another angry rant about out-of-control children
Comments
-
New poster, going back to your original list of examples. I think I know which craft fair you must mean. Did any of your wares get broken by the children? We bought some lovely demitasse cups from you. But just FYI, the fair was always meant to be a multipurpose event, with kids' crafts and a kids' concert a big part of it. Were you misled about that? The lap-running was sort of part of the deal. Just wondering...and writing completely as an individual, not officially. I don't think the kids were misbehaving, because there was no expectation that they behave as if in a restaurant or other decorous place.
-
I agree. Brooklynpotter is speaking of very *specific* instances. Where the "Guest" is taking it as a personal affront to all parents in general. The rant is about specific occurrences that happen to be extreme examples of bad child behavior. This is not about the childless vs. the parents. Even my mom can see this is about outrageously bad behavior and the need for a parent to assume responsibility.
I may be childless, but even my mom has my back on this one :P :P -
brooklynpotter wrote:
It seems to me that parents should keep their young children out of bars, and people who find young children annoying should avoid the Tea Lounge. "Just stay home" is the road to insanity, believe me. Kids should be allowed to run wild in Prospect Park but not in Stone Park. Does that seem reasonable?
--why shouldn't my friend be allowed to go to the tea lounge? why has an atmosphere is "crazy kids only" been allowed to grow in our neighborhood? because if the behavior wasn't allowed, each of us could go wherever we pleased. (and if you're a mom with a kid who's hyper, like my brother was, well, too bad. stay home. it sucks ass all around, but it's your job.) -
GiGi wrote: So, it's hard to just say, "Well, OK, they're kids and they'll grow out of it..."
Or they grow up and turn into my next door neighbors. Talk about lack of limits and boundaries. They're four year olds who write rent checks.
Totally changing my tag line right now, Pitu. -
erikka wrote: [quote=GiGi]So, it's hard to just say, "Well, OK, they're kids and they'll grow out of it..."
Or they grow up and turn into my next door neighbors. Talk about lack of limits and boundaries. They're four year olds who write rent checks.
Totally changing my tag line right now, pitu.
wow - that goes great with the photo! -
-finally, please tell me what the "child-free" people are doing to bother you. we complaining that your children are kicking us?
I have nothing more to add to this conversation, as I am obviously in the wrong spot, but I will answer your question and leave you with a point or 2 to ponder.
- I use the term "child-free" as I have been chastised for using the phrase "childless". I have no problem with people who have no kids. If there is a more politically correct term to use, I apologize. I'm not aware of it--parent bashing. because i can. because these parents ruin nice aspects of my life. because i should be able to go out to brunch without being harassed. because i should be able to spend an afternoon in the park without being physically hurt (unless i'm so clumsy i trip...)
Why does that rule not apply both ways? You mentioned that the person who asked why my child was screaming was an ass. I agree. For better or worse, this world works both ways. I am so sorry children ruin your day. Sometimes they ruin mine too. I'd lump cab drivers and huge fat men on the subway who sit with their legs wide open in there too.
I think it is truly insulting to criticize an entire group of people just because one can. I have no doubt if I had started a thread saying "take your bars and nightclubs and leave, you hipsters" I would be drawn and quartered.
The sense of entitlement flows both ways. I agree with Rose. A responsible parent - of which there are many - don't take their kids to 4 star restaurants or late movies. On the other hand, I think if you go to a place that is universally known as "kid-friendly", one should expect there to be kids there. Why purposefully put yourself in a situation where your day could be upset?
And for the record, a responsible parent will chose to have brunch outside with the kids rather than inside. It is very early in the day, and there is less of a chance the child will feel cooped up and upset other diners.
I think it is unreasonable to expect people with children to "just stay home".
As I said in a previous post, isn't there something more constructive one can do besides baiting an argument?
Here's me being sorry I took the bait. You win. -
Mamacita wrote: Yeah, thanks for your input "Jamzer."
You are welcome! Happy to help.
We'll all treasure it. -
I think the issue is not whether or not the parent are at fault (beacuse I think we can all agree that sometimes they are, and sometimes they are not), but how parents respond when their children do misbehave in public. If a parent seeks to intervene, apologize where appropriate, remove their child from the situation and otherwise ACT LIKE A PARENT, I don't think that this becomes a rant.
Its when the parent ignores the behavior, or acts like its not an imposition on others, or smiles and says something ridiculous like "Isn't she special?" that rants start.
Let me put it this way, at a kid-friendly place assume that any of the behavior brooklynpotter mentioned happened but the victim was another child. If one child kicked another or interrupted a child who is doing their homework (this is the closest I could get to an interview) or knocks over another child's lunch or broke another child's toy I would expect the parent to step in and intervene.
So while I completely understand that sometimes the behavior is not the parent's fault, how parents choose to respond to that behavior may lead folks to talk bad about them and their kids. -
Jamzer wrote: [quote=Mamacita]Yeah, thanks for your input "Jamzer."
You are welcome! Happy to help.
We'll all treasure it.
-
What annoys me is the moms who bring their kids and stollers into bars. Ummm WTF? Take Union Hall for example on Saturday and Sunday there are tons of mommies with strollers in there. A bar is so not the place for a child.
-
Anonymous wrote: What annoys me is the moms who bring their kids and stollers into bars. Ummm WTF? Take Union Hall for example on Saturday and Sunday there are tons of mommies with strollers in there. A bar is so not the place for a child.
One of my co-workers used to do that--she'd purposely have her nanny bring her kid to the office so she could bring it to happy hour, then would a) drink while holding the baby (not excessively--besides, damn, that takes skill) and b) would complain when people would either smoke or bump into them! :roll: It was rather obnoxious.
That said, there's no way I'm getting into this debate! (If it matters, yes, I'm child-free, but I'm also in my early twenties and want kids in the future) -
Don't get me started on Park Slope parents and their strollers. I understand that strollers these days are very large BUT I don't understand why people can't fold them up once they've entered a small establishment. I cannot tell you how many times I've been bumped during a meal because Mommy & Daddy are too lazy to fold up the Bugaboo before entering a tiny restaurant. Or merchandise being broken in a store because you've decided to bulldoze through. I've seen it done before. Here's how it works: one of you holds the little bundle of joy while the other folds it up. DONE!
I respect that you have kids but it shouldn't effect everyone you come into contact with! -
homeowner wrote: I think the issue is not whether or not the parent are at fault (beacuse I think we can all agree that sometimes they are, and sometimes they are not), but how parents respond when their children do misbehave in public. If a parent seeks to intervene, apologize where appropriate, remove their child from the situation and otherwise ACT LIKE A PARENT, I don't think that this becomes a rant.
IMHO the above should be the final word(s) on the subject. Well done, homeowner.
Its when the parent ignores the behavior, or acts like its not an imposition on others, or smiles and says something ridiculous like "Isn't she special?" that rants start.
Let me put it this way, at a kid-friendly place assume that any of the behavior brooklynpotter mentioned happened but the victim was another child. If one child kicked another or interrupted a child who is doing their homework (this is the closest I could get to an interview) or knocks over another child's lunch or broke another child's toy I would expect the parent to step in and intervene.
So while I completely understand that sometimes the behavior is not the parent's fault, how parents choose to respond to that behavior may lead folks to talk bad about them and their kids. -
sometimes these park slope kids make it hard for me to be pro-life.
-
homeowner, you're dead on.
i think we should make up printouts of your posting and hand them out on the street. -
I dont know where all you people go - I mean I have a kid but I used not and plenty of times I'm w/o a child and I have to say that I havent had all these bad kid experiences that everyone else seems to say are rampant. Occassionally when I go to a late movie I am upset by a parent who brings their child or children - but most restaurants, coffee shops stores, etc... I frequent seem to have reasonably well behaved children with reasonably attentive parents - if I even notice (which I generally dont) - although as posted above - what generally gets my attention and makes me most uncomfortable is being around the parent intent on having their child behave under the threat of physical force or a torrent of insults.
That being said - I think Brklyngirl (and a few others) are accurate in reading more into BP original post then mere annoyance at not getting an apology from the parents - I mean the mom of the kite flyers did apparently appoligize and really are kids not allowed to run up stairs and shout on a public street during the day? -
All I know is that I'm going to shoot myself if another Park Slope kid/stroller/baby discussion is posted. I mean, come on.
-
friendlypitbull wrote: I dont know where all you people go - I mean I have a kid but I used not and plenty of times I'm w/o a child and I have to say that I havent had all these bad kid experiences that everyone else seems to say are rampant. Occassionally when I go to a late movie I am upset by a parent who brings their child or children - but most restaurants, coffee shops stores, etc... I frequent seem to have reasonably well behaved children with reasonably attentive parents - if I even notice (which I generally dont) - although as posted above - what generally gets my attention and makes me most uncomfortable is being around the parent intent on having their child behave under the threat of physical force or a torrent of insults.
I totally agree with you. Where are these mobs of unsupervised toddlers running amok, kicking people and harassing them in restaurants?
That being said - I think Brklyngirl (and a few others) are accurate in reading more into BP original post then mere annoyance at not getting an apology from the parents - I mean the mom of the kite flyers did apparently appoligize and really are kids not allowed to run up stairs and shout on a public street during the day?
It's a crowded city, people bump into each other. An apology really should be sufficient.
I will take kids running and shouting on the street anytime over the people who come out of Bar 4 late at night and scream at each other in front of my house. -
Maybe it is just that in NY we are on top of each other and more easily annoyed. Yes, no question there is a style of laissez faire parenting that is completely annoying. And I am not one of those people who thinks that all kinds of outbursts from kids are cute--that we are lucky to be hearing that angelic glass shattering shriek. But kids are full of energy and vitality and maybe sometimes what you consider rude, some parents perceive as normal kids being kids. I mean honestly I have a different level of noise tolerance now that I have them because I am kind of used to a different kind of energy (Although my kids KNOW that they must behave in public and they have indoor voices, outdoor voices and restaurant voices so I am not a laissez faire parent).
Also for those that haven't had to do this, it is not that easy to take a sleeping baby out of a stroller and fold it up and then prop the sleeping baby on your lap or in your arms as you grocery shop or grab a bite to eat. -
If indeed it takes a village, our (american) village needs a public thrashing. We need a village green for stockades!! WE need to reintroduce shame, and a good ole brooklyn adult to child SCOLDING!!
WHy should old ladies have all the fun?!!
Don't go to the entitled, arrogant mom! Look straight into those (still learning) toddler eyes and say IN YOUR BEST GROWN UP VOICE,"That is NOT ok!" "Pick that up!" "You! Come back here and apologize!" Insert your own quote here, but really folks, the parents are indulging these kids, making it look bad for those of us who actually discipline our children.
If I hear "OK, Alex, say you're sorry to the lady" I will VOMIT!! I do NOT accept 3rd party apologies. I get mine straight from the kid, and FUCK that entitled Park Slope mom!!
Signed,
An in you face PS mom. -
I work in a wine store and you would be surprised at how many parents let their children run amok in there. One guy was actually going to let his son ride his scooter in the store! I constantly have to tell other people's kids not to touch the window display, not to hold the door open for no reason when it's freezing outside, not to chase each other up and down the aisles, etc. The parents are usually totally oblivious until I say something to their kids. Then they half-heartedly tell their kids to stop.
This isn't to say that I don't see some really great parents in the store though. Some parents sit their kids down near the door and I don't even notice them because they are so well-behaved. But how hard is it to realize that a small child should not be allowed to run rampant in a store filled with glass bottles? It just seems like common sense to me.
P.S. I don't hate kids.
-
Jonnofor wrote: New poster, going back to your original list of examples. I think I know which craft fair you must mean. Did any of your wares get broken by the children? We bought some lovely demitasse cups from you. But just FYI, the fair was always meant to be a multipurpose event, with kids' crafts and a kids' concert a big part of it. Were you misled about that? The lap-running was sort of part of the deal. Just wondering...and writing completely as an individual, not officially. I don't think the kids were misbehaving, because there was no expectation that they behave as if in a restaurant or other decorous place.
just a reply to jonnofer:
thank you for buying my demitasse cups. if you're the woman with the handsome red-haired husband; he's darling, and he came back specifically to get you the cups because he saw how much you loved them. i'm envious, you're very lucky.
my wares did not get broken, if only because i pulled the organizer of the event over and had her stand in front of my table during the sing along portion of the day. but there were a lot of close calls.
when i decided to sell at this fair i was promised i'd be in a safe place in the corner. the man next to me was as well; he had lovely little wooden toys. we made sure to be in these places because we knew we had breakables and wanted to keep them safe.
and i disagree that there was no misbehaving: when children and running laps through the room, or lapping the room on scooters, when the room is filled with craft vendors, and the kids keep smashing into the vendors, and i'd hear parents call very softly to their kids as they ran by (hey, stop running) and then keep talking to their friends. i'm sorry but that's not ok. i had to pull half my stuff off my table, as did the man next to me.
maybe the idea of a craft fair amidst this craft day was a bad one, but , once again, WHY WHY WHY are we finding a million reasons to excuse bad behavior?
the running kids, i will add, ruined some of the crafts that other little kids made, and ironically, just like a poster above me said, (homeowner? i don't remember), the kids were disciplined when they wrecked their peer's things.
and i'll tell you that numerous parents came up to me to tell me that they couldn't believe i hadn't packed up and left hours before. -
The Chipster wrote:
So parents are supposed to correct their children... psychically? Or are children supposed to be born knowing how to behave?
If I hear "OK, Alex, say you're sorry to the lady" I will VOMIT!! I do NOT accept 3rd party apologies. I get mine straight from the kid, and FUCK that entitled Park Slope mom!!
Signed,
An in you face PS mom.
Jeez, lady. I'm a traditionalist parent, but you take the cake -- even a parent correcting a kid makes you furious. -
You obviously haven't read the previous 82 posts. I tried to point this out several times, but this rant was started by someone in a bad mood, who admitted it.
the horse is dead. Stop beating it. -
dead horse taste good!
-
Before it is pronounced dead - can I request that all you people who seem to experience these out-of-control children all the time, please bust out the video camera on the phone and record it for those of us who think you just might be exaggerating a bit - no video=it didnt happen
-
Anonymous wrote: You obviously haven't read the previous 82 posts. I tried to point this out several times, but this rant was started by someone in a bad mood, who admitted it.
'Scuse me, but was that directed at me? 'Cause I did read all the previous posts, and I was responding to something the Chipster had just said. If it wasn't directed at me, would you mind quoting so we know who you're directing your inane comment at? There's nothing more tiresome than someone who joins a discussion at the end just to say, "This discussion bores me, so I command you to stop talking about it."
the horse is dead. Stop beating it.
Also, I second the idea of filming these alleged egregious violations of etiquette by the rugrats of the Slope. I think this could be a great success on YouTube. I know I'd click through. -
All of this is indicative of the me-first attitude that seems to exist all over NYC, and to an extreme extent in PS.
If you are a doctor who HAS to have his cell phone on at all times because you are on call that night, guess what? YOU DON'T GET TO GO TO THE MOVIES OR TO A PLAY THAT NIGHT. You made a choice to be a doctor, why do I have to have a play or movie ruined because of it?
If your child can't behave properly in a nice restaurant, guess what? YOU DON'T GET TO GO TO NICE RESTAURANTS WITH YOUR CHILDREN. You decided to have children, and either not teach them manners or simply bring them to dinner before they are ready, but now my meal is worse for it.
If you have a baby asleep in a stroller, and taking the baby out and folding up the stroller is too much of a pain, but you really want to go into that cute but crowded boutique store, guess what? YOU DON'T GET TO GO INTO THE STORE AND RUIN OTHER PEOPLE'S SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.
Grrrrrrrr.
I'm sure we could all come up with more examples.
This city is such a survival test sometimes, I know people have to self-armor just to get through the day, and make sure they get what they need.
Unfortunately, people too often confuse "want" with "need."
(That's right, I'm looking at you Mr.-Eating-Pork-Fried-Rice-in-a-very-unsteady-looking-container-on-the-crowded-rush-hour-subway-car.) -
TuckPendleton wrote:
fyi, call schedules often change at the last minute. you know, so there's someone available in case YOU GET SICK.
If you are a doctor who HAS to have his cell phone on at all times because you are on call that night, guess what? YOU DON'T GET TO GO TO THE MOVIES OR TO A PLAY THAT NIGHT. You made a choice to be a doctor, why do I have to have a play or movie ruined because of it?
also, if you're in a department without many doctors (full disclosure: like my father, who is the responsible for all the children with a long list of specific illnesses in his entire STATE, not to mention morally responsible for those who he has been in charge of the care for previous jobs) you may be on call ALL OF THE TIME.
now, it is also true that he engineered a light for his old school, static-spewing beeper even in the early 80's, before silent modes, specifically so that he would not disturb other people at the piano concerts that keep him sane. But maybe he just shouldn't have chosen to be a doctor, just like his patients shouldn't have chosen to get sick. So selfish. -
Also, I second the idea of filming these alleged egregious violations of etiquette by the rugrats of the Slope. I think this could be a great success on YouTube. I know I'd click through.
Instead of "Cops" we'd have "Tots"??
Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
- 40K All Categories
- 27.1K Neighborhoods
- 5.1K Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
- 7.1K Prospect Heights
- 2.3K Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy
- 8K Park Slope
- 549 Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick
- 442 Flatbush/Midwood/Ditmas Park
- 657 BoCoCa (Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens)
- 151 Red Hook
- 104 Gowanus
- 304 Bay Ridge/Bensonhurst
- 130 Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay
- 270 Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO and Downtown
- 598 Windsor Terrace / Kensington
- 673 Greenwood Heights and Sunset Park
- 749 Brooklyn and Beyond
- 6.3K Stuff
- 86 Brooklyn Back When
- 1.2K Brooklyn Pets
- 257 Brooklyn Kids
- 241 Brooklyn Eats
- 51 Brooklyn Booze
- 3.6K The Lounge / Random Stuff
- 611 Brooklyn Politics
- 122 Brooklyn Sports and Fitness
- 111 Brooklyn Photos
- 339 Site Issues
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 6.2K Listings
- 1.1K APARTMENTS and REAL ESTATE
- 1.3K Sales Openings Events
- 2.3K The Classifieds