Things that parents do - my pet peeves

[luvsJack]

Well, our last visit, we never threatened to go home but I showed him the Kid's Club and told him it was a daycare center and that if he didn't behave and stop whining, that was where he was going! And it seemed to work for the most part.

As for the other poster, I would NEVER demean my child or call him or something he wants to do stupid (that is just mean) but sometime a good healthy yell gets their attention and makes them think twice! I don't believe in smacking a child but I will talk to him first and if that doesn't work, then, yes, I will yell. And I can sometimes shoot him the "look" and that can also stop him dead in his tracks at times too!

Oh, I didn't mean that everyone that yelled at their child would do these things. I just wondered if that is the kind of "yelling" the OP meant rather than yelling at a child who was trully misbehaving.

I don't yell at my kids and never, ever would have yelled at the children in my program in our child care center. I understand that you feel it "gets their attention" and gets results and maybe it does for you but, I didn't find that at all. I always found that if I sat the child down, got down to their level (height wise) and spoke quietly and calmly; they knew I meant business.

As for at WDW, if dd ever gets whiney or a bit hard to get along with -we just take a break and that solves it. But, she is usually very easy to get along with so I know she is tired or hungry when that changes.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

One of my issues is with parents of older kids/teens. I've run into a few parents that have given DH and I the dirtiest looks because our 20m old was loud during a meal or while in a store. They act like their older child/teen wasn't ever a baby. If my son happens to bang his fork on his plate, or scream at the table, or do a "happy squeal" in the store, get over it. I'm working on correcting the situation just as fast as they are shooting daggers at us.

As far as being afraid of germs, I'd rather put my son in a highchair cover to sit while eating off a plastic placemat than watch him touch a ketchup covered highchair and eat off a dirty tabletop. A mother called me overprotective under her breath at a restaurant while letting her daughter eat mashed potatoes right off a tabletop.

To the PP about nursing on a ride, I'm with you. I don't care where we are. If my baby is hungry, I'm feeding him.

 

[luvsJack]

One of my issues is with parents of older kids/teens. I've run into a few parents that have given DH and I the dirtiest looks because our 20m old was loud during a meal or while in a store. They act like their older child/teen wasn't ever a baby. If my son happens to bang his fork on his plate, or scream at the table, or do a "happy squeal" in the store, get over it. I'm working on correcting the situation just as fast as they are shooting daggers at us.

As far as being afraid of germs, I'd rather put my son in a highchair cover to sit while eating off a plastic placemat than watch him touch a ketchup covered highchair and eat off a dirty tabletop. A mother called me overprotective under her breath at a restaurant while letting her daughter eat mashed potatoes right off a tabletop.

To the PP about nursing on a ride, I'm with you. I don't care where we are. If my baby is hungry, I'm feeding him.

I am right there with you on the high chair, but I just carried Clorox wipes with me to clean the high chair when dd was a baby. And I don't think anyone should be glaring at a baby for making noises, that's just what babies do.

But, your last statement got me. I am all for supporting mother's to breastfeed and it is certainly nothing to be ashamed of; but, don't you know when its getting close enough to feeding time that you could make a stop on an out of the way bench and feed your baby in peace?

 

[averysmom]

While I'm sure this has already been mentioned.... definitely parents who let kids run around or behave badly in restaurants. As a former server, it infuriates me when I see parents ignoring their kids as their tear around restaurants as the hard working servers are carrying heavy plates of *hot* food, drinks, etc.

It also ticks me off when the kids are yelling, screaming, crying (for long periods of time) in restaurants. Other ppl are eating. If they are that poorly behaved, take them out, or take your food to go.

The worst thing I have seen from a parent at disney, is changing their kids poopy diapers IN chef mickeys on the floor, right in front of everyone
Now that is BAD parenting!

 

[rt2dz]

But, your last statement got me. I am all for supporting mother's to breastfeed and it is certainly nothing to be ashamed of; but, don't you know when its getting close enough to feeding time that you could make a stop on an out of the way bench and feed your baby in peace?

Not every child eats on a perfect schedule. Of the three I have, only one did. And I doubt she was talking about feeding a baby on Dumbo, but as a mom who did nurse a baby on Kilimanjaro Safari, Mission Space, The energy ride at Epcot, and a couple of others, I'd have to say, there are many rides that are just as peaceful and discreet as any bench.

The worst thing I have seen from a parent at disney, is changing their kids poopy diapers IN chef mickeys on the floor, right in front of everyone
Now that is BAD parenting!

While I certainly do not agree with that action, it is NOT “bad parenting”. It’s a poor choice, but hardly “bad parenting” by any means. Bad parenting is things that don’t teach your child right from wrong where it matters (stealing, drugs, etc). Bad parenting is putting your child in harm’s way (leaving them in a hot car or home alone at the age of 2).

 

[SnowandMittens]

Not every child eats on a perfect schedule. Of the three I have, only one did. And I doubt she was talking about feeding a baby on Dumbo, but as a mom who did nurse a baby on Kilimanjaro Safari, Mission Space, The energy ride at Epcot, and a couple of others, I'd have to say, there are many rides that are just as peaceful and discreet as any bench.

Wait... Mission Space? Or Spaceship Earth?



Might be hard to nurse when you're strapped in like that.

I know what you meant though...

As far as nursing mothers go, as long as you got yourself good to go with a blanket, go for it. If it's discreet, then way to be!

It's the people who nurse in public places without any discretion that get me. I know what "ta-tas" are for, but that doesn't mean I need to see yours.

 

[luvsJack]

Not every child eats on a perfect schedule. Of the three I have, only one did. And I doubt she was talking about feeding a baby on Dumbo, but as a mom who did nurse a baby on Kilimanjaro Safari, Mission Space, The energy ride at Epcot, and a couple of others, I'd have to say, there are many rides that are just as peaceful and discreet as any bench..

I guess to each their own. My kids were never on a perfect schedule either. But even when bottle feeding I would have prefered to take a moment and sit down, give the baby my attention and give him/her a few quiet minutes to nurse in peace. And even without a schedule, it was never that much of a surprise that the baby was going to be hungry soon.

But, these differences in preference is what makes the world go round. Right?

 

[dvczerfs]

Wait... Mission Space? Or Spaceship Earth?



Might be hard to nurse when you're strapped in like that.

I know what you meant though...

As far as nursing mothers go, as long as you got yourself good to go with a blanket, go for it. If it's discreet, then way to be!

It's the people who nurse in public places without any discretion that get me. I know what "ta-tas" are for, but that doesn't mean I need to see yours.

omg!

 

[wickywinn]

Okay if we're making our list then please add those parents who feel the need to change their child - whether diapers or clothes - out in public in front of everyone! Please I don't need to see your child's butt! And isn't there plenty of bathrooms to do that?

Also I too get a big laugh when I hear my friends say ' Susie takes a nap at 11am and goes to bed at 7pm so we'll be sticking to her schedule while we're at Disney.' Yeah right! Show me the parent who kept a routine and I'm sure they missed out on a few things! My kids know when we're at Disney especially during the hot months we don't go to bed until at least midnight because we're in the pool the minute the fireworks are over.

I have been known to raise my voice specifically when it comes to the FIGHTING ABOUT THE ROOM IN THE STROLLER! Makes me nuts when I have to debate over who has more room! This year I'm bringing painter's tape and putting a line down the middle so everyone is aware of their space.

Wow, Susie's mom sounds just like my cousin. Christmas day, with the family, we had to wait for dinner to be served because they were two (TWO) hours later. Avery naps at 4 everyday afterall and heaven forbid they adjust her schedule. Nevermind that my cousin admitted dear, little Avery fights taking her two naps now and didn't even sleep.

Well, maybe because she's 5?!

But I shouldn't judge...except when the entire family has to hold off eating Christmas dinner for two hours. Then yeah, I judge...

And they just took little Avery to WDW. I doubt very seriously they saw much...but I'm sure she got plenty of rest at least.

 

[rt2dz]

Wait... Mission Space? Or Spaceship Earth?



Might be hard to nurse when you're strapped in like that.

I know what you meant though...

As far as nursing mothers go, as long as you got yourself good to go with a blanket, go for it. If it's discreet, then way to be!

It's the people who nurse in public places without any discretion that get me. I know what "ta-tas" are for, but that doesn't mean I need to see yours.

Yeah, I meant Spaceship Earth. What can I say? I'm expecting #4 and my brain has gone out the window.

And I agree; it's important to be discreet.

 

[JUJU814]

Ok, well here's my "pet peeve"..and that's simply what it is..a pet peeve.

It drives me bonkers when parents take their kids on a family vacation and leave the kids in glorified day care centers with fancy names like "kids club" etc. It's babysitting/daycare! Whether it be Disney, a cruise, all inclusive. Then they say "oh, my kids looovvvveeee it!!!" I've met more than a few who sure didn't love it.

I've been in a couple, and they just seem like day camp to me. IMHO, family vacation means families should spend time together..not farming the kids out to kids activities.

My parents keep asking us to go on a cruise and I just can't yet...with the kids. "oh, they have tons to do for the kids! they take them all day!" No thank you! I know lots of people love it. Good for you. It just isn't for us.

 

[Juliet25]

Re: Judging parents for "forcing their kids" on rides...

FYI, there is no "chicken exit" for Haunted Mansion. We found that out the hard way.

DD (6) was fine till the "Lobby" where they close you in. Then she freaked.

I told her I would get her off...I PROMISED her I'd get her off. Asked the CM...NOPE! You're on the ride now!

WHAT?????




So...there I am...with a freaked out 6 yr old, whose Mommy had just "lied to her" (in her eyes), crammed in a stupid hearse, with her smushing her face into my chest (my suggestion) with her ears plugged.

Guess what? We GET STUCK on the stupid ride at the be-headed bride for 20 freakin' minutes! I have a sobbing 6 yr old begging me to tell her it's over... *I* was in tears!

H-E-double-toothpicks on earth!

Thank the sweet Lord for Peter Pan afterwards!

Don't judge, people...you have NO CLUE!

Oh no! Poor mommy!

 

[Juliet25]

As the mother of 3 (with another on the way), I’ve learned pick your battles. Fighting over a bottle isn’t worth it. The real chance of it causing permanent tooth damage is minimal, and there is always braces. My kids were always away from the bottle early, but what difference does it make? Don’t battle over clothes. Let them wear what they want. Why stifle them? Bring something more practical with you for when they decide it was a poor choice. Some kids only learn by doing. Basically, as long as it doesn’t put their (or someone else’s) safety or health at risk, let the minor things go. For the record, good manners aren’t minor, so don’t go there. Things that *only* affect your child are minor.

OK, that is as far as I’m going to go.

I totally agree. As long as a child isn't doing something that would harm me or my kids, I could care less what goes on. Kid having a melt down? Glad it's yours and not mine! 3 year old with a bottle? He can join the oral fixation club that my four year old with a pacifier was president of. Baby in a restaurant with only a diaper on? So what! There's nothing cuter than a baby in a diaper.

 

[Juliet25]

But, your last statement got me. I am all for supporting mother's to breastfeed and it is certainly nothing to be ashamed of; but, don't you know when its getting close enough to feeding time that you could make a stop on an out of the way bench and feed your baby in peace?

Neither of my breastfed kids ate on a schedule. They ate when they were hungry, so "feeding time" varied. It's not as if I would have to drop everything and nurse wherever I was standing, but it did mean not being able to hike over to the baby center. An out of the way bench would be great, but I've found one person's definition of discretion is another's exhibitionism.

 

[Juliet25]

As far as nursing mothers go, as long as you got yourself good to go with a blanket, go for it. If it's discreet, then way to be!

It's the people who nurse in public places without any discretion that get me. I know what "ta-tas" are for, but that doesn't mean I need to see yours.

I was never "good to go" with anything that covered either DD and still managed to be discreet. Frankly, I've never seen a non-discreet nursing mother.

 

[mickeyluvr004]

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.

I totally agree my DD who is 10 just finished the 4th grade and her teacher who is Italian spoke to them all year in French, and they caught on sooo fast. I totally agree they are sponges and the schools should not wait until high school (that is when they forced you back then) when she was 3 and 4 in preschool she had a deaf child in her preschool and they taught the class to sign, that was great to, I wish all teachers were so motivated to teach the children and go beyond like this teacher did, I can only hope that my younger DD gets her in 4 years

 

[Brit_Jude]

Wow, lotta yellers out there. My kids have always been expected to behave and have always behaved reasonably well in public and I don't yell. I just don't like the look on a child's face when they are being yelled at, it breaks my heart. If I am going to be stern with a child, I can't do it when they look like that. But, that's just me.

I don't know exactly what the OP means, but my first thought is of the poor little kid of about 5 or 6 that just wants to sit down on the curb and watch the parade and mom keeps yelling "WE CAN WATCH A PARADE ANYWERE, WE ARE GOING TO RIDE _______ (fill in ride of choice)" or the parent that throws in a few names while yelling at their child or says what they child wants to do is "just stupid" And then after being screamed at the child sits there looking like they would love to melt into the pavement and as though they would rather be anywhere else but "the happiest place on earth". That's not really the same thing as yelling when you are discipling a child.

As the original OP this is exactly what I meant sorry if I wasn't clear. Especially the throwing in of a few names while yelling at a child. I never meant that children wouldn't have a melt down, be noisy, or misbehave and need some discipline but it is the harsh bullying and/or belittling tactics I have a problem with. And for those who wanted to know as I think you thought I did not understand I am (step)Mom to two wonderful boys one with ADHD. Everyday is a joy and a challenge.

 

[ammeador2]

Ok, well here's my "pet peeve"..and that's simply what it is..a pet peeve.

It drives me bonkers when parents take their kids on a family vacation and leave the kids in glorified day care centers with fancy names like "kids club" etc. It's babysitting/daycare! Whether it be Disney, a cruise, all inclusive. Then they say "oh, my kids looovvvveeee it!!!" I've met more than a few who sure didn't love it.

I've been in a couple, and they just seem like day camp to me. IMHO, family vacation means families should spend time together..not farming the kids out to kids activities.

My parents keep asking us to go on a cruise and I just can't yet...with the kids. "oh, they have tons to do for the kids! they take them all day!" No thank you! I know lots of people love it. Good for you. It just isn't for us.

My husband and I do EVERYTHING with the kids. We do not have a sitter where we live. Thank god we all get along! When we go to Disney (we did this last year and are doing this again this year) but 1 night we get a sitter for 4 hours and enjoy some grown up rides. I love my kids and I spend a lot of time with my kids. But it is my vacation too and my husband and I need some alone time even if it is just 4 hours! We have fun, the kids love it. My daughter asked if she could have a sitter for this trip. I would not do this on daily thing, but what is the problem with every once in awhile...

 

[KJMAX1]

Well you all can hate me too. I expect my kids to obey rules, but I also take into consideration that my kids at home arent set in a hyper consumer environment where every dump shops has cheap toys and sugar on a stick. So at Disney I give my kids more pop and candy than a whole years worth at home. I buy them a toy or two that I know will get thrown aside, but you better believe they will not speak to anyone rudely, or pee in bushes to avoid getting out of line for a ride.

My oldest has HF Autism, and sometimes she just has a bad day because when she woke up a little bit of sun was on her, or her underwear are just bugging her...I cannot control her issues, nor can she control my entire family's day.

You wanna know what Im really sick of....ADULTS....Adults who walk around the park sizing everyone up, and acting as if the kids are "bothering" or "intruding" in their space. I also hate line cutting adults after my 5 kids have waited patiently sometimes for up to an hour to go on a ride, or get a picture with a character. Cant an adult wait to take a picture with someone in a costume one more minute?? I also hate foul mouthed adults who run around the park dropping the "F" word like its an everyday thing with my kids in tow. Little pictures have big ears!! Sometimes I think adults are worse than kids...With kids there is still hope they will learn, with adults, that almost nonexsistant.

 

[SLK1]

I totally agree. As long as a child isn't doing something that would harm me or my kids, I could care less what goes on. Kid having a melt down? Glad it's yours and not mine! 3 year old with a bottle? He can join the oral fixation club that my four year old with a pacifier was president of. Baby in a restaurant with only a diaper on? So what! There's nothing cuter than a baby in a diaper.

YOU are my new best friend!!!