Pet Peeve: Bringing Kids Everywhere You Go

By Coldhearted
Published/Last Modified on Friday, October 9, 2009 5:14 AM CDT

OK, what is the deal with these parents who act like they can't set foot out of the house without hauling their little crumbsnatchers with them?  I mean EVERYWHERE!!!  I have been to a Christmas party at a beautiful antebellum house which was absolutely ruined by one couple who brought their 3 and 5 year olds with them, who proceeded to run up and down the center hall yelling the whole time.  Common sense would tell most reasonable people that this would have been a good time to get a babysitter.  And don't even get me started on restaurants.  I understand that it's OK at family-style restaurants (hence the term), but I miss the ethos of the old LeRosier which banned anyone under  age 12.  Just because you think your little angels are adorable, believe me, the rest of us do not!  And before I get all of these preachy responses about the miracle of birth, and so on and so forth, let me tell you:  birth is NOT a miracle.  Hundreds and thousands of babies are born every day, it is mundane.  It would be a miracle if a cow gave birth to a human baby, but the little fruit of your loins is very, very ordinary and you should please stop inflicting these ankle-biters on people in what are supposed to be adult situations.  YES, I am coldhearted, and NO, I don't hate children, I just believe that you should know which situations are appropriate for you to bring them to.  Keep them at home until they are old enough to behave.

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Comments

    To Mother of 2 wrote on Oct 25, 2009 9:37 PM:

    " If you're one of those irresponsible parents who don't know how to teach your children to behave, it does become everyone's concern. This isn't a question of getting used to kids being around; it's a question of parents actually parenting! What a radical idea. It doesn't matter how much money you have to afford a babysitter or not. It's whether you know how to raise a child to behave in public. Take whatever you want personally. We'll take it equally personally when your children cause a racquet. "

    Mother of 2 wrote on Oct 22, 2009 2:39 PM:

    " First of all, children will be everywhere so you might want to get used to it. They are part of this world too, sorry if this disappoints you. Maybe you should go live in a cave somewhere so that you don't have to deal with them. I take it personally when someone like you decides to write an article about such situations. Not everyone can find babysitters when needed, I am one of those people so if I need to go somewhere, the kids are coming with me whether you like it or not…. sorry pal! "

    MOTHER OF 5 GIRLS wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:31 AM:

    " I have 5 girls and all parents need time without their kids.I totally agree.My girls are not perfect we do try to take them places but sometimes parents do need time away it is not being a bad parent it is life.Coldhearted is not tryng to make people mad he is just stating hs opinion since when is that a crime.If you do take your child somewhere make sure they act right and you wouldn't be offended by this. "

    You are right wrote on Oct 21, 2009 11:33 PM:

    " I totally agree with you. I have 2 kids and if they can't behave I don't take them. I like to go places without my kids sometimes, just my husband and I. I sure don't want to be around screaming kids who don't behave. I also think you are correct about birth not being a miracle. I sure as heck didn't see being in labor a miracle. It was just painful and something that is just natural, no miracle involved, just biology. Thanks. "

    Couldnt have said it better wrote on Oct 21, 2009 10:21 PM:

    " I fully agree with "cold hearted!" The problem starts with them being "ankle-biters" and only gets worse as they get older. Not all people plan to have children and that is the problem. If you do not want to raise them to be well mannered and well behaved then keep your legs closed or your zippers zipped whichever fits! It is ridiculous seeing deputies bringing children to school because "the parents couldn't get them to listen." I do not have children now but when I do they will be well behaved just as I was raised to be! "

    gotta love em wrote on Oct 20, 2009 9:54 AM:

    " I believe that if children are not taken anywhere then they will never know how to behave, but the teaching begins in the home. What those kids did at that party is a reflection of what they do at home. Teach them at home and then it is applied when in public. I think that if a child is allowed to behave erratic, then they will act that way as young adults. "

    My Thoughts wrote on Oct 19, 2009 12:34 PM:

    " I bet if you slapped the life out of those parents everytime their child was bad it wouldn't take long before the Parent learned how to get the point across to their children. I've watched as parents ignored their children in public. A child can learn at a young age faster than an adult. Put it on them early and you can bring them anywhere. Don't and the only place you'll be welcome is the zoo. You know, even an animal can be trained to behave. Parents get with it. You are the problem!!! "

    My thoughts wrote on Oct 19, 2009 10:35 AM:

    " My daughter is 6 years old. We bring her everywhere we go too. The only difference is we put the fear of God in her as a young child and she is well mannered. We didn't use the TIME OUT method because our parents didn't use it with us. If you can't control your children at 3-5 years of age what are you going to do with them at 15. The problem is not the children, it the wingnut parents who have allowed their children to be the BOSS. One good one at a young age should work well. "

    Marie wrote on Oct 18, 2009 11:49 AM:

    " I agree with the lady who thinks there
    are places to bring children and
    places that are not. I think it is unfair
    to the people around you if you are
    not keeping your children under control.
    I am glad she had the nerve to speak
    up. Some will be offended but this was
    not a personal attactk just a personal
    observation. Thanks for expressing
    your oponion "

    Qwerty wrote on Oct 17, 2009 3:05 PM:

    " Great post Coldhearted, I could not agree more. "

    BAM wrote on Oct 16, 2009 3:27 PM:

    " Hah! I knew Cold Hearted would snap. I do the trouncing woman now get back in the kiitchen and polish that silverware. "

    Coldhearted wrote on Oct 15, 2009 8:22 PM:

    " THANK YOU, PEOPLE!!! Some of you are finally getting it!!! I generally find that if a statement makes someone uncomfortable, it's because it applies to them. And as for you, BAM, are you off base! Ha Ha, I am not a gay dinner party queen, I am a 34 year old WOMAN who does not fan out magazines. And I hope you get your stereotyping self severely trounced by a bunch of San Francisco residents for your gross generalization! "

    Chell wrote on Oct 15, 2009 12:21 PM:

    " I am a parent to a wonderfully well-behaved 4 y/o boy. With that being said, if it is a situation where I am unsure there will be other kids to play with, I will try to find a sitter and that doesn't work out, then I decline my invite. I agree that there places for families (more and more each day) and time for just adults. Some parents that disagree with this are probably the parents with the kids you dread seeing. "

    Mother of Three wrote on Oct 15, 2009 11:08 AM:

    " I'm laughing because I just had this conversation with my friend. If I have had a long day at work and want to go unwind in a restaurant with my husband I surely don't want to hear someone's child screaming or cutting up.
    GUESS WHAT? If you got offended by Coldhearted's post, YOU ARE THE ONE their talking about!
    When I bring my kids to a restaurant they behave or else! I don't want them to bother someone else.
    I love this post and I like that so many agree.
    Thanks Coldhearted!!!! "

    Bren wrote on Oct 14, 2009 8:48 PM:

    " I agree with you that there are some places that it is not ok to bring along your"little ankle biters" but some people have no choice. When my 3 children were little I was a stay at home mom. It was tiresome taking along the children everywhere I went. My husband worked offshore for a time, and Mom was getting her second wind on dating. Our day out was movies, park, or Burger King. I hate going to eat at Duffy's Restaurant and hearing children scream too. Some people have no discression. "

    an observer wrote on Oct 13, 2009 3:31 PM:

    " To young parent

    You had kids why? To take them to a restaurant to annoy other people? "

    RT wrote on Oct 13, 2009 2:39 PM:

    " Looks like somebody needs a time out and a prescription for xanax. "

    i guess wrote on Oct 13, 2009 8:19 AM:

    " someone just had a bad day with the kid that made them mad and is probably too lonely and alone to express themselves to someone. or they just dont have anyone so they posted it on here. i find that rather elementary, do something more valuable with your time like maybe going into a particular field where you deal with children like that. There are many ways to handle a situation where God is trying to give you signs. "

    ...Bigger picture wrote on Oct 13, 2009 8:16 AM:

    " Where has our faith gone... you people are stabbing each other over a child or children per say. We have far more problems than that in the world. You have all forgotten who your Father is and what he would do in a situation like this. Instead of making this unnecessary forum post you should have prayed and thank God for living and being blessed with the senses to hear this child and see this child. Friends of mine suffer from these disabilities and would give up anything for a moment like that. Maybe you should be thankful. "

    coffee addict wrote on Oct 13, 2009 7:45 AM:

    " I agree. Leave your children at home. I went to a Lynryd Skynyrd concert a couple years back, and the couple sitting behind me had their two children with them. We're talking both under the age of five! Extremely inappropriate venue for children, especially ay 11:00 at night. What is wrong with some people? "

    Coldhearted wrote on Oct 12, 2009 8:29 PM:

    " To Young Parent:
    First of all, I hope you don't ever take it upon yourself to home-school your child, because your post if rife (look it up) with errors. Once again, I think there is a guilty conscience striking. I NEVER said to not bring children anywhere, I said don't bring them EVERYWHERE. If you don't like that, then YOU stay at home with all of your children hanging off of you like possums. You people are taking this way too personally. "

    BAM wrote on Oct 12, 2009 7:43 PM:

    " Cold Hearted, I read you as the ultimate gay dinner party queen. I'll also bet your big time into the arts. ( Liberal Arts ) Don't invite kids to your partys with your fanned out mag.'s ( Vogue, GQ, designers BS ). You don't mix with the norm so don't try. In fact San Francisco would welcome you. To the rest of you, take your children within reason where ever you want. Naturally you would never subject them to the cold unwelcomed nature of Queen Cold Hearted. "

    Young Parent wrote on Oct 12, 2009 1:23 PM:

    " Alot of people these days are young parents, and if they didn't take care of their children ya'll would have something to say about that. At least people just don't drop there children off to everybody they know. You must not like children at all. I'm a young parent myself and I love having my child with me. If you don't like it stay at your house and don't go out in public. People have kids for a reason and it's not to leave them home all the time "

    Stevia wrote on Oct 11, 2009 10:20 AM:

    " I can understand where you're coming from. I had 4 that were well behaved for the most part but there were times that they took upon themselves to disrupt. But they paid the price for that. We don't expect perfection, but we do expect good behavior. I've received many compliments on the courtesy, behavior, manners and how well adjusted our kids were. At home we practiced our manners for the times we'd be in public. I made it fun and now they work with their kids the same way and are wonderful parents. Parenting isn't for cowards_it's_hard_work. "

    Calm Down Ladies From Enough Already wrote on Oct 11, 2009 8:35 AM:

    " Ladies, calm down in your attacks. This post is not a personal attack towards your little Susie. This just how others feel and they too spend their hard earned money to go out for a nice evening with their spouse. In fact, they do cover for a babysitter. It is someone showing you how YOU will feel in 10-20 short years from now. Just listen and acknowledge in the future sometimes you need to remove Susie from the room instead of let her throw a fit in front everyone, ultimately imposing her ON everyone. "

    What Parents wrote on Oct 11, 2009 2:02 AM:

    " The reason children misbehave is the same reason society has run amuck. Some that are having babies have not been raised by anyone but themselves. So when you have an animalistic parent and I say parent because more than likely there's just one, then you have base animalistic behavior displayed by the children of the animal. Should we blame the animalistic parent? No! You have to go back to grandparent that bore the animal of whom they didn't teach anything about behavior. It's such an ugly cycle that has no color barrier. It will continue forever. "

    avid reader wrote on Oct 10, 2009 8:30 PM:

    " The poster should have specified who they were directing the comment to and if a function was not meant for children, it should be stated. For example, I was invited to a wedding that SPECIFIED ADULT ONLY. Well, in this instance I knew kids were not allowed. Otherwise, receptions are usually a family event or so I thought. However, I do agree that parents need to train their kids before bring them out, as I have done. "

    Hey wrote on Oct 10, 2009 5:57 PM:

    " I agree with what is said, I have 2 grown children now but, when they were young we brought them with us and I dare them to bother people in a resturant or any other public place. Because when I got a sitter I wanted just to relax and enjoy the evening. I've been to weddings and kids were not invited, I think the managers need to ask them to leave and don't come back till you can control your kids why some of these parents think this is o.k. mabe they were brought up like that "

    me wrote on Oct 10, 2009 11:32 AM:

    " Talk about the poster child for retroactive abortion!!! This guy is the reason they created birth control pills. Wish his mother would not have missed that dose!!!! "

    loving grandma wrote on Oct 9, 2009 10:20 PM:

    " Love the grandkids but you are so right can't stand to go somewhere there are demon children "

    Easily solved wrote on Oct 9, 2009 8:56 PM:

    " I love my three children dearly, but I do believe in a couple's right to be without the "kid drama". Etiquette says...if a restaurant has a children's menu, then children are welcome. If it does not, then please leave them with a sitter or friend. That's why before we go out to a new place, I always check online to see if they've got a kid's menu. "

    an observer wrote on Oct 9, 2009 7:52 PM:

    " People these days are so concerned with their "rights". For example they think they have a right to drop off their badly behaved kids at the movies or the mall while they go off shopping, or in this case to inflict their little brats on others. We don't know your kids and don't think their antics are cute. If you want to enjoy them, try the living room of your house. Enough. "

    Coldhearted wrote on Oct 9, 2009 7:31 PM:

    " Thanks for the support, people! A few key points to be addressed:
    1.) I was a VERY well-behaved child, because I was taught to be. It was also made clear to me that I could not go everywhere.
    2.) Fat people and ugly people do not ruin events for others just by being there. It is your unruly and ungovernable children who do.
    3.) I am not miserable; to the contrary, I am high-spirited and vivacious and people just naturally flock to me.
    If you take my post personally, then perhaps it means you should. "

    giggles wrote on Oct 9, 2009 7:29 PM:

    " Children should be seen and not heard AT HOME until they are at least 16 - If they are well behaved by that time, then they could be taken to public places. If not, wait until they are 21. "

    Cant Believe Some Reactions wrote on Oct 9, 2009 6:55 PM:

    " RG New Iberia, you say that you doubt that Coldhearted was an angel as a kid. He never said he was, and if he was'nt I bet his parents did'nt let their "little angel" ruin other people's day. Hey Avid Reader, just because people do not tell you that your kids are misbehaving does not mean they are not. Hey Coldhearted great post. People, please start raising your kids, and stop trying to be their "friend." "

    KH wrote on Oct 9, 2009 6:31 PM:

    " I agree with Coldhearted and all of the others that say to stay at home if you can not control you children in public. I was raised under the rule that children should be seen not heard. Too many times my wife and I have left restaurants were some people’s children use the eating area like a play room. I wonder what would happen if one of those little “Angel” caused a server to dump a tray on someone or the child, lawsuit city? There is nothing wrong with staying at home. "

    oMG wrote on Oct 9, 2009 5:59 PM:

    " I cannot believe that someone like you could possibly have children. How is a parent suppose to teach a child how to act, if the child is never introduced to anything. How does a child learn to behave in a resturant if they aren't allowed to go to a resturant.

    Yes I do believe that children should not go to adult functions but get real about resturants.

    And also, i'm guessing you are a male since giving birth IS a miracle. A man would not understand that. "

    To Coldhearted from Enough Already wrote on Oct 9, 2009 5:58 PM:

    " Wow!!! I love it. We should do lunch. I don't do babies either. I do have two amazing children but I DO know when/where to bring them. Sad in this society thay everyone thinks we all want to endure their bebe's during our adult time. Again, love it:) "

    Brooke wrote on Oct 9, 2009 4:23 PM:

    " I am the mother of a 5 year old and a 2 year old, who are VERY well behaved in public because they know that if they arent, Mom will take them into the restroom and discipline them. These skills are not natural, they must be taught at a very early age. If you dont teach them and your kids act a donkey then you are subject to unwanted criticism. But, when you are in public, you are subjecting yourself to just that, "public" . Parents should use common sense on where to bring their kids though. "

    To Cold hearted wrote on Oct 9, 2009 2:22 PM:

    " Your opinion dont make you cold hearted. I would say you just had an "experience" and you vented. I totally agree with you. There is a time and place for everything, and even in a family restruant kids should behave accordingly. "

    To Avid Reader wrote on Oct 9, 2009 1:18 PM:

    " Just because nobody complained doesn't say much. You could possibly be an offensive parent with the children that run over everyone's feet at the reception. I also don't think hiring an occassional sitter is a crime nor does that mean you are pushing your "parenting" duties onto someone else. Simple judgement when attending certain functions should be used . All adult function = No kids "

    My-o-My wrote on Oct 9, 2009 1:00 PM:

    " To Avid Reader and the rest of you who disagree. You all missed the point. My wife and I stayed home and raised our children and taught them how to behave in public. Now it's our turn to go out and enjoy our evenings with a meal or movie or whatever. So now we have to put up with these unruley "Angels" because in todays society you have BABIES raising BABIES. I say if you can't control your children, don't get mad if someone else does it for you. Just stay HOME. "

    To Avid Reader wrote on Oct 9, 2009 12:42 PM:

    " The poster is not directing this at people who have well-behaved children. They are directing it at people who allow their children to run rampant, invading other people's spaces because they don't want to "discipline" them. I have a sibling whose wife does just that. I love their kids, but, they are like wild animals let out of a cage because she doesn't believe in "discipline".

    I am a parent and I love kids, however, I completely agree with the poster. "

    Bbean wrote on Oct 9, 2009 11:28 AM:

    " Why dont we ban fat people , or ugly people or GRUMPY people. I think their is some places that kids should not go, but I also think that parents need to make thier kids behave. If my kids cant go then most of the time I dont go!
    You need to lighten up or go to a bar, no kids allowed in a bar. "

    avid reader wrote on Oct 9, 2009 11:08 AM:

    " You are certainly barking up the wrong tree with me. I have a 12year old and a 3 year old and I take them everywhere because I don't have baysitters. I was given the task by God of parenting and that is what I do. I don't pass it on to anyone else to do my job but I will not stay at home and allow life to pass me by. My 3 year old is very well behaved. He has attended numerous weddings and other things and have gotten no complaints. Sounds to me like you should stay home!!!!! "

    In Agreement wrote on Oct 9, 2009 10:43 AM:

    " The poster is absolutely correct!!! The rest of us did not take your children to raise, yet we have to put up with your unruly children. You sit there with these "aren't they cute" looks on your faces while your progeny spoil our fun by behaving inappropriately for the situation. Is this the kids' fault? Of course not. They don't know how to behave appropriately in adult situations. So leave them home. Thank you. "

    ...K wrote on Oct 9, 2009 10:15 AM:

    " There is a time and place for children. The BIG problems is that adults don't want to be the adult and make their children behave or have respect for adults or others children. We are raising a country of children who are out for #1. Look at the behaviors in the schools alone. The behavior and language is alarming. "

    Warmhearted wrote on Oct 9, 2009 9:55 AM:

    " Wow! Lighten up. Life's too short to be so miserable. Hope you learn to see the bright side before you miss it all. "

    threadprotector wrote on Oct 9, 2009 9:44 AM:

    " I must be cold hearted as well.

    A local school elocution event in which the participants recited poems and stories up to 5 minutes long in front of judges and peers. Only to hear crying babies and children screaming. If only these parents could experience the months of practice to prepare for this once a year event on the part of these young participants, then they could come to realize how rude they were. "

    Common Sense and Consideration wrote on Oct 9, 2009 8:50 AM:

    " I'm with you on a lot of what you say. People should use more common sense and consideration when making decisions about where to take their kids. As an extra, people should also be more aware of how their children behave and not turn a "patient parent's cheek" to wild and unruly behavior. My beef is not with kids everywhere (some can be extremely well behaved), parents who are too "sensitive" to correct them when they act up. If you can't control your kids...you should be too embarassed to bring them out in public. "

    DI Reader wrote on Oct 9, 2009 8:35 AM:

    " Not all kids are bad kids. I have 4 children ranging from the ages of 14 to 9 and I have always been able to bring them places without them terrorizing other people. Common sense tells me when I should leave them with a sitter but for the most part I am able to bring them where ever I please without incident. It's called teaching them how to act in public, meaning they are curious and calm. "

    RG_New Iberia wrote on Oct 9, 2009 8:22 AM:

    " OMG-That was a very harsh post. I could only imagine when you were little you were the angel every parent dreamed of having as a child. I'm sure if we spoke to your parents they'd have a a different story to tell. I actually enjoy having my child with me most of the time, if you don't like children or don't like places that allow them why don't you stay home! "

    Say What wrote on Oct 9, 2009 8:16 AM:

    " You are freaking hilarious!! "

    MR. Hadnott wrote on Oct 9, 2009 7:52 AM:

    " I agree 100%. My wife and I were eating out one night which is not often(we have four kids)there was a couple there with three little kids running around the place yelling and playing.the couple just sat there talking to each other like they did not see them kids.my kids were at my sisters so the wife and I could have a nice time alone.So when one of those kids came by our table I said quiet down and go sit.the parents did not like it but who cares they need to look after their kids and not ignore them. "

    My-o-My wrote on Oct 9, 2009 6:57 AM:

    " As we use to say in the military. Outstanding young man!!! "

    Citizen wrote on Oct 9, 2009 6:32 AM:

    " Lets see you don't like the memorials in the park. Now you are complaining about people who bring their kids with them to social events.
    Perhaps you might want to share a cave in Wazirstan with Bin Laden! "

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