do screaming kids bother you?

the other day a few of us were talking and i mentioned how before i had kids, screaming and crying children would always make me cringe, roll my eyes, and give the parents dirty looks (hey, i admit it, i was a terrible person! )

but now that i have a child i totally get how sometimes a child's behavior is just WAY out of the parent's control, and when i see those same things now, i usually feel nothing but sympathy for those parents (unless they aren't paying attention but that's another story altogether ).

thoughts?

ETA: i feel the need to add a disclaimer that this is not in reference to any other posts but comes directly from a conversation that we had at the GTG on 4/4. just wanted to put that out there

Message edited 4/6/2009 9:07:52 AM.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

It depends. I agree sometimes you cant stop them but I hate when parents dont remove them if its an inddoor place like a restauraunt or something.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

doesn't usually bother me...

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

No.

I have a "spirited" little preschooler who is fond of screaming and crying, so I have heartfelt sympathy for other parents with children of a simlar disposition, and rather than just assume the parents aren't doing a good job, I give the benefit of the doubt that much of it may have to do with the child's temperment.

I have to admit, however, I am a little shocked lately at some of the posts I've been reading about how bothered people are by other people's children, particularly when they cry or misbehave, which will happen even with the best children sometimes. It makes me realize that I'm probably unliked and judged on a constant basis by strangers who observe my little Alex in her finest moments, which makes me sad considering I do make every attempt to discipline and be a good parent.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

not at all, kids scream and cry, that's life

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Your post reminded me of a past poster who told a story about a woman who was having a hard time with her child at a resturant. Another lady near buy offered to buy her a glass of wine and did. Obviously the womn related to her and wanted to show her support and to say-"hey it's ok, it happens, I understand.

It was a cute story.

Message edited 4/6/2009 8:27:18 AM.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

It used to drive me crazy (before I had DS). Then it happened to me the other day and I totally get it

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

NO not anymore. before i was a parent i didn't understand it. now, that i have been there i do. my DD is very good but has had her moments and there is little you can do sometimes.
i saw the childless boards comments a minute ago about target and screaming kids.....i used to be there. now it is those people that i feel self-conscious of whenever my DD is loud. i hate that feeling.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Honestly, YES. It still makes me crazy. I thought once I had a child it would not be as bad, as I can understand sometime they just scream. BUT It still send chills up my spine, even when DS screams (which is rare) It makes me nuts.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

I'm not a parent (yet), But I think when I am out and see a young child acting up and screaming/crying, it generally doesn't bother me. When it is an older child whining and being a brat- it annoys me like crazy. I usually feel sympathy for the parent though!

Teenagers are what really get to me.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

I wouldn't say I enjoy it, I could certainly do without it however as a parent I understand it comes with the territory and I have only sympathy for the parent of the screaming kid.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

No but its when the parents compltely are obliviouse to it that bothers me...if you are in a restaurant you need to have consideration for others....if your in TRU-thats another story...

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

LB, I am totally the same!

Pre-Ryan I would hear a toddler age kid throwing a tantrum and roll my eyes. While secretly thinking "Why can't that mom/dad get a hold of their child".

Now, I have a 9 month old who feels his "inside voice" is a low decibel screech.

I have become a true believer of "You don't know what it is like until you have experienced it first hand". And that applies with all situations, not just parenting.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Generally, no.

I was a kid once too, and threw some WHOPPING tantrums.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

I remember how back in the day I would get so annoyed when I was run over by a stroller at the mall...

It wasnt until I had kids that I learned that the truth was that those things have minds of their own sometimes. I was never "heeled" on purpose or by carelessness.

Generally children's crying doesnt bother me in the least bit. I have my moments though, with my own children, that I want to just lock myself in a sound proof room b/c I cant take it any more...

When Im in a store and someone else's child is crying, whining, screeching, or screaming, Im usually just happy that it's not my kid that day.

ETA: what really makes me laugh is when people of in a place like Friendly's or McDonalds and they get all annoyed that there is a child acting up...I mean really do you go to those types of places and think there arent going to be kids there?

Message edited 4/6/2009 9:01:57 AM.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Message edited 4/6/2009 9:06:49 AM.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

ITA! Before I had Reilly, crying, whining or screaming kids would get on my nerves big time! Including my step kids!! But now, I don't even hear other children crying when we are out. And when my DH's kids cry or whine, I am alot more patient and understanding!

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Not really, but I worked with kids, so I was used to them screaming or getting upset easily and knew the parents usually weren't to blame. What bothered me then and still bothers me now is hearing a parent screaming back at their kid, or worse, telling them to shut up, they are dumb, etc.

Or, seeing parents really ignore pretty bad behavior from their kids (kids throwing things or hitting other people, etc.)

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Depends on the circumstance.

In a park or store, nope. Doesn't bother me at all - even if the parent is ignoring it because that's sometimes the best way to shorten a temper tantrum.

Maddie was very, very tempermental and I am confident that as an infant, her crying/screaming served as a contraceptive to every single cashier at Costco.

In a restaurant it's different. I've brought my screaming kid out of a restaurant & sat outside until they calmed down. We've done the I"ll get them in the car, you get the check thing when they started going bad. At one point, DH & I joked that we might never eat dinner together again because it seemed one of us was always leaving the table. While ignoring a screaming child may be the answer on how to best deal with it, I don't think others should be subjected to that during dinner - even in child friendly restaurants.

Message edited 4/6/2009 9:13:28 AM.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Depends on the circumstances.

Literally speaking...yes, a screaming child bothers me. The noise is irritating. I would never judge a child or a parent based on that but I don't particulary like hearing screaming children. Sorry if that's bad.

It's the parents' reactions though that are more bothersome though than the child.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

yes, when my two start at the same time or when my little one does it for no reason all day. otherwise not really since it's normal.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Depends on what’s going on.

Kids screaming in general? No, it doesn’t bother me.

Infants screaming non stop without being picked up or paid attention to, yes this bothers me, but not with the kids. I was doing laundry and this poor baby was screaming so hard for so long and the mom totally ignored it. I felt heartbroken.

Kids who really are just let loose and you can see the parents having a good time with coffee or friends or generally just giving up on the kids. Yeah, that bothers me, but only if the kids are being truly mischievous and terrors.

Mostly though.. kids are kids. I see them screaming and running and laughing and rolling on the ground and I think “Hey, what a wonderful thing it is to be a kid” If they’re throwing a tantrum or crying as Mom is trying to get to point B, well then “Hey man, life’s lessons learned” and I totally sympathize with the poor mom.

Re: do screaming kids bother you?

Crying and screaming kids do not bother me, but the shrill screeches make my face get all scrunched up. That's with any kid, even my own.