Funny. I just read this myself, and thought really hard about starting the same thread.
To initially make my side of this clear:
If there was a kid/no kid section, I'd be sitting happily in the "no kid" section.
To parents: I like you, and your kids just fine. I also respect the incredible amount of work and sacrifice you've chosen to make for your kids. Thank you for being parents. In a few years, I'll try it myself. In the meantime...
I'd like to enjoy my time, without the screaming.
It's really about location, more than anything. Say I'm at the mall, and there are loud kids. Who cares? I'm at a large public noisy gathering place. I'd be happy if there was no ramptant rioting of the little ones, but my standards for quietness are much looser in such a location.
There are however, places unlike the mall where we adults go to have pleasant conversation and relaxation. You parents remember those places? You used to go to them before you had kids.
This lady summed up the attitude problem:
Quote:
|
"I think that the mothers who allow their kids to run around and scream, that's wrong, but kids scream and there is nothing you can do about it. What are we supposed to do, not enjoy ourselves at a cafe?"
|
See, you CAN do somthing about it. Instead of letting your kid scream, you can remove them from the area. I guess it's because I got spanked by my parents when I misbehaved, and because we DID abrubtly leave places when me or my sister wouldn't stop whatever it was. I also remember my parents being PISSED at us when that happend. Like everyone else they did want to have a nice dinner out, in a pleasent environment, and thier kids took that away from them. Unlike many parents, they made the sacrifice instead of making everyone else around them make it.
You have a right to a kid, and I support your decision to face that challenge. I haven't made that choice, and I do want to enjoy my peace and quiet. Somtimes, that means being far away from you and your kids.
On the other hand, I can't praise parents of well behaved kids enough. They're maybe 1 in 10, but god bless them.