Hot Topic Of The Dat (3-25)...What irritates you?

Amy - posted on 04/22/2010

I can't stand when someone tells me I should medicate my ADHD child. SHe's my child and if and when she gets to the point she needs medicated I will go there but right now she's doing just fine.

Jennifer - posted on 04/22/2010

I can't stand seeing kids running around in their pajamas in public, in the middle of the day! Drives me nuts!

Keisha - posted on 03/30/2010

Pregnant women smoking is definitely a big one for me too! Oh and parents always YELLING at their children instead of ever just talking. ugh.

Good Day! - posted on 03/28/2010

On the opposite end of the dressing appropriately for weather spectrum...

My daughter and I go to a music class once a week for preK and under kids. There is a mom that always way overdresses her three year old. This past week it was about 70 degrees outside. My daughter had on pants and a short sleeve shirt. The other kids were dressed similarly. The girl I'm talking about came to class with sweat pants and tights on underneath, a turtleneck under a sweatshirt and a knit cap. Being over dressed is not as common but potentially just as harmful. I don't know, maybe this child has a body temperature regulation disorder.

Sunny - posted on 03/28/2010

I cant stand seeing pregnant women smoking and drinking! aaaagggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!

Erin - posted on 03/28/2010

Usually I don't let things irritate me too much unless it is effecting the child. BUT today there was a fire in my town about a block away from my house. So me being the person I am, I had to go check it out.

Long story short...there was a "mom" there with 2 children. One was about 6 months old and the other about 2. The little baby was in a back carrier and the other one with a safety harness on. Where I live right now it was cold and rainy today. The baby had a thin full body onsie and a spring jacket on with no hat or gloves, the 2 year old had a fleece jacket on with a hood but it was never on him.

I was about 200 feet away from the fire, she was closer than that to it! Ok for one, why the hell did she have them so close to the fire and smoke. I mean we are talking like thick smoke that whenever it blew in my face I had to turn around and pull my jacket over my face. Oh but when the smoke came in her face she didn't take but a second to cover her own face up, not even checking on the kids.

For another it was effing cold today, like winter coat weather, and she has them in jackets with no hats.....I was so pissed at that moment and so was everyone else around us. There were several times i stated very loudly "Man it's sooooo cold out here." I wanted to go upto her and smack her. She was sooooo irresponsible. I really hope that she was just the babysitter and those kids don't have to spend all the time with her. Sorry for the rant, I just couldn't believe it. UGH!

Rose - posted on 03/28/2010

Ok so i went to the laundry mat today. There was this little girl almost the same age as my daughter (2) her father was constantly chasing her even if she got 5 feet away. She was walking around with a bottle hanging out of her mouth and on top of that he was so over protective of this little girl she didn't even know how to climb up a 3 step slide and slide down by herself. Geez let your child grow and learn!! But i guess people raise their kids differently. Oh and kids playing video games at 2 years old.

Heather - posted on 03/27/2010

I cant stand negative people! People (like my MIL lol) who can not ever say anything nice or see the good in anything...parenting or otherwise! It drives me batty and makes me become an extreme optimist when I am around them :)

I also dont like to hear little kids swearing...its always cute when your LO says "shit" for the first time...when they are 4, its not so cute anymore!

Charlene - posted on 03/27/2010

It irritates me when parents don't teach their children to move into single file when passing someone on the sidewalk!!!
Just today I was walking to the library, pushing my daughter's stroller and this family was heading toward us. Not one of them even attempted to move so that we could share the sidewalk. I ended up having to go off the sidewalk, almost tipped over the stroller with my daughter in it and this woman had the NERVE to give me a dirty look!!! I should have just barrelled them down. :@ Aghhh. /rant.

Lyndsay - posted on 03/26/2010

I hate when people try to turn their kids into little robots, who are still and silent unless told to be otherwise. I also hate when these same parents get upset or frustrated that their children aren't complying, and freak out. On the other hand, I also hate when parents don't discipline their children at all and let them run around rampant. I hate 4 year olds with soothers and I hate kids in strollers that are so big their feet touch the ground.

Alison - posted on 03/26/2010

I don't get irritated by the actual parenting choices of others and I'm always shocked that other people do. The only thing that irritates me is when I go to peoples houses and parents are smoking with there little ones in the same room. They have the option to go outside or at least leave the room, yet they don't for some reason.

Amanda - posted on 03/26/2010

It drives me bonkers, when mothers with toddlers the same age as mine, and tell me its time she wean from the breast, as they are shoving bottles into their childrens mouths. :0)

LaCi - posted on 03/26/2010

I call my kid names all the time. Turd, punk, booger, dork, dorkus, turdhead, turdbucket, stinkybear, bratticus. I can't imagine calling him a curse word though... I don't even know what I would do if I heard someone call their kid a bitch or fuckhead or something... thats just crazy to me. :/

Amy - posted on 03/26/2010

Just this morning I was grocery shopping and there goes a two year old. I'm looking around for a parent. None. I asked him where is mommy was and he kinda yells at me that he's fine. Okaaaaay. Then comes momma yelling at the top of her lungs in the store "YOU GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE #$%#$^" yeah. that bugs me. I mean, I've told my daughter to go to her room in a stern voice, but haul out yelling as well as name calling-and in public to boot!!! I have a hard time when I see some people believeing that they are loving parents.

Julia - posted on 03/26/2010

Seriously....And your right...my poor husband hates going places with me where there are a lot of kids! As for retail stores I usually say in a VERY LOUD voice Where is your mother? whenever a kid is misbehaving and/or by themselves.

Jackie - posted on 03/26/2010

LOL Julia...that's exactly why I said I was limiting myself...otherwise I'd have 100 different posts in here! =)

Julia - posted on 03/26/2010

ARGGGG I just thought of another one!!!! It really bugs the shit out of me when I see a parent CARRYING a 3 yr old everywhere. I mean I understand if they are tired and a little cranky picking them up and carrying them but there is NO NEED to carry them everywhere...I'm sure by the age of 3 your kid can walk. GEEZ people.

Jackie - posted on 03/26/2010

For me I don't say anything directly to them, though I will have no problem venting about it to my husband after we walk by. I just can't adapt to the "whatever works for them" mentality b/c so many moms don't look at the big/long term picture, they do it what works right now b/c it's easy or convenient. So I don't say anything, but there are lots of parenting techniques which are not controversial according to the experts so there's no excuse for a parent to be doing different.

Teresa - posted on 03/26/2010

You are right Jackie... even though I didn't comment to that aspect of the post yet. ;) Some things do irritate me, but since one of the things that irritates me the most now is people commenting on me doing things that used to irritate me (anyone follow that?) in my early years of parenting.... I don't really focus on what other parents do anymore cuz I'm not them, my kids aren't theirs, and it's not my call to make.

Wanda - posted on 03/26/2010

What irritates me the most are parents that let their kids run loose in stores. I've seen kids get hurt because of this and then the parents have the balls to blame the store or staff. It also irritates me when I see parents allowing their kids to stand in shopping carts - hello, they're on wheels and will tip over. Then there are the parents that tell their kids to go the toy section or electronic section or wherever while they do their shopping. What happens if one of those kids goes missing? I suppose it'll be the stores fault for not providing a babysitter.

Can you spot the mom that works retail?!

Jackie - posted on 03/26/2010

I could write a book on this one...but probably closest to the top of the list are pacifiers beyond 9 mos or so, and bottles much beyond a year. There is so much more though...but if I were to start I'm afraid I wouldn't stop. There are many comments above that I do agree with though.

But to a few of the responses of people saying "well I mind my own business"...so do most of us. You don't have to act on it....something irritating you doesn't mean you say something about it. I may think a parent is a total moron, but they'll never know I feel that way. This debate was about what actions irritate you, and I find it hard to believe when someone says nothing they see other people do irritates them.

Lady - posted on 03/26/2010

What really irritates me is mums who drive or push their children around in a buggy when the distance they are travelling ie to school or nursery is easily within walking distance

Brandy - posted on 03/26/2010

Hey Teresa! In response to your comment, I know what you mean because I had an allergy we couldn't figure out in high school and everyone thought I was sick for like 2 years but no this mommy who keeps dumping her sick kid on me will show up and as she's dropping her kid off say "oh, by the way, he's coming down with something" then leave. Poor little boy does seem to be sick pretty often though.

Fiona - posted on 03/26/2010

What irritates me? Parents who judge others parenting when they are not 'perfect' themselves. Live your own life, raise your own kids; I'm sure you have enough drama in your own life, do you really have to add to it by getting all het up over others choices? Save your concern for cases of neglect or abuse.

In saying that (ha ha, yes I know, I irritate myself!) I do get irritated when I read or hear about parents who just do things 'by the book' because that is what they heard is right or what their doctor told them to do and they don't take the initiative or the time to research risks vs benefits, or even understand the issue fully. Make intelligent, informed choices people, please!

Kathy - posted on 03/26/2010

Hi Teresa, I hadn't actually thought of the allergy thing! However, the lady who brought her sniffy kids into the library was a regular, and was well known for trying to dump the kids in the library while she went off and had a cigarette or three! Besides, I didn't want those kids coughing and sniffing through storytime!

Jennifer - posted on 03/26/2010

I totally agree Kati on the immunisation front!

Melissa - posted on 03/25/2010

I work as an assistant manager at a retail store, and it still shocks me at how many parents come in with their children and let them run wild through the store.

Jane - posted on 03/25/2010

What irritates me most is parents who judge other parents! I'm not talking about bad parents...I'm talking about good parents who choose to do something different than the person who is judging them. Pisses me off! Everyone has their own way of doing things. No one is right or wrong.

Teresa - posted on 03/25/2010

Just one little comment about the sniffling/coughing thing. Are you sure they were sick? I've been on the receiving end of that false judgement. My girls had a cough and a runny nose for almost a year and a half straight. They weren't sick at all, but had an allergy that we couldn't figure out that mostly didn't respond to allergy meds.

Just a thought. They were probably sick. :)

Shalaina - posted on 03/25/2010

I try to mind my own which is what everyone wants here but then passes judgment on others.... but I don't like when the parents act like to kids to their kids. Being immature and fighting with them, pulling their hair, etc or let their children run wild and bother others which is just rude and in some situations dangerous. I saw a mother with 3 young boys and she just let them run all around the street and wasn't paying attention to them which was very dangerous then in the store they were running in front of people pushing their carts, etc which is rude!

*Kids should be disciplined, but we must remember that we are the adults.

Rosie - posted on 03/25/2010

yaaay!! we agree on something julia!! :) lol!

Kathy - posted on 03/25/2010

I was just reminded of another one - my daughter tells me that when she told people she was having twins, so many people asked her if it was IVF! Bit nosy!

Kathy - posted on 03/25/2010

With the sick kids thing, one woman brought her 2 kids who were snuffling and sniffing and coughing into the library where I used to work. It was storytime, with stacks of kids around! I was the kids' librarian at the time so I told her to take them to the doctor. Probably outside the brief of my job, but I did have all these other kids to think of!

Julia - posted on 03/25/2010

I second that Kati!!!!! I wish all people who decided NOT to vaccinate were forced by law to wear a sign saying "I'm an idiot I didn't vaccinate" Or "Stay clear of my unvaccinated children" and before this gets bad I have a 10 month old who hasn't had all of her boosters and I am pregnant so therefore my children ARE still susceptable to contracting any of those diseases if your kid is carrying it.

Rosie - posted on 03/25/2010

while i admit these things (binkys in a toddlers mouth, bottles after one, etc.) bug me to no end, i'm not going to tell the person, especially if they are a total stranger, that what they are doing is wrong (at least wrong in my opinion). maybe my friend, but i'd tell her in a polite way.
the thing i've never come across in real life, but have heard of all to often is people not vaccinating their kids just cause they don't want to (not if the kid had a bad reaction or someother valid reason). i do not understand how they don't realize how lucky they were that they didn't grow up in a time where polio, and other horrible diseases weren't around anymore BECAUSE of vaccines. and what they are doing is just helping it along so that when their grandchildren or great grandchildren are growing up these diseases may be coming back. not to mention the fact that they can infect other peoples infants who havn't had a chance to get vaccinated yet.

Brandy - posted on 03/25/2010

The only thing that really irritates me and it's only because it directly effects me is when one of my friends asks me to babysit and fails to tell me their child is sick until they are dropping them off. Don't you realize I have a toddler and a 10 week old?! How horrible would my week be if the 3 of us got sick? I really only have one friend who keeps doing that so maybe I should just tell her so I guess it's my fault. lol. Other than that, I have my opinions on raising children, some of them stronger than others but I'm not going to tell you about it unless you ask for it. And it's not going to irritate me unless it's effecting me or my children.

Shavaune - posted on 03/25/2010

I usually mind my own business when it comes to most stuff. But the one thing that REALLY bugs me is when you go to a sports game with your kid and some parents act like their kid is completing in the fricken Olympics or something. Screaming at coaches, swearing, just plain out of hand behavior. The last time I put my kid in baseball a guy almost got into a fist fight with a junior coach. I teach my kids to play for fun but some parents I swear are trying to make their kids pro athletes or something.

September - posted on 03/25/2010

I tend to not let other people's choices irritate me, seems like wasted energy to be honest. However there are choices that some parents make that I don't agree with but that's a whole different topic :)

Good Day! - posted on 03/25/2010

LaCi I agree with the bundle up thing! My husband is incredibly hot natured so our house is usually set at 63. And my daughter is just like him. She sweats if it's any higher. I've had complete strangers tell me I need to put a jacket on my kid when I know that she would be uncomfortable if I did. It is aggravating.

Jackie - posted on 03/25/2010

Yes Melissa! It is horrible. Julia- I also agree with the runny nose thing. YUCK! I will use my ow sleeve before I let my kid run around with nastiness hanging out of their nose :)

LaCi - posted on 03/25/2010

I agree with others, I hate seeing kids who aren't potty trained at like 4 years old. Drives me crazy. If the kid is old enough to change their own diaper they shouldn't be using the diapers anymore. Also: Parents who attempt to make their kid out to be a prodigy, most likely your kid is just like all the other kids and you certainly aren't impressing anyone. Parents who tell me to bundle my kid up when its like 70 freakin' degrees outside, my house is 65 degrees and he runs around naked in here. I have a sweaty hot-natured kid, bite me.

Jennifer - posted on 03/25/2010

Sara here we call it "sleep" in your eye...why I don't know and I too am forever picking them off my 4 month olds face lol!

Julia - posted on 03/25/2010

@Sara,
No...I feel the same way about kids with runny noses....I just want to grab a tissue and wipe, or if they are old enough tell them to blow. It's worse when the parents are standing there looking at the kid and the kid wipes the booger across his/her face with the back of his hand and the parents don't do anything!!!

Melissa - posted on 03/25/2010

Jackie- Yes, I'd agree. Or when they bring their children around your kid when they know their kid is sick, but don't tell you their kid is sick! That is horrible!

Good Day! - posted on 03/25/2010

Okay I thought of something else. You know those crispy eye things? I call them eye boogers. I HATE seeing them in children's eyes. It's so gross. I just want to pick them out. My 22 month old has gotten used to this and won't fight me over it anymore. She just stands there and lets me get them. I have to hold back from doing this to other children. Am I weird?

Jackie - posted on 03/25/2010

Hmmm, let see. It irritates me when other Moms (or Dads) bring their sick children around other children. They assume that it's "just allergies" or "they haven't had a fever for 24 hours" or something like that and then next thing you know... WHAM! you're dealing with a sick baby.

Jennifer - posted on 03/25/2010

I was just gona say that too lol =] Here in the UK we call them dummys not pacifiers =]

Julia - posted on 03/25/2010

Dummies = Pacifiers

Shannon - posted on 03/25/2010

I'd say dirty children. If we're at a park playing then I can understand. But at the library? The store? I think moms are lazy or just don't care. My children are always clean, hair brushed, bathed & presentable.

Shannon - posted on 03/25/2010

What are "dummies". Two people have posted toddlers with a dummy. I just don't know what that is.. (Maybe I'm the dummy)..