A request to parents

[Karen]

A childhood friend of my sister's lost most of her hearing in a riding accident when she was in her twenties. She now lives a couple states away, but when her first child was about 2 1/2, they were visiting my sister one day when I was there. At one point, her son decided he didn't want to be ignored, and let out the most high-pitched and piercing noise I have ever heard come from a human being. As we all simultaneously jumped, flinched and covered our ears, the sound abruptly stopped as the mom reached down and clapped her hand over her son's mouth.

"Mommy can HEAR that noise" was her simple explanation! Thankfully, he learned not long afterwards to never use that noise outside of his own home again!

[carole]

Wow i think some of you totally over-reacted to Marigolds Post, and took it so personally, which is was not IMO,i can hear what she is saying, she was not being offensive to anyone with kids, being a mother herself, we all have had noisy kids ,your kids can play, have fun ,make some noise without being over the top, it is called consideration for others.

I love the sound of hearing kids happy playing , i have two or three across the road from where i live,but she is not talking about that, screaming is another story, and hey give her a break, we all have bad days, where we cannot tolerate things we normally could, and as you get older your toleration for noise gets less,one day you will be older yourself, so keep that in mind.

I completely understand what she was saying and i think it was taken totally out of context.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I live in a condo on the second floor so there are people above me and below me as well as on both sides of me. I've lived here for a little over 21 years now. I know that there will always be noise but I've also noticed that as I've gotten older that loud noise and crowds bother me much more now than when I was younger. I've also had my share of very rude and noisy roommates in the past. Now this is unacceptable and I'm now finally living by myself. Many years ago I decided to start wearing ear plugs while I sleep and this has helped me a lot. Now even when I sleep some where else I need to sleep with ear plugs or it just doesn't seem right.

When I've visited my brothers home, I wasn't used to hearing screaming, crying children so this really bothered me so I can relate to what you're saying. Children playing happily is a different story and it doesn't bother me at all. I still say that I'd rather have cats that are eternal toddlers than children living with me at this time in my life. At least you live in a house where you can shut out most of the noise.

[Cataholic]

No question, screaming children would bother me. It might make me think something is wrong, at first, but then I would be irritated. Little girls seem to be the worst offenders, though J can screech (and I quickly remind him not to).

However, barking dogs, leaf blowers, car horns, music too loud, and drunk adults also bother me. I live in a subdivision and expect that I will have to put up with noise.

As a parent to a little child, I don't necessarily take offense at people and their anti-children comments. BUT, I do recognize that if I said, "I hate fat people", or "I hate smokers", or "I hate old people", or "I hate dogs/cats", or "I hate mexicans" (and, no, Richard..this doesn't include you), people would probably call me on the comment. As they should. I don't get the concept of 'hating' or 'disliking' a child. You don't want a child, wonderful..don't have one. Not everyone is cut out to be a parent. But, to pretend the comment about not liking a child won't raise hackles is kind of silly. To me.

[Marigold2]

That is so funny..............

A childhood friend of my sister's lost most of her hearing in a riding accident when she was in her twenties. She now lives a couple states away, but when her first child was about 2 1/2, they were visiting my sister one day when I was there. At one point, her son decided he didn't want to be ignored, and let out the most high-pitched and piercing noise I have ever heard come from a human being. As we all simultaneously jumped, flinched and covered our ears, the sound abruptly stopped as the mom reached down and clapped her hand over her son's mouth.

"Mommy can HEAR that noise" was her simple explanation! Thankfully, he learned not long afterwards to never use that noise outside of his own home again!

[Cookiebaker]

Hummm, interesting thread. I have a 3.5 year old, and I have taught her to be loud outside only. When we are inside and around other people, in stores, in a restaurant, at the mall, etc. she is not allowed to scream, screech, or be excessively loud. And she knows that when she has freedom outside she can be as loud as she likes. That is what the great outdoors is for.

Sorry you are irritated Marigold, but kids will be kids. Maybe if you took the time to know the children, took an interest in what they are doing or playing you wouldn't feel irritated any more. And you might just make the life of a child that much richer for it.