Things that parents do - my pet peeves

[allison443]

I love Disney and it's magic but I find myself open mouthed at times. Sorry if I upset but here are my pet peeves:

1. Shouting at children at Disney, while we all get tired and frustrated I hate to see parents shouting, moaning or getting on at their Children while at the most magical place on earth. It should be a magical fun time not a time to make them unhappy. Relax some of the rules that apply at home let them eat ice-cream for lunch etc, it's vacation, it's hot, it's supposed to be fun. I always mumble under my breath in an ironic tone - "happy families - bring your child on vacation to shout at them"

2. The constant "germaphobes". Making your child frighten to touch anything, as a nation I think we are becoming obsessed with contamination and it is gradually taking over people lives. A JAMA study found that children in large families suffered fewer illnesses than children in smaller families, suggesting that larger families exposed children to more germs, which increased their immunity to common infections. Early germ expose boosts the immune system later in life. So be resonable and instead of constantly sanitizing your kids hands, telling them not to touch something, instilling paranoia, give them an orange, well what I really mean is make sure they are getting the right nutrition to make sure they are boosting their defenses and teach them proper hand washing.

3. Trying to push the kids to see everything in one day. Get up early go till lunchtime, take a break back at the hotel, swim, nap and rest go back out later on. It makes it more enjoyable for everyone.

Paragraph #1 = Let your kids have ice cream for lunch!

Paragraph #2 = Give your kids the right nutrition!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Here's my little WDW story.

We were at WDW for my DD's third birthday. She's always been the kind of kid that could get up at 7 and go until 10 p.m. But by the middle of our trip, she had a complete meltdown in DHS. It started off with her running away and/or hiding behind trees. Each time I'd go and get her, she'd thrown herself on the floor and kick and scream (this was NOT my child). Then she started hitting and kicking and biting all the while screaming at the top of her lungs. Again, this is NOT the child I know. I knew she was exhausted and needed a nap. I knew if she just settled down for 2 minutes, she'd fall asleep. We'd try to put her in the stroller so we could walk with her, but she continued to jump out and run away. Then she would do the whole limp body thing, while I seemingly dragged her along. She was truly evil on two legs that day. I mentioned going back to the hotel (offsite) and then DH had a fit. We paid too much money... I was now dealing with two babies. We couldn't get very far anyway, because she wouldn't stay in the stroller and would run off when not in the stroller. I thought I was going to pull her arm out of the socket between her trying to pull away and going limp all the time.

I took DD in stores hoping the air conditioning would help calm her. A very nice CM tried to give her a sticker and she pushed her! I finally lost all patience with DD and DH knew it. He told me to leave her with him and go for a walk. When I came back she was passed out cold on the bench next to DH, sleeping like an angel. He, however, looked like he'd been to battle with the Devil himself. He had scratches all over his face, his face was bright red and he had a nice little shoe print on his bicep. Apparently, she beat the heck out of him and he was trying to hold her to get her to calm down. What made it worse was a CM in a hot dog cart across from them, screaming at DH that if he laid one hand on DD, he was going to call the police. WHAT?! She's beating the stuffing out of him, and CM is going to call the cops on DH?! There were two very nice familes who were nearby and saw everything that was going on. They spoke to DH and I and told us they would hang around in case the CM did call security and/or the police. They assured DH they had seen DD's behavior and DH had in no way abused her or hurt her. I told DH that 1/2 the park was saying "if that was my kid I'd beat the crap out of her" and the other half were saying "if he hits that child we're calling the cops"! You can't please everyone.

Needless to say DD took a 3 hour nap and woke up just as angelic as if nothing had ever happened. Do I wish we had gone back to the hotel for a break, absolutely. I also wish I had some sort of warning before the meltdown but one minute she was sweet as could be, and the next minute she was heck on wheels.

 

[mom2faith]

Here's my little WDW story.

We were at WDW for my DD's third birthday. She's always been the kind of kid that could get up at 7 and go until 10 p.m. But by the middle of our trip, she had a complete meltdown in DHS. It started off with her running away and/or hiding behind trees. Each time I'd go and get her, she'd thrown herself on the floor and kick and scream (this was NOT my child). Then she started hitting and kicking and biting all the while screaming at the top of her lungs. Again, this is NOT the child I know. I knew she was exhausted and needed a nap. I knew if she just settled down for 2 minutes, she'd fall asleep. We'd try to put her in the stroller so we could walk with her, but she continued to jump out and run away. Then she would do the whole limp body thing, while I seemingly dragged her along. She was truly evil on two legs that day. I mentioned going back to the hotel (offsite) and then DH had a fit. We paid too much money... I was now dealing with two babies. We couldn't get very far anyway, because she wouldn't stay in the stroller and would run off when not in the stroller. I thought I was going to pull her arm out of the socket between her trying to pull away and going limp all the time.

I took DD in stores hoping the air conditioning would help calm her. A very nice CM tried to give her a sticker and she pushed her! I finally lost all patience with DD and DH knew it. He told me to leave her with him and go for a walk. When I came back she was passed out cold on the bench next to DH, sleeping like an angel. He, however, looked like he'd been to battle with the Devil himself. He had scratches all over his face, his face was bright red and he had a nice little shoe print on his bicep. Apparently, she beat the heck out of him and he was trying to hold her to get her to calm down. What made it worse was a CM in a hot dog cart across from them, screaming at DH that if he laid one hand on DD, he was going to call the police. WHAT?! She's beating the stuffing out of him, and CM is going to call the cops on DH?! There were two very nice familes who were nearby and saw everything that was going on. They spoke to DH and I and told us they would hang around in case the CM did call security and/or the police. They assured DH they had seen DD's behavior and DH had in no way abused her or hurt her. I told DH that 1/2 the park was saying "if that was my kid I'd beat the crap out of her" and the other half were saying "if he hits that child we're calling the cops"! You can't please everyone.

Needless to say DD took a 3 hour nap and woke up just as angelic as if nothing had ever happened. Do I wish we had gone back to the hotel for a break, absolutely. I also wish I had some sort of warning before the meltdown but one minute she was sweet as could be, and the next minute she was heck on wheels.

I do not know whether to laugh or cry at that story!!

I can, however, completely sympathize!! My DD is the same way when she is over-tired, she just changes to this completely different person!!

to you and your DH for a frustrating day!! Glad that after a nap it all worked out!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

However magical WDW is, for children esp. small ones that really need routine, just being there with so much stimulation, so out of their normal routine of naps on time, cribs/own bed, etc.
I know I don't sleep as well on vacation as I do in my own bed so this must be twice as hard for kids.
I love ice cream in WDW but would never serve it to my kids and call that lunch. We try to stick to noon lunch and 5-6 pm dinner. Snacks/IC can be around 3-4.
Also if it's really hot, I know I get cranky if I get too thirsty so this must be harder for kids who can't verbalize what's actually bothering them.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I do not know whether to laugh or cry at that story!!

I can, however, completely sympathize!! My DD is the same way when she is over-tired, she just changes to this completely different person!!

to you and your DH for a frustrating day!! Glad that after a nap it all worked out!!

It all worked out. She's now 13 and a park commando just like her mommy! If I even suggest taking an afternoon break to go back to the pool, she shoots me down immediately. We do go all day, but we also schedule at least one TS meal for either lunch or dinner, so that we're out of the sun for an hour or two to get refreshed and regroup. I think a big part is knowing what your family is or isn't capable of, and what will make them happy. Last trip we went to AK (after waiting 45 min.-1 hour in the sun at ASMo for a bus). We were there about 1-1/2 - 2 hours and DD looked at me and said "I've had enough". Ah, that was music to my ears. We jumped right on the bus and went back to ASMo where we stayed in the pool all afternoon.

 

[~Kristina~]

When we take my little sister (9) we will be enforcing the rule that she try everything ONCE. She's old enough to "know" it isn't real, and if she doesn't like it, we'll take turns waiting outside of the ride in a gift shop or something.

As far as breaks go, I agree with you! People are giving me a hard time for not putting breaks in, and the travel party is 21 and up, and then the 9 year old! We're not running a marathon, people, we chill after lunch and I'm sure we'll find all of the air conditioned attractions or get some icecream inside. It's not right for our family, and we know what we can and can't handle without getting a crabby group.

9 is a bit different, I was speaking of littles, under 6, actually more like under 5. My 6 year old is a thrill seeker.

 

[ireland_nicole]

As a mom to two kids with multiple disabilities, let me just say that I'm used to being judged by strangers when they "think" they see something. My child with high functioning autism looks completely "normal" but WILL melt down, and will probably look like an over indulged, spoiled brat by someone who doesn't know... also, she has an immune deficiency, so we clean everything she touches, especially at a place like WDW where she is exposed to germs that she doesn't have any immunity to at all because she hasn't been exposed to them., and my 7 year old still used a stroller at Disney because he has a brain based disability that affects his coordination, and I am one of the "fakers" on my ECV because I actually get up and walk sometimes so that my muscles don't seize up completely and make it impossible for me to move at all...

Sure, it's easy to say, well it's different then, you have a disability, I was talking about people who don't... but the thing is, you have absolutely no way to tell if someone has a hidden disability or not. You have no way to know their situation, or like pp's have said, what may or may not have happened that day, or in the last 5 minutes. Please, everyone, like pp's have said, unless laws are being broken, or lives are at risk, just assume that you don't know the whole story and get back to enjoying the magic.

 

[kevschickee]

I love Disney and it's magic but I find myself open mouthed at times. Sorry if I upset but here are my pet peeves:

1. Shouting at children at Disney, while we all get tired and frustrated I hate to see parents shouting, moaning or getting on at their Children while at the most magical place on earth. It should be a magical fun time not a time to make them unhappy. Relax some of the rules that apply at home let them eat ice-cream for lunch etc, it's vacation, it's hot, it's supposed to be fun. I always mumble under my breath in an ironic tone - "happy families - bring your child on vacation to shout at them"

2. The constant "germaphobes". Making your child frighten to touch anything, as a nation I think we are becoming obsessed with contamination and it is gradually taking over people lives. A JAMA study found that children in large families suffered fewer illnesses than children in smaller families, suggesting that larger families exposed children to more germs, which increased their immunity to common infections. Early germ expose boosts the immune system later in life. So be resonable and instead of constantly sanitizing your kids hands, telling them not to touch something, instilling paranoia, give them an orange, well what I really mean is make sure they are getting the right nutrition to make sure they are boosting their defenses and teach them proper hand washing.

3. Trying to push the kids to see everything in one day. Get up early go till lunchtime, take a break back at the hotel, swim, nap and rest go back out later on. It makes it more enjoyable for everyone.

See I am a parent and no the rules don't go out of the window because we are on vacation. No they can't have ice cream for lunch. They need to eat a little of their lunch then a treat. Yes parents yell don't judge them because of this. You have no idea what they are going through.

I don't care for parents who don't educate their children. And I don't mean just the A,B,C's and 1, 2, 3's alone (though seeing a stupid kid is pretty sad too). I don't like how some parents don't expect their kids to have manners, class, or even a shred of common sense. People like this do a dis-service to not only themselves and their children, but the world at large. I really can't even find the words for people who are bad parents.

Yelling doesn't make you a bad parent, spanking your kid every once in a while doesn't make you a bad parent, and denying your child certain things doesn't make you a bad parent. Giving a child limits, discipline, and teaching them about how the world really is, is where it is at. There have been times when I wished that it wasn't illegal to smack someone else's child...Or punt them across the room for that matter.

Oh yeah, and let your kid have that cookie or chip off the floor in your house if they just dropped it. Dirt don't hurt!

My main point is that your styles of parenting may be different and we won't always agree, but an all-encompassing theme here is that one takes a vested interest in their child and works toward making them a decent, intelligent human being.

Please don't refer to a CHILD as stupid

I'm curious too....
That aside, my pet peeves are:

1. People literally dragging a toddler by 1 arm, feet off the ground. In WDW or not. Makes me want to do that to them.

2. Parents that don't put a hat or shades on a baby's face. Yes, I know they'll pull some off but my boys always wore a tie-under-the-chin hat. You see the poor kid squinting or in a stroller with no shade facing straight up at the sun, while the parents have a visor and sunglasses on.

3. Seeing an older baby/child carrying around a bottle. Looks just ridiculous on a 2 yr. old. Cut it off by 12 mos and transition to a sippy cup. Easy-peasy.

its not always as easy as you think

 

[JUJU814]

Not everyone can be given the ice cream sold at Disney. Not without making it far FAR worse.

The more we go to DLR, and the more tiny moments that could be seen by outsiders as very very different (for instance, my son crying his eyes out during our lunch at DCA, while he said over and over "you're making me cry", when what I was telling him was that I knew the veggie burger was weirder than expected, but he needed to eat *something*, and the something in front of him was french fries...and then when I simply ignored him and took pictures of something nearby, which probably seemed awful but every time I simply LOOKED at him he burst into tears again, but when I wasn't looking he was eating his fries through his tears), the more I try to assume that I'm just misunderstanding the situation I think I'm seeing with other families.

Please don't take this the wrong way, as it is simply meant "tongue in cheek" and just a joke, but I would cry too if I was given a veggie burger to eat while at WDW. LOL Eeeew! I tried one for the first time a couple of weeks ago and hated it. I know people love it, but it's just funny..not something most associate with an amusement park. Definitely healthier though! LOL

I think there has to be a happy medium at a big place like WDW..it's HOT, and crowded, and overstimulating and sometimes children (and adults for that matter!) get crabby. My son had a blast last summer but also did a lot of crying. He bawled all the way throught he parade. It simply was too stimulating for him.

I try to always remember that we just don't know "the other side of the story" to what we're seeing!

 

[JUJU814]

Yeah, a good martini does it for me! Two work even better.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

See I am a parent and no the rules don't go out of the window because we are on vacation. No they can't have ice cream for lunch. They need to eat a little of their lunch then a treat. Yes parents yell don't judge them because of this. You have no idea what they are going through.



Please don't refer to a CHILD as stupid

[/U][/B]

its not always as easy as you think

OK. It was easy peasy for my 2.

 

[roscoepc1]

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!

 

[TinaLala]

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.

 

[turkeymama]

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.

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.

 

[princessreilly]

I think it is pointless to criticize other people's parenting skills. While each person is different, so is each parent and child. We all know as parents that what may work for one child may not for another. We have all found ourselves saying should I have done that or not done that. This is an information board and it just ills me to see people posting pointless flames. If you're not a parent, you cannot judge. You may be one someday , then you will understand. Enjoy your vacation, worry about yourselves not others!

 

[M-J's Mommy]

I'm sorry, but a kid can be stupid. There are a lot of kids out there who aren't taught anything by their parents and end up being as dull as a rock. It isn't their fault, but it's the sad truth, and this makes me sad.

 

[kpm76]

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.

We do keep a routine in WDW because DD is 2 yrs old and needs her naps. She has never been a stroller napper and we know that her needs come before ours so at lunch time we head back to the resort, give her lunch and then a 2-3 hr nap. We go back to the parks and head home by 7:30pm because 8pm is bedtime. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to go to WDW at least once a year so yes, we do miss things on some trips because we can't go comando anymore, but such is life when you have children. Granted, DD is still very young but regardless I will not push her past her limits because we ALL pay the price

 

[WantToGoNow]

Well I'm sure some of you might be criticizing me in November. My kids will still be expected to follow rules - especially where safety is involved. They will show respect to their siblings, parents and anyone else that chooses to speak to them. They will eat food before treats. And if they don't, you might hear a raised voice, they might be forced to sit on a bench in timeout and in some instances you might see me smack their backside.

My pet peeve is children that are allowed to do whatever they want, whenever they want without any consquence.

 

[Anonomom]

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.

If throwing out the schedule works for you, great. But why criticize those who do try to stick to some semblance of one?

FWIW, when we took DD to WDW last year, she was 2.5. We loosened up the schedule slightly (naptime at 3 instead of 1:30, one later night), but made a huge effort to keep things as close to normal as possible otherwise. Yes, we missed out on some stuff (mostly parades and fireworks), but we still saw and did a lot. And DD was happy and well-rested for the trip, which made all of our lives more pleasant. We had such a good time that we're going back again this year.

As far as peeves, I'll join the crew that deplores parents who refuse to discipline their kids at Disney. I remember one particularly appalling incident way back when I was a college student (mid-90s): Outside of the Enchanted Tiki Room, there was a kid around 9-10 years old leaping up and trying to grab something on the totem poles that were there (I think they talked and had moving parts or something). Not only was he blocking people from leaving the area, but he was jumping, bumping into people and trying to damage the property. All the while, his parents watched silently. Eventually, he ripped a piece right off of the totem pole! His parents never said one word of reproach to him; instead, the told him to hide the broken part before he got into trouble! I made a vow right then that my own kids, when I had them, would not be allowed to act badly in public.

 

[kevschickee]

I'm sorry, but a kid can be stupid. There are a lot of kids out there who aren't taught anything by their parents and end up being as dull as a rock. It isn't their fault, but it's the sad truth, and this makes me sad.

Stupid is an awful word to use when refering to a child. I would never use that word. They may be uneducated but not stupid