What is wrong with parents?

[TomD]

Call me rude but on Memorial day Weekend we had a lady try pushing in front of my oldest DD who was looking over the railing at the train station. I kindly asked the lady to move. She looked at me and then waved her friend over. Then I not so kindly moved her out of the way and let my kid get back where she was. I explained to her friend we had been sitting there for 40 minutes and it was rude to push people out of the way.

The lady got the message and moved down the line trying to get in front of other familes. I do not think she had much luck.

 

[CampbellScot]

Call me rude but on Memorial day Weekend we had a lady try pushing in front of my oldest DD who was looking over the railing at the train station. I kindly asked the lady to move. She looked at me and then waved her friend over. Then I not so kindly moved her out of the way and let my kid get back where she was. I explained to her friend we had been sitting there for 40 minutes and it was rude to push people out of the way.

The lady got the message and moved down the line trying to get in front of other familes. I do not think she had much luck.

There is nothing wrong with standing up for your daughter! Especially when it was an adult being so rude!!! Good for you!!! If nice manners don't work then you have to stand up!

 

[ukcatfan]

Now I have to admit, it drives me nuts to see people use an EMPTY stroller as a barrier. If your kids have a great spot on the curb, why not move the EMPTY stroller so that others can occupy that prime space?

You must not use a stroller very often. We often have hundreds of dollars worth of stuff in/on our stroller (cameras, purses, purchases, etc.). Placing it behind you is a thief's dream come true. As magiacal as it seems, there are people that go to WDW every day just to steal. A parade is prime time for stealing b/c you are not paying attention to your stuff. Nobody else is watching out for your stuff but you. I usually put it in between my kids at the front and me to not take up front row space, but if the situation to do that is not practical, then I have no problem keeping it up front.

I saw a thief get caught in the act one night on Main St. by the Plaza restaurant. He had no idea that there were more people, hanging back a few feet from the parade line, that were with someone that had their stroller behind them up at the curb. I just heard a loud, "STOP! Thief! That's my bag!" WDW undercover security was on the guy in probably five seconds flat. It was a very large camera bag with presumably thousands of dollars worth of equipment in it.

Please try to understand that there are very valid reasons to keep that stroller in view.

Kevin

 

[elwise1966]

Manners just aren't important to most people anymore. It just seems that nowadays (I can't believe I said that...I'm 26!) it is a common belief that "your kid" and his rights are more important than the rights of others...get your kid what s/he wants at all costs. It's really disgusting the way children are so overindulged and self centered. for some reason it's worse at Disneyworld! The rampant notion that b/c it's "disney" that children, no matter how ill mannered they may be, should be allowed to do anything they want, get the best seats, shove in front of others, scream and shout at all hours of the day or night (at the resorts), ruins the experience for so many others. I WEEP for our future.

To the OP--my 7 year old step daughter would have done EXACTLY the same thing your little one did, she'd have smooshed over and tried to accommodate the pushy aggressive child. It's such a fine line making sure that your kids aren't total pushovers but making them aware that they are not the center of the universe. Had I been you I'd have told the little girl that the spot was taken and to go and find her mother.

It used to be that if parents saw a child, any child, being rude, they would say something and correct the behavior or at least make it known to the parent. (I was raised in Texas and this is the way it was when I was little)The parent of the offending child would usually be shocked and correction would take place. But in the GIMME world we live in now, those children who have been taught appropriate manners and to be mindful of the world around them end up losing out. It takes a village people.

Unfortunately, I have to agree. Manners are not taught to children like they were in my day.
It's becoming a lost art...

 

[Dalton5]

My kids who are now 13, 13, and 17 have always been taught "hold your ground". They now know how to politely rebuff pushy people (and that includes other kids of all ages).
They also know better than to push themselves in front of others.

We all just have to face the fact that there are some very rude and inconsiderate people in the world. Maybe if they get backed down enough times they will learn. (But, I doubt it)

 

[LisaFB]

I just heard a loud, "STOP! Thief! That's my bag!" WDW undercover security was on the guy in probably five seconds flat.

It's good to know that security there is pretty tight!

 

[Karnak]

I just don't know what is wrong with some people.

Your post, along with others on this thread, makes me very glad that I'm not a parade person. I never could understand why people wait for a long time to watch a parade when they could be enjoying other attractions with shorter lines because of the crowds awating the parade.

But I'm glad so many do like parades because it makes it so much easier to tour a park if one plans accordingly.

Enjoy.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Your post, along with others on this thread, makes me very glad that I'm not a parade person. I never could understand why people wait for a long time to watch a parade when they could be enjoying other attractions with shorter lines because of the crowds awating the parade.

But I'm glad so many do like parades because it makes it so much easier to tour a park if one plans accordingly.

Enjoy.

I usually only see Spectro, but lots of people enjoy watching parades as much as the rides.

 

[dawgsgirl]

Not a parade story, but--a couple of weeks ago we were in a line to get into the preshow of HISTK. There was a family with 5 little kids, all with red t-shirts, and the kids were just running wild! They were running around and through the line and swinging on the ropes--well, you get the idea. As the line moved and we drew closer, I could read the t-shirts. They all said "Raised by Elves." We had a GOOD laugh about that one!

 

[ukcatfan]

It's good to know that security there is pretty tight!

I do not know if it was luck or if there really are that many security people lurking around, but it certainly made that guy's day. If he had not been standing back and keeping an eye on his stuff though, security would have never known and his stuff would have been long gone. Think about how many people push through the crowds during a parade trying to get to the gates. Something distracting like a parade is perfect for criminals. Who is really going to notice if someone stops for a few seconds acting like they are watching the parade, sets a few bags down, then moves on a minute later with one more bag than they started with?

 

[CheshireVal]

It used to be that if parents saw a child, any child, being rude, they would say something and correct the behavior or at least make it known to the parent. (I was raised in Texas and this is the way it was when I was little)The parent of the offending child would usually be shocked and correction would take place. But in the GIMME world we live in now, those children who have been taught appropriate manners and to be mindful of the world around them end up losing out. It takes a village people.

So true. Over the past 10-15 years or so, there's been a complete paradigm shift when it comes to parenting. Now, you can see on the Community Board any given day that parents aren't as supportive of others disciplining their kids.... even teachers. These days every kid is perfect and is deserving of extra-special treatment, even if it comes at the expense of others.

Behavior at Disney tends to be the worst example because, as someone mentioned earlier, the attitude is "my kids are at Disney and are entitled to anything they want." It's sad, really.

Of course not all parents are like this, but it seems to be getting more and more common...

 

[NotUrsula]

Regarding all these parade issues, I can tell you that the problems with parades are primarily caused by WDW.

The underlying problem is that the parade designs that they use are for the most part unsuitable for the viewing environment. Any good float designer can tell you that WDW's floats are almost universally too low to the ground, given the average depth of the crowd, the fact that there are almost no high vantage points from which to watch, and very limited setback distances from the route. The floats should be designed so that the lowest of the decorated surfaces is a minimum of 3 feet off the ground -- 5 would be better. The idea being to get the bulk of the decoration and the riders above the head of the average standing adult. The fact that so much of the action takes place at ground level encourages spectators to jockey for curb position and to watch while seated on the ground; both of these behaviours are bad things from a crowd management perspective.

When crowd density is as high as it is at WDW, no spectators other than the disabled should be permitted to view the parade from a seated position. When everyone has to stand (yes, I'm including children, who either stand or are held by adults), no one will be standing in front of the seated. Strollers should be BANNED for a distance of 10-15 ft. back from the route. Having strollers in amongst the crowd is a serious evacuation hazard, especially after dark. (While I've never heard of it happening during a WDW parade, floats have been known to overheat and catch fire, especially those with enclosed engines. Float decoration components tend to give off noxious fumes if they catch fire.) What that means is that just as when you go on a ride, you take the child and the valuables out and you park the stroller in a designated storage area. It also means that the number of people who will stake out a prime spot hours in advance will be greatly reduced if they are not allowed to sit on a public thoroughfare while waiting.

 

[disneynewbee]

I'm the OP and I just wanted to reply to a couple comments and clarify some things.
1. The blanket we laid down was a small infant blanket only big enough for the 5 kids we had with us not a large blanket taking up all the room
2. both strollers we had on the curb had infants in them not just empty taking up space
3. The only reason I didn't say anything is because there were several people between us and the lady and I would have had to yell to her which would have been quite embarassing and I didn't want to say anything to the kid because I just don't feel right saying anything directly to the child. I don't want to say "this spot is taken" to the child and have her tell her mom "this mean lady said I have to move" and have a parent freak out on me in front of my kids. I've learned that what you say to a child is not always what they hear.
4.I do believe in being polite and sharing but not at the expense of my own children.
5. Only two of the kids were up and out of there seats out of 5 and that is because some cast members encouraged them to get up and dance.
6. I don't think letting people take advantage of you equals politeness you can be polite while still saying no. I would have loved to talk to the mom and say no but it our case it wasn't possible.
7. Would you really let a kid sit between you and your kid during the parade on your very first trip out of politeness?

I think that's it.

 

[LisaFB]

7. Would you really let a kid sit between you and your kid during the parade on your very first trip out of politeness?

I think that's it.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!! IN fact, even if it wasn't their first trip, I'd want my kids right next to me in any overcrowded situation.

 

[Iott Family]

you have my sympathies. I did not read all the posts in this thread but I skimmed thru and let me tell you we were there in dec 2004 watching the 3pm parade, and we werent in the first row but bacl by Casey's, at MK and our then 10 month old was in his stroller watching/napping and along comes a girl the size of my then 7 year old DS and climbs into and stands on my 10month old DS to see the parade! Her mother had the nerve to tell me she wasnt hurting anyone while my DS is screaming and tells me to shut my brat up that he is a hypocondriate(sp). So yeah, what is it with some parents besides they have their heads up their butts!

 

[mom2my3kids]

We only did two parades, the car parade and MNSSHP parade. Both times we had wonderful people in front of us, that offered for our children to either sit beside them or let them up front when they were handing out candy. I made sure to thank them they really didn't have to do that but did. I understand your frustration it would of made me angry also.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

I agree with the OP. We were at the Holiday Hollywood parade at MGM two weeks ago and got there 30 minutes ahead and stood behind a little family that had obviously gotten there way before. Just before the parade started, a whole bunch of little kids squirmed in front of me and literally on top of the family in front of us. They were stepping all over them - I was shocked. I looked behund me and there was their mother, encouraging them to push their way forward! I thought it was just a completely rude, ignorant person, but apparently (and sadly) it's a regular occurence. From now on, I'm definitely going to say something. That's just not right!!

I agree with the OP that some of us try to be nice and try to remember that we're in the Happiest Place on Earth, but why should we let these rude people get away with such awful behavior?? Honestly, if someone asked me if their kids could slide in, I probably would be fine with it.

 

[seashoreCM]

I didn't want to say anything to the kid because I just don't feel right saying anything directly to the child. I don't want to say "this spot is taken" to the child and have her tell her mom "this mean lady said I have to move" it.

I beg to differ. I think you ought to say that because if you don't, who else will teach the kid? At least the kid will understand just the four words, "this spot is taken."

Associates degree in ancient languages needed to understand what follows:

In other words other adults need to act in loco parentis towards these unmannered kids.

 

[disneynewbee]

Your right in hindsite I probably should have said something but at the time I was almost in shock and I kept waiting for the lady to call her kid back figuring she would at any moment but it never happened and then I realized the parent was actually encouraging her but I didn't want to make a scene in front of the poor people between us. We still had a great time by the way for those who saw those Christmas party fireworks weren't they the best thing you have ever seen.

 

[NemoMOm]

I am so sorry you had this problem. You sound like you are lot like me. I don't feel that should say anything for fear of causing problems but I wonder why people think they can get away with what they do.
A few weeks ago we took out 22 mos DS to a children's concert. (They are on the Dis channel so you would know them ). We had to buy tickets for DS cause he was over 12mos. So, we in essence spent $80 for 2 seats since he still wants to sit in mama's lap. So, I put our things in our assigned, empty chair thinking I bet someone will come along and make a fuss. I've heard this happening on planes even though the parents pay for the child's ticket.

Sure enough, a man comes over and says " You need to move your stuff!" I replied "I'm sorry sir but this is our seat" he then replied "It's mine, move!" DH got up and asked hime to please talk nicer to his family and showed him tickets that showed him they were our seats. The man shoved his tickets in my DH's face where my husband then informed him that he was 5 rows up front. Instead of apologizing for his manner or error, he then told DH that he should watch his mouth or he would beeping knock him out with is 3 old daughter next to him. I was so scared because the man was leaning over me and I had DS on my lap.