Screaming Kids – My Problem or Yours?

This is a conversation we had on facebook awhile back. You may have participated as many had an opinion to share. Please feel free to share yours as well but if 20 something ladies can discuss this without pointing fingers or being mean on facebook I expect the same here.

The question:

Do you think a parent should learn to keep their kids in check or that people should just deal with kids or go elsewhere?

For instance I’ve seen many neglected kids at the mall because their parents are talking on their cell phones or busy shopping and their kids are screaming, running around, and being complete brats. It takes everything I have to tell the mother that her kids are out of control.
Maybe I’m lucky that my kids just behave. Or maybe I’ve just done a good job of parenting either way my kids would never run around in a store.
Another example I’ve seen is the child throwing a complete tantrum in an isle for a toy. The parent who is refusing to give in decides that they are going to ignore the child. Good for you. But when the child is now four isles down screaming like someone cut off their arm should I really have to deal with it. What are you teaching your child then? Shouldn’t you at that point get your child under control or exit the store? When does it stop being a lesson that you won’t buy whatever they want and starts becoming a show of how many peoples attention they can get. Regardless if it is not bothering you…it is bothering someone else.

I strongly believe that when out our children shouldn’t ruin other peoples outings. I get some parents don’t have support at home (military, health, etc) and need to get stuff done but I also feel that children shouldn’t run the show because they know you need to be there. I have definitely dropped everything in my hands and walked out of the store (even things I needed badly) and went home because my children couldn’t behave. Once you get home though you can’t send them off to play- you send them to bed or some other form of punishment. This way the next time they know there are consequences to their actions. I promise you if you do it and stick to it you won’t be doing it all the time.

I think people who don’t have children or leave them home should have a right to not deal with it as well. Everyone else there shouldn’t have to “deal” so one mom doesn’t have to. When I FINALLY get one hour in three weeks to run somewhere without my kids I do NOT want to spend it listening to someone else’s screaming child.

I also understand our kids have issues to and sometimes they are unavoidable. The 2 mins of crying in the isle for the cereal with a toy. People around you should tolerate that. Not only tolerate it but pat you on the back. I just can’t stand when I have to deal with screaming kids when the parents feel others around them should have to deal with it because they do. Remember they are yours, you have to love them unconditionally. We don’t.

I would love to know your feelings on this subject.
I feel even in my age group responsibility and consequence are so lacking. Treating people with respect and manners are just out the door.