turn their phone off.

I agree with you about the movies too as long as children are quiet and not disruptive I have no problem with it. When a baby is crying though I think they should exit the theater and if they are the only adult I think they should take the 3 or 4 year old that is with them out too.