I. Hate. Small. Children! >:(

[Karen]

One hug from Miss Marylin (my niece, age 4) and you'd feel better about little kids, I promise!

I know you don't really hate the kids, just the parents who feel it is everyone else's job to keep track fo their kid.

It could be worse, you could be a teacher!

[gini]

I think this calls for a TIME OUT for the PARENTS

[Cataholic]

I know you don't really hate the kids, just the parents who feel it is everyone else's job to keep track fo their kid.

Actually, Cathy does have some serious dislike of little kids, which is 'fine', as she is entitled to that feeling.

However, I hope to do her proud one day by making sure I am NOT the type of parent she despises.

Most outings, family ones included, are pure hell for me- if I am alone with Jonah. I am somewhere between a hawk, a bear, a monkey and a watchdog. BUT, if Jonah is ever to learn about society, and how to act, I have to go out with him (not to mention we need food).

So, while some parents are a bit laid back, know that some of us are really doing all we can to maintain tight controls. Sometimes, that is harder than it might appear.

(PS to Uba- I do NOT let Jones behind the counter at SB, but, he does remove all the CDs while I wait in line (yes, I dutifully pick them up)).

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Jo, you're so right in that not all parents are like that. I have some friends who have children who are a delight to be around - even when out in public. They are always polite to adults, even seconds after they were being "kids" and getting ready for a scolding.

However, I do believe you and my friends are in the minority these days - which is too sad - especially since everyone is so willing to crow about "family values" and such.

[moosmom]

What Lady's Human said. Blame the parents who let them get away with such behavior.

Sorry you had such a sucky day. Migraines are awful!!!

[popcornbird]

The problem is not the kids. The problem is the parents. Society has no value of family life these days. Kids aren't raised properly, taught proper manners, etc. Its not their fault...no child is born with these things. Its like blaming a plant for growing 'crazy' when no one trimmed/groomed it. Kids that are not brought up properly are like a garden that is not cared for. Beautiful in itself, but ugly because of the lack of care/attention. If the parents didn't teach their kid anything, how is the child to blame? Young children are young...not old enough to know right from wrong on their own. I love young children. Good kids are adorable, charming, and lighten up this world.

[CathyBogart]

You're partly right, Karen...there are some kids I like, DBF's adorable little nieces for sure. Cataholic, you and Jonah are welcome in my store anytime. (It's a hobby shop, I'm sure you'd both have fun!)

But days like that make me want to get out of customer service and hole myself up in a cubicle somewhere and never see the light of day again. *sigh*

[Laura's Babies]

I was in a store one time and there was a Mama and her little girl about 4 years old. We were in the fabric department and the Mom was busily looking at fabric while the child wandered around and found things to occupy her bored time. She saw something on top of the pattern cabinet she wanted to get at so she pulled out the bottom drawyer to help her get up there. Before I could move or scream, she had stepped up on the drawyer and the whole pattern cabinet was on the floor, on top of the little girl. When they lifted it up, I expected one horriable sight and a lot of blood... Would you believe that child didn't have a scratch on her???

I made SURE I told an employee of the store that I witnessed it, the Mom was not watching the child and gave them my name and phone number.

It just beats me how some of these parents think their children are disaster proof, can be replaced or something. To many kids just flat out vanish, never to be seen again and I would be scared to death to take one out and take my eyes off of them for even a second, yet these little ones are set free to wander and run around like they are at home or someplace where nothing bad ever happens.

My DIL's mother got knocked down by a running 13 year old in a public place that was unsupervised and she suffered a long time from a cracked rib or torn muscle from it.

[CathyBogart]

As much as everyone may go on about parents being the root of the problem....the parents are the root of the problem, but when someone is shrieking in your face, the problem is the person in your face, not the person five feet away.

I don't buy the "They don't know any better" argument. When I was that age, I inavdertently said some rude things just because I didn't know any better(Some of them still make me blush remembering them), but by the age of six I had a pretty darn good concept of what was and was not obnoxious, as well as the ability to restrain myself. Both of my siblings did too, so it can't be all that unusual.

My IUD was the best investment I ever made, LoL.

ETA: MUAHAHAHA! I figured out the source of my migraines! I've been drinking this really yummy dandelion and sasparilla tea lately, but it seems that every time I do I wake up with a migraine. *sigh* gotta find another good tea....

[lady_zana]

I understand your frustration with unruly children. I can't stand them either. I'm just not a 'kid' person....a lot of people tell me when I say that that it's simply the parents' fault and that I don't like unruly children but the truth is I don't relate well to them.

My former boss has a toddler and occassionally on her days off, she'd bring him by for a visit. He is a wonderfully mannered baby; if anyone I know should be allowed to have babies, it is her. Everybody would rush over and coo over him, myself included...but in about ten minutes, I'd be looking for something else to do....I just get bored.

My husband's family is very family-oriented; they love to get-togethers for every holiday. Naturally, when we were first married, they started asking when the babies would babies and thought I was strange when I responded, "never." Now, they don't think I'm strange anymore; they know I am! I'm happiest with my cats, my books, and my writing and I don't mind sitting in a corner while the holiday festivites go on around me.

[Karen]

ETA: MUAHAHAHA! I figured out the source of my migraines! I've been drinking this really yummy dandelion and sasparilla tea lately, but it seems that every time I do I wake up with a migraine. *sigh* gotta find another good tea....

Okay, just gotta respond to this part - got a sample in a box of Celestial Seasons' Chai tea for their new Blueberry Tea, and it's great! Yummy, blueberry-tasting (not just smelling, like some herb teas), and it's pink! Try it! I bought a whole box last night.

[Clare1980]

I KNOW how you feel, this is WHY I dont let any kids near me or in my house.

With my ocd, I couldnt work with children, let alone be near them.

[Allecto]

There are some good ones out there. One of my jobs right now is in customer service, and just when I think I want to get my tubes tied because of all the loud, rude, tantrum-throwing brats, some little cutie pops up who holds the door open for the person after them, says 'thank you', and obeys his/her attentive parent. I do agree that it mostly depends on the parent (until they get closer to the teen years), and if they're little kids the blame lies mostly with mom and dad.

[finn's mom]

Yeah, I have never been the biggest fan of children and babies. I mean, I'd love to have my own one day, and, that desire has really only surfaced in the last couple years. But, there are a handful of children that I've met in the past ten years that have completely won my heart. I'd lay my life down for a couple of them...my friend's 2-year-old son, Thor, is one of them. He's just a dream to be around, even though he can be a typical snotty-nosed butt wipe. For the most part, though, he's awesome. To see this kid banging his head to a rock song on the radio, sticking his tongue out and giving the international sign to "rock out," it's just priceless.

[jackie]

Cathy,

Don't hate the small children, hate the parents that seem to be letting them do whatever the hell they want.

I agree with that 100%, most parents won't say "boo" to their children.

if Jonah is ever to learn about society, and how to act, I have to go out with him (not to mention we need food).

The more you post the more I love you. Thanks for making me LOL before work.