Things that parents do - my pet peeves

[AmyBWV99]

Okay, we're not talking about changing the shirt of a 4 year old boy right? Because I've been known to do that, once at WDW. He made quite the mess of his Mickey Ice Cream bar, which I totally anticipated. I whipped out his spare shirt, washed his face, and he changed shirts right there by the water in World Showcase. I would never change bottoms in public, nor would I let my daughter change tops in public. Since DS has gotten older, I don't anticipate doing it with him again.

Been there done that! I also had my baby at the time 5 months naked in diaper only, so naked by this fams standards, at dinner at the Beach Club. All mom's of babies especially nursed babies know you can have poo that can stretch from their bums to the back of their neck. It's hidious for all involved and to add to it's horrors it's generally shot with the force and explosive bang of the finally of Illuminations. So EVERYONE knows something is going on. That day he'd already gone thru my spare outfit and my back up spare outfit while waiting on luggage to be delivered there was not a thing left to do but bring my freshly diapered son to the table, 'nakey' as my older son refers to it. We got some weird looks but oh well, keeping him covered in a blanket was no use he thought it was a game to remove and drop it. He was in his stroller so it's not like he was rolling all over but sometimes you just have to suck it up and go with the flow.

 

[ireland_nicole]

It IS harsh, which could make it seem awful. But sometimes, reality hurts.

Stupid is defined as :1. in a state of stupor, dazed
2. lacking in normal intelligence

I'm sure you aren't privy to the results of anonymous children's IQ tests? And that, if you were, you would choose words to describe these children that were a little more tactful.

But you're right, it is all about education

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

My pet peeves....

1) Sunburned babies and kids. I also know it can happen with sunblock but there is no reason your child should look like a lobster, especially a baby. DH and I saw this on several of our WDW trips.

2) Smoking around kids. It is a gross habit and I think people who smoke around their kids are killing them.

3) Parents who ignore their children when they are misbehaving and jumping all over and stepping on my toes or slamming into my pregnant stomach. Yup that one happened too.

4) Parents who do push their kids to do too much. I know that sometimes kids are fresh from a nap and will still have a melt down. I am after all a mother to a toddler. But there are definietly parents who push too much.

5) Parents who force their kids to go on rides that they are scared of. I mean if your kid doesn't want to go on The Haunted Mansion, don't make them.

6) Rude people who like to cut lines and are pushy. I mean what are we teaching our children?

 

[M-J's Mommy]

Stupid is defined as :1. in a state of stupor, dazed
2. lacking in normal intelligence

I'm sure you aren't privy to the results of anonymous children's IQ tests? And that, if you were, you would choose words to describe these children that were a little more tactful.

But you're right, it is all about education

Yes, perhaps I could use different words. And whatever words you would choose, its just really sad when a kid isn't given a head start by their parent(s). I just don't see how a person can have a kid and not take pride in that child. A family member of mine is like this.

And to the PP poster who wrote about the kid who dumped water onto her pants, I would be horrified if my daughter did that. I might have even bought you new pants. But then again, I probably wouldn't trust my kid to run amok with a water bottle. You have to have some kind of idea what your kid's "naughty potential" is.

But I have to admit that sometimes I judge too fast. There are a lot of kids out there who do have genuine problems. It's just that most of the horrible kids out there really don't.

I guess that I wish people would take responsibility for their children, plain and simple. I also wish that the kids with the REAL problems could get the attention that they need and not be held up by those kids who are just poorly raised.

Also, does it irritate anyone else when an American-born child doesn't speak English?

 

[brekin67]

Yes, perhaps I could use different words. And whatever words you would choose, its just really sad when a kid isn't given a head start by their parent(s). I just don't see how a person can have a kid and not take pride in that child. A family member of mine is like this.

And to the PP poster who wrote about the kid who dumped water onto her pants, I would be horrified if my daughter did that. I might have even bought you new pants. But then again, I probably wouldn't trust my kid to run amok with a water bottle. You have to have some kind of idea what your kid's "naughty potential" is.

But I have to admit that sometimes I judge too fast. There are a lot of kids out there who do have genuine problems. It's just that most of the horrible kids out there really don't.

I guess that I wish people would take responsibility for their children, plain and simple. I also wish that the kids with the REAL problems could get the attention that they need and not be held up by those kids who are just poorly raised.

Also, does it irritate anyone else when an American-born child doesn't speak English?

I also notice that your sig has "Murder the Government."
Ouch, that is harsh! Whose Government are you referring to? I work for the government and proud to do so.


Oh my goodness....Why in the world would anyone be irritated with a non-English speaking child born in USA?

 

[picktails]

I'm sorry, but IMHO some people here are just making excuses.

Baby has dirtied 2 spare outfits already? Well the gift shop is just down the hall - at least get a t-shirt with that diapee!

You know your son causes a ruckus at restaurants? Maybe give it a try at WDW but if it doesn't work out REMOVE HIM. The restaurant will pack up your food. Or switch off with DH as we used to do.

Your daughter is having an uncharacteristic meltdown? Won't settle down, is combative? TIME TO GO, no discussion. Be the adult.

Ahhh, I feel better now

 

[kevschickee]

[/B][/COLOR] I also notice that your sig has "Murder the Government."
Ouch, that is harsh! Whose Government are you referring to? I work for the government and proud to do so.


Oh my goodness....Why in the world would anyone be irritated with a non-English speaking child born in USA?[/QUOTE


Those children must be stupid I guess.
The sig is harsh and a little scary to tell you the truth

 

[TheNewman6]

I agree with you completely. Nothing is as upsetting as seeing parents get mad at their kids in WDW.

 

[picktails]

Wow, didn't notice that about poster who thinks children are "stupid." But now I see where the ignorance stems from...

Our country was born on IMMIGRANTS, those children are INNOCENT. Many of my friends, and my kids friends speak their native language with their parents - it's only natural. Why in the world should this bother anyone? At least direct your prejudices to their parents, LOL.

Talk about stupid - the ability to speak multiple languages speaks to high intelligence! Americans are the only ones abroad who expect people in their native lands to speak English, yet most of them do. What's wrong with the multilingual ability on our own shores?

 

[ammeador2]

Sorry...I don't subscribe to that school of thought...in fact I think its kind of ridiculous. If my son would like a bottle before nap or bedtime, more power to him. No need for a security blanket, no need for a thumb. And in the August heat we will be facing, I will be sure he is getting more then enough fluids.

Because anybody who tells me he will be sure to drink when he is thirsty is crazy - you don't know my kid!

As a first time parent I tried to subscribe to all of todays "thinking" on raising a baby...I am done. I made myself neurotic. So thanks for the advice, but no thanks! Oh and look the other way if it bothers you so bad!

I could be wrong, but I think the person was meaning that a child at 2 is too old for a bottle. and did not imply to not allow the child to have a drink.

I have huge issues with kids and bottles and passys. I would never say anything to that parent of course but when we were in Disney there was a family of 5 or 6 and the kids were 5 and under and ALL of them were drinking from a bottle!! I almost had a stroke. My son was hard to break from a passy he was 2 when I was finally able to pitch those thank god..

 

[ammeador2]

Wow, didn't notice that about poster who thinks children are "stupid." But now I see where the ignorance stems from...

Our country was born on IMMIGRANTS, those children are INNOCENT. Many of my friends, and my kids friends speak their native language with their parents - it's only natural. Why in the world should this bother anyone? At least direct your prejudices to their parents, LOL.

Talk about stupid - the ability to speak multiple languages speaks to high intelligence! Americans are the only ones abroad who expect people in their native lands to speak English, yet most of them do. What's wrong with the multilingual ability on our own shores?

I think that we should teach languages at younger ages. I am teaching my children French. No they cannot speak it perfectly, but they are grasping the concepts nicely at 4 and 2. My neice is learning Japanese at 4 (my SIL is from Japan) and my daughter when she spends time with them starts speaking Japanese as well. Kids are sponges and we need to encourage that.

 

[jjenniboo]

Also, does it irritate anyone else when an American-born child doesn't speak English?

Actually, what I find irritating is a person that judges others so quickly. My husband and his family are from Vietnam. His siblings that have chosen to marry other Vietnamese people obviously teach their children their language first so the children will learn the language they most likely will be communicating to their parents within their home the rest of their lives. After that they will learn English which they will use outside their household. Those children will be bilingual. I have 10 nieces and nephews that have done this and they are all fluent in two languages. Maybe having a better understanding of what one family does will keep others from being so judgemental.

 

[3_disprincesses]

A different one i have is parents that choose "cute" over comfort.

Now I LOVE to see the little girls in the princess dresses but PLEASE choose one that matches the weather and put shoes on that they can walk in. I have seen children in thoese silly plastic dress up shoes "trying" to walk around MK. We often go in winter when it can be cold but parents will not cover up the cute dress with a coat even when they have one on..

I allowed my daughter to wear whichever dress she chose each day. And if she wanted to wear "those silly plastic dress up shoes" I allowed it also. But what you didn't see is the change of clothes/shoes in the bag that I was carrying. She didn't know I had them either...until she got uncomfortable and wanted something else to wear!

 

[kpm76]

[/B][/COLOR] I also notice that your sig has "Murder the Government."
Ouch, that is harsh! Whose Government are you referring to? I work for the government and proud to do so.


Oh my goodness....Why in the world would anyone be irritated with a non-English speaking child born in USA?

Going OT: Thank you for your public service DH and I have worked in the political realm and are proud to do so. I guess I would ask anyone who thinks the government should be murdered and that all politicians belong in jail, what are you doing to better the process and make it more positive? It's very easy to sit back and criticize, but it takes real drive and determination (and thick skin...lol) to give of yourself for the sake of democracy.

 

[ammeador2]

I allowed my daughter to wear whichever dress she chose each day. And if she wanted to wear "those silly plastic dress up shoes" I allowed it also. But what you didn't see is the change of clothes/shoes in the bag that I was carrying. She didn't know I had them either...until she got uncomfortable and wanted something else to wear!

I do the same for my daughter. I always have back up clothes that she doesn't know about. If she wants them, we have them if not then they are just in case. We know our kids, and it is truly sad that people are so judgemental.

This thread is really starting to bother me! but it is like a train wreck, hard to look away!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I allowed my daughter to wear whichever dress she chose each day. And if she wanted to wear "those silly plastic dress up shoes" I allowed it also. But what you didn't see is the change of clothes/shoes in the bag that I was carrying. She didn't know I had them either...until she got uncomfortable and wanted something else to wear!

We do the same thing.

 

[nytimez]

Actually, what I find irritating is a person that judges others so quickly. My husband and his family are from Vietnam. His siblings that have chosen to marry other Vietnamese people obviously teach their children their language first so the children will learn the language they most likely will be communicating to their parents within their home the rest of their lives. After that they will learn English which they will use outside their household. Those children will be bilingual. I have 10 nieces and nephews that have done this and they are all fluent in two languages. Maybe having a better understanding of what one family does will keep others from being so judgemental.

Well said.

My wife is from another country, and we are raising our daughter -- born in New York City -- to be bilingual. But the only person in her life who is completely fluent in that language is my wife. So in order to make sure she continues to speak and learn the language, that's the main way they communicate when they are together.

So, when they're together -- and if you or M-J's Mommy or anyone else should happen to see them together in a Disney park -- you'll likely see them speaking Japanese to one another. The fact that it may bother a few narrow-minded people doesn't bother us, as I am perfectly content raising a bilingual child. I only wish I spoke multiple languages.

 

[AmyBWV99]

I'm sorry, but IMHO some people here are just making excuses.

Baby has dirtied 2 spare outfits already? Well the gift shop is just down the hall - at least get a t-shirt with that diapee!


Ahhh, I feel better now

Done it, WDW has gotten much $$$ out of us in similar circumstances but just wasn't going to pay another $24 on a charater shirt that I will never put on him again. LOVE WDW not a fan of the wears. I figure there's much bigger issues in child rearing than finishing up one dinner with him in his stroller with out a shirt. I tired, I packed lots of back up, I wish that's all I had to worry about.

 

[Avonlady1001]

I am a smoker. There I said it - LOL!!
...
OK. Of my soapbox now. I just think that parents do not "need" to smoke around their kids, and they have a responisibility to not harm their kids with toxins, or allow their kids to think it is "OK" to smoke.

Haven't finished reading thru all the posts yet....but wanted to comment. I, too, was a smoker til I got prego w/ DD (now 4 1/2). I haven't gone back to it, but I do have one every now & then when I'm w/ my BFF who smokes. She smoked thru her pregnancy, with her newborn in the stroller (w/ the shades covering her but still...) and even now. Her DD is now 6. One day recently, BFF went outside for a cig (b/c I was there w/ my 2 kids & she won't smoke w/ them in the house cause I'd leave). I mentioned to her DD how bad smoking is, how she should never EVER smoke...she tells me that she will follow in her mother's footsteps and smoke. Made me sick. I told BFF, she said "So? She says lots of things." I feel she should be telling her DD about the dangers of smoking & that she doesn't want her to grow up to be a smoker...tell her how she's addicted and wishes she could quit, but can't...

Bottom line is this...I'm glad you don't smoke around your child. They do want to emulate their parents...

Last time we were in WDW 2 young parents were smoking, leaning into the stroller when they exhaled. I slipped & said something to them (at some point I just can't mind my own business, KWIM?)...they had some choice words for me, but I felt better. What is wrong with people? Do they think it's good for a baby to breathe that? They couldn't take turns having a cig keeping infant AWAY from the smoking area?? I just don't get it.

So, smoking around the kids is one pet peeve, another is letting the kids do whatever they want. There has to be discipline no matter WHERE you are...loosen the rules, yes. Throw them out the window? Nope.

I'm not sure yelling is the way to go (I can be a yeller at home...but rarely in public), but something needs to be done with a child who is acting up...I mean for no reason. If there's an exhaustion tantrum, take a break, a hunger tantrum, get a snack...a gimme tantrum?? No way!!

Being hot, hungry, & tired can bring out the worst in everyone...more so for the little ones. Trying to be one step ahead (frequent breaks, snacks, AC stops) can avoid some of these, but not all.

I can't believe some of the things the parents let the kids wear...I've seen the little girls in the plastic shoes...OMG!!! Good to know the kid's comfy shoes are in the bag. LOL I just hope all parents are that prepared, but I have a feeling they are not.

How about the parents who think just b/c they have a stroller & little kids they are somehow entitled to something? Or when they run you over?? I have been to WDW each year since DD was 1, so this will be our 4th time w/ a stroller (1st time w/ 2 kids DS will be 1 when we go). I can't imagine purposely hitting someone w/ a stroller just because i can...

Common courtesy people!! We ALL deserve it, and should give it! We're all at WDW for the same reason, whether we have kids or not. We're all there for the magic & the mouse ...

I'm rambling...anyway...ice cream for dinner? Sign me up!! Kitchen Sink here we come!

 

[MaumeeMom]

PARTIAL

Also, does it irritate anyone else when an American-born child doesn't speak English?

Nope, not in the least. I wish that I had been able to teach my kids a second language, I think it would be a beautiful thing. Early childhood is the best time for kids to learn languages so I don't see anything wrong with this at all, especially if the kids are learning their parent's native tongue.

The US is a melting pot of cultures, that is one reason it is such a great country.