What is your hot topic? What really gets you going?

[emma'smom]

People who don't value early child education as an essential foundation for academic and social success....and folks who don't see the value of a good college education for professional success, especially in this changing economy.

Note- This is MY pet peeve (and my opinion) and IS NOT a response to the PP who feels differently about the value of a college education. I started typing my response to the thread before reading the other posts and everyone is entitled to their own point of view.

 

[mom2faith]

Just had to comment on this. DD has had to wear a helmet since she was riding a tricycle....my mom finally told me recently that she thought I was going a little overboard on that one although she always respected my wishes and had her wear it. My cousin's daughter had a horrible bike accident that included time in ICU and follow up therapy because she wasn't wearing a helmet - my mom told me she understood why I was so crazy about dd wearing a helmet. The other day I was SHOCKED to see what I presumed was a mother and daughter riding bikes - the mom was wearing a helmet and the daughter wasn't....WHAT ON EARTH??

We ALWAYS make DD wear her helmet - in the bike trailer, on her Power Wheels car, on ther tricycle, etc. We wear ours too to set a good example

Around our small town you would not believe how many kids do not wear helmets on ATVs!! WOW!!!

Yup that bugs me too.

Oh, and for the PP that people assume they are poor - I hate that people assume we are rich. We are not. We do have some debt, but it is small enough that it will be paid off in less than 2 years. And, it was a direct result of the fact that we lost both of our 2000 vehicles on the SAME DAY in April!! We could not continue to repair either of them so we both got 2007 models within days.

On top of that, we are going to Disney 2x in 2 years - so we must have money!!

We do not. We live frugally and budget accordingly. I hate that we have debt from the cars when we were almost 100% debt free before that.

Oh and 1 more - I hate when people ask me when we are having #2!! We have been trying for 3 years and it has not happened. They say "doesn't Faith need a sibling, she can't be alone". I want to scream!! I would love to give her a sibling!! I hate that she is alone!! It breaks my heart!!

(on a high note, we can afford to do Disney 2 years in a row because we only have 1 child - if we had 2, that probably would not be happening).

Finally - I am proud of all of us that this thread has not gotten out of hand!! We have all voiced our opinions in fair manners and no one has flamed anyone!! YEAH!!! Great conversation going on here!!

 

[missfigment]

here's my top 5 pet peeves

1. People who whine about teachers asking too much when we send home a request that Little Johnny needs a new pack of crayons or we are need of paper. These are your kids....we are educating them....but just because its public school doesnt mean you'll never have to buy SOMETHING!

2. Parents who dont parent. When kids act out and are rude....Id like to see that the mom or dad actually handle it and not ignore it.

3. Bringing you pet to the mall or a store....in your purse. I know some people love their doggies...but do they really need to come into Dillards or Target? It's a dog. Not a baby. They sniff other dogs butts and drink out of the toilet. Im sure they'll survive the 30 minutes you run to the grocery store.

4.Celebrity hype...i could care less if Brittany Spears is planning to have another kid or if Brangelina might REALLY split up.

5. Strangers who come up and try to touch my toddler son out of being "friendly." I dont mind benig in a grocery store line and if a cashier or the person behind me tells him what a good boy he is or whatever. But you dont need to touch his hands or face. Ugh!! Look but dont touch people. I dont know you, you may be nice, but I dont want your germs on my kid.

 

[C.Ann]

Parents of young children who make sure their children are buckled up, but the parents aren't.. Nice way to turn the kids into orphans..

Drinking and driving.. I have zero tolerance for that..

People who assume that those who choose not to use credit cards actually "can't" use them because they are "irresponsible"..

People who think they are psychic and can tell just from looking at someone in a scooter or wheelchair that they "don't really have a disability - they're just fat and lazy"..

People who will never, ever admit they are wrong - about anything at all.. Nor do they apologize when they are proven wrong..

 

[FLAgirl73]

You'll love this one then.

There is a girl that I work with (we're both teachers) that just had her 3rd child in June before school got out. I was talking to her before she went out and I asked her what her plans were for next year because a lot of teachers will take a year off to stay home with the baby. She has a 4 year old, 3 year old and now this newborn and her husband is sort of a deadbeat (by her own admission). She told me she was going to "stop working and collect welfare" She said that by the time she put three kids in daycare, her salary would be gone, so she would be better off staying home with them.

Actually, what's really disturbing about this is what a sad commentary it is on both the average teacher's salary and how much the government will dole out to people who are capable but choose not to work.

 

[maxiesmom]

People who throw their cigarette butts out of their car windows! That just irritates the daylights out of me.

Me too!!!!!!!

 

[tartemis]

A lot of my more serious Pet Peeves have already been mentioned.

For a less serious one -- double strollers. I hate them. I hate how much space they take-up; I hate how much more cluttered they make museums, Disney, etc. Absent a disability, little Susie or Johnnie can walk just fine by at least 4.**

**I know most people disagree with me.

 

[MiniGirl]

Love the celebrity hype one. That gets me, too. Like I care who some star is supporting in whatever election or like they are an expert about something because they played a role in some movie. I don't understand the public's fascination with these people.

Another one that hasn't been mentioned yet is dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs. Ugh!!!! Why do they think I want Fido's mess in my yard where my kids are playing? I was a dog owner for almost 13 years, and I know cleaning up after a dog is not pleasant. However, it is part of being a responsible dog owner and neighbor.

 

[mom2faith]

A lot of my more serious Pet Peeves have already been mentioned.

For a less serious one -- double strollers. I hate them. I hate how much space they take-up; I hate how much more cluttered they make museums, Disney, etc. Absent a disability, little Susie or Johnnie can walk just fine by at least 4.**

**I know most people disagree with me.

I agree with you that they are bulky and clutter areas, but as an aunt to 3, I realize the need for a 4 year old in a stroller - it acts as a cage OK I do not mean that literally, but with an active 4 year old and a baby, putting them both in the stroller can help a mom keep an eye on them and know where they are. It prevents wandering off.

Again, I agree with you, but just wanted to point out why some "have to" do it.

 

[Ioansgirl]

People who think it's okay to ask my children personal questions just because we are different colors. They have been asked, "So what was wrong with your real mother?" and "Do you ever get to see your real mother?" I get asked in front of them, "Oh you're a foster parent?" or "All they all yours, all brothers and sisters, etc." We are a real family! One built through adoption, but as real as can be! Nothing was "Wrong" with their birthmoms for choosing adoption.

I know people are just curious and don't realize how their comments sound to my kids. Thankfully we get to talk about all of it, but it gets tiring when it happens day after day.

I grew up with five sibs (one bio and 4 adopted). Our family would get these comments all the time. When strangers asked mom if these were her "real" children my mom always replied "no these are my plastic children, the real children are too loud in the store"

 

[mickeyluvr004]

People who don't have their pets spayed or neutered.
I realize that some animals are show-quality and are bred to improve the breed, but people who breed for these reasons are few and far-between compared to those who allow their pets to reproduce just because "she has papers" while we are killing 10,000 pets per year in my little town alone.

Yes I second this my son's girlfriends mother's cat had another litter of kittens and this is a once a year thing. there is no papers these are just domestic kittens. I get so mad and told my son's girlfriend why doesn't she get them fixed its not fair to continually bring unwanted kittens into this world and she said she can't afford to have them fixed I said well doesn't it cost more to feed all of them tell her to go to the humane society and they will help her and fix them for little or no cost
Some people it just boggles the mind

 

[CapJack]

People who say, "But that's all Johnny will eat," when asked not to bring peanut butter to school. Are you seriously comparing your child's pickiness to my child's life-threatening food allergy??!!

It was nice to vent that, thanks for the thread, OP! --Katie

Kid's are not allowed to bring PB&J sandwiches to school? I have never heard of this. They serve PB&J every day at my daughter's school.

 

[CapJack]

People who think the world revolves around them.

 

[clc053103]

Car seat safety.

And being told by total strangers that I "Have to" have another child (we have 1 child).

 

[barnaby1]

Oh my goodness. All, all, all, all of the above!!!
To add a work pet peeve. I am a nurse in a sugical unit. It drives me crazy when patients ring up for post operative advice and then either ignore you or argue with you when it is not what they wanted to hear! If you don't want my advice then don't waste my time by phoning.

 

[ruthfamilyvacationer]

A lot of my more serious Pet Peeves have already been mentioned.

For a less serious one -- double strollers. I hate them. I hate how much space they take-up; I hate how much more cluttered they make museums, Disney, etc. Absent a disability, little Susie or Johnnie can walk just fine by at least 4.**

**I know most people disagree with me.

I have a 21 month old and a almost 3 year old. I have had a double stroller since my youngest was born and his sister was only 13 1/2 months old. I HATE them as much as you, believe me, but when they are that close in age they are a neccesity.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

People who say that breastfeeding is "unnatural" or tell me that I'm starving my baby because I'm nursing. Not only do these comments confuse me but they make me angry. I am working really hard to do what I think is right for my baby. Why in the world does it bother anyone else? I don't care if people use formula and certainly don't make comments to those who do.

 

[C.Ann]

People who say that breastfeeding is "unnatural" or tell me that I'm starving my baby because I'm nursing. Not only do these comments confuse me but they make me angry. I am working really hard to do what I think is right for my baby. Why in the world does it bother anyone else? I don't care if people use formula and certainly don't make comments to those who do.

Haven't seen you around in quite awhile.. Now I know why - a baby!! Busy, busy, busy..

It seems very strange to me that people would make those kinds of comments to you as it's usually the other way around - mom's criticizing mom's who use formula..

Know what I say? It's a personal choice - strictly your own business..

Congrats!!!

 

[Mommy2Julia&Brynn]

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[LuvBaloo]

I grew up with five sibs (one bio and 4 adopted). Our family would get these comments all the time. When strangers asked mom if these were her "real" children my mom always replied "no these are my plastic children, the real children are too loud in the store"

People who say that breastfeeding is "unnatural" or tell me that I'm starving my baby because I'm nursing. Not only do these comments confuse me but they make me angry. I am working really hard to do what I think is right for my baby. Why in the world does it bother anyone else? I don't care if people use formula and certainly don't make comments to those who do.

I'm amazed somebody told you breastfeeding is unnatural

I'm enjoying this thread! Its great to see all the different pet peeves people have. I'm going to add more of mine:
People who don't leave the toilet lid the way they find it. DH & I both like the toilet lid closed (not just seat down, but lid closed). Everytime we have people in my house, they always leave it open. Please just leave it the way it was. I don't want kids knocking things into the toilet, and I just don't like how it looks.

People who stop in the middle of the aisle to chat with somebody so they are blocking the aisle for everybody else.