Yelling at someone else's kid

[melynie]

A few days ago I was at my local library sitting on a lounge trying to read a novel.
A boy of about 4 or 5 years was making loud noises - squeals, farting noises from his mouth. His behaviour made it impossible for me to continue reading.
I waited for him to stop but he kept going on and on.

I don't know about others, but I see a library as a place you go to read - a sanctuary where you can escape into a novel, do some research and enrich the mind.

After about 5 minutes I snapped and told the kid to shut up. The kid ran away and did just that.

I think people need to be stricter with children so that they learn what they can and can't do. Making disgusting noises in a library is one of those things that kids should learn quickly not to do.

Does anyone support the action I took with this child?

[Lissa]

I don't support that you told him to "shut up." A polite "please be quiet" would have been a better approach.

[musicmom]

I agree with Lissa

[jrrsmom]

I went to Wal Mart today. I was trying to make it a quick run since my little one is sick.

Anyways, I get into the soap aisle and there is a mom with 3 boys. One who's name was Tyler kept running around the aisles. I went to turn down the next one and SMACK right into my cart. The mother said nothing. I continue on my way and I go to the end and SMACK. He hits my cart AGAIN. Finally I looked at him and told him that a store was not the place to be running and he was going to seriously get hurt. His mom grabbed him by the arm and as they walked away she told him she was going to call his dad. Pfft! Yeah that made no difference. The rest of the time that I was in the store I could hear his mouth. Telling him mom to shut up; screaming at his brothers, calling them names. Annoying!

So I go to check out and guess who's behind me? Oh yeah...it's them. So I'm just standing there and I get hit with a shoe. HIS shoe. I was pissed. I turned around picked it up and walked back to his mom and not so politely told her "If I wanted to experience the zoo I would go to one. I don't need to deal with YOUR kids while I'm shopping. If you can't get them to behave then you should leave them at home."


I understand kids act up but there is a point and time to stop your shopping and leave. Had he been my child we would have been in the bathroom and he would have been spanked. If he wasn't able to act properly after that we would have left and he would get punished when we got home.

Phew! I feel better now, thanks!

[Ari2]

I agree with Lissa and MM.

The only time I've said something to someone else's kid was when I was at a petting zoo. There was a boy around 10 or 11 years old who repeatedly kicked and punched one of the smaller goats as it tried to get away from him. I didn't raise my voice, but my brain kind of snapped and I hissed "Do NOT kick or punch that goat again". I'm sure the look I gave him was pretty bad. As far as I could see, his parents must have dropped him off unsupervised. I then found the zoo attendant who was off daydreaming and told her that she probably should keep an eye on him as he was having problems treating the animals gently. I didn't regret it, but I was pissed for a while that the parents had been absent and the kid was so mean.

[fallon]

I think I would probably have some very unkind words for anyone who told my child to shut up.

[musicmom]

Originally Posted by fallon

I think I would probably have some very unkind words for anyone who told my child to shut up.

Words?? I'd probably punch them in the mouth!

[evilbrent]

Originally Posted by Lissa

I don't support that you told him to "shut up." A polite "please be quiet" would have been a better approach.

yeah, being rude was unreasonable, but certainly you're within your rights to respectfully address other people's kids - I wish more people would.

[evilbrent]

Originally Posted by musicmom

Words?? I'd probably punch them in the mouth!

more violence huh?

[musicmom]

If a grown adult is going to get in MY childs face then yes, there is going to be violence!