Why do parents let their kids run wild?

Theresa - posted on 02/27/2010

I couldn't agree more. These lax parents just proceed on, oblivious to the spectacle their kids are making. Then, when the kids get older and they're REALLY wild, these will be the same parents to wail that they just don't know WHY junior won't help around the house; listen; mind his manners; or is so selfish. Huh?!

Stephanie - posted on 02/23/2010

Ha! I know what you mean. My 2yo dd and I are currently in the "you WILL sit in the cart" discussion (it's an ongoing and repetitive one). I have found, however, that while it may be more embarrassing to me when she pitched that fit in the cart, the general public seems to appreciate her being in said cart more than they care about the lovely fit!

Valerie - posted on 02/11/2010

lol....the other day there were kids shrieking in the store so my daughter tried to do it too. I made the elderly couple next to me laugh when I told my daughter that we have manners so we don't do things like that. :P I have a ridiculously active girl who is all 2 and all fun. Just keep them focused like the others have said. she helps push the cart, hold the doors to the fridges and I have no problems putting her on time out in the middle of the restaurant or store. :P This post made me chuckle to myself. :)

Pamela - posted on 02/11/2010

I agree I have a 2 year old and an 11 month old and going shopping is hard work for me but Im not afraid that if everything goes tits up. I leave my trolley and walk out of the shop and we go home. They are both 80% of the time very good the 11 month old will sit in the trolley and the 2 year old will walk beside it holding on most of the time or just standing near me .. both my boys are CRAZY and full of energy but they know it is not ok to leave mummies side. its hard hard work it really is and some days I dread it but I make sure I pick a time when they are both not to tired and try and get them to help me and every time something goes in the trolley I ask them what it is and see if they can tell me and repeat it so they learn new words.
What I don't like though is if my boys are singing ( not super loud but not whispering) or laughing we get dirty looks.. my children are contained and not screaming or yelling they are enjoying themselves and people think Im being a bad mother for letting them make noise. Well I pick my battles with my kids or I would be saying no constantly. I pick manners and things that are dangerous or not nice over misdemeanors like laughing loudly or singing and dancing in the shopping centre I let go if they are not annoying anyone or picking things up or hurting anyone I let them be.

Holly - posted on 02/10/2010

I completely agree!! I know toddlers don't like to sit still but grocery shopping is a necessity! There are ways to entertain them. My daughter enjoys putting things in the back of the cart. I hand her the can or box or whatever and she throws it in the back. Does she miss sometimes? Yep. But it keeps her occupied so it's a small price to pay. She also likes to take her shoes off and make me put them back on. Does it make my shopping trip take 2 hrs instead of 1 or less? Yep. But at least she's not screaming and standing up in the cart(which she loves to do and I think I finally broke her of. I hope. Fingers crossed!) Eating out is just not fun no matter what I do. Do I care that we don't go to sit down restaurants right now? Nope. We will eventually and it's just not that important to me. I see people do it and see people do it happily with well behaved kids. I don't know how they do it but some people can and that's just the way it is and I think that's great. I assure you I don't want your little one coming over and trying to eat my daughter's food(I've had that happen). I don't have all the answers. Most of us are doing our best. It's the rest of those "most" that kill me!