"Are you ready for THAT?" People vent

kellymiller409

The other day DH and I decided to spend all day going to movies, going out to eat, and shopping because we know pretty soon it'll be much more difficult to do these things with a small human to be responsible for. We're just trying to do fun things while our family is still just the two of us. 

We went to Red Robin to eat and they sat us at one of the long booths that has multiple tables to it (If that makes sense). For most of our dinner we didn't have anyone next to us, but about 15 minutes before we leave these two women and their 5 children sit next to us. Typically I don't get frustrated with children who are loud or whatever, but it was ridiculous. If they weren't throwing stuff at us, they were walking around bumping into our table, standing over our food, and sneezing and coughing all over the place with no hands to cover their mouths. I know 5 children is a lot to handle in public, but neither one of the moms were saying anything to them. They let them throw stuff, walk around, and they just carried on in their conversation. I was so frustrated! Some of my family walked in about 5 minutes before we left and sat on the other side of us. They could see the chaos and could see that we were frustrated (and so was everyone else who was within an earshot or close enough to get hit by one of their flying objects.) One of my family members says "Are you ready for that, that's going to be you one day." I wanted to sucker punch her in the throat. If my children misbehave like wild animals in public, we won't be going anywhere until they learn manners. I can say this with confidence because I am a nanny and I have had jobs where I had to take 3 crazy children out by myself, and they would listen to me or they would have consequences. Maybe I am just hormonal and tired...

Also, I should probably just stay indoors away from other people because everyone wants to comment on how HUGE I am. My favorite is being told that I shouldn't be out when I am so far along, esp.when I am alone. I just laugh at that one. I hope my water breaks and splash's all over the next person who says that to me.

 

Anyways, vent over.

 

SoxGirl0205

kellymiller409:

The other day DH and I decided to spend all day going to movies, going out to eat, and shopping because we know pretty soon it'll be much more difficult to do these things with a small human to be responsible for. We're just trying to do fun things while our family is still just the two of us. 

We went to Red Robin to eat and they sat us at one of the long booths that has multiple tables to it (If that makes sense). For most of our dinner we didn't have anyone next to us, but about 15 minutes before we leave these two women and their 5 children sit next to us. Typically I don't get frustrated with children who are loud or whatever, but it was ridiculous. If they weren't throwing stuff at us, they were walking around bumping into our table, standing over our food, and sneezing and coughing all over the place with no hands to cover their mouths. I know 5 children is a lot to handle in public, but neither one of the moms were saying anything to them. They let them throw stuff, walk around, and they just carried on in their conversation. I was so frustrated! Some of my family walked in about 5 minutes before we left and sat on the other side of us. They could see the chaos and could see that we were frustrated (and so was everyone else who was within an earshot or close enough to get hit by one of their flying objects.) One of my family members says "Are you ready for that, that's going to be you one day." I wanted to sucker punch her in the throat. If my children misbehave like wild animals in public, we won't be going anywhere until they learn manners. I can say this with confidence because I am a nanny and I have had jobs where I had to take 3 crazy children out by myself, and they would listen to me or they would have consequences. Maybe I am just hormonal and tired...

Also, I should probably just stay indoors away from other people because everyone wants to comment on how HUGE I am. My favorite is being told that I shouldn't be out when I am so far along, esp.when I am alone. I just laugh at that one. I hope my water breaks and splash's all over the next person who says that to me.

 

Anyways, vent over.

 

I completely agree with this, I have a 4yr old stepdaughter and DS just turned 1 on Sunday, whenever we go out my stepdaughter sits down at the table and quietly chooses her meal off the kids menu and then colors until she gets her food, I always ensure I have rice puffs and a toy for DS....just because you have multiple children does not mean they have to act like little urchins in public, I personally believe that children who act like that in public is a reflection of lazy parenting.

Trust me I heard the same "oh just you wait and see..." when I was pg with DS and all I could do was smile and blow if off, alot of times people that say that to you are saying it out of defense of their own insecurity in their parenting skills...they want to truly believe that all kids are ill-mannered in public because then they don't feel so bad for their lack of control over their kids.

Hang in there!!!

Kriz_b

I would have told the family member not to worry, because my child won't be as misbehaved as that. I understand that the odd time a kid will act out at a restaurant, regardless of how awesome they are, but being complete hellions, there is no excuse. My kid behaves amazingly at restaurants and I hope I'll be able to keep it up with 2. I've had to take my son along to a girl's night dinner before because of last minute changes and all the ladies have said it's like he wasn't even there.

sbost0118

I've got four now with #5 on the way and I hate it when people let their kids run around restaurants just as much as everyone else.  At least one of mine has ADHD - the vote's still out on one of the twins - and every one of them knows to behave themselves when we're out to eat.  I've taken my food to go before when one of the kids is determined to have a bad day.  I have a nephew that's 7 years old and still walks around and plays under the table and gets really loud.  My IL's think I'm a beast because I actually get on to my kids when they try to follow suit.

I was at a restaurant awhile back where a toddler was making rounds by every table in the dining room and overheard her mother telling a friend that she just loves this restaurant because her little girl can walk around.  I wish people would realize that NOBODY thinks your kid is a cute and sweet as you do!!

I got nervous everytime a waitress with a tray came by that the little angel was going to trip the waitress and end up with a pan a sizzling mushrooms on her head.

elizxu

No child is perfect, but what you described is just bad parenting. Sorry you had a frustrating dinner.

526SadieSadie

I try not to judge too harshly because I'm not a parent yet and I have no idea what multiple toddlers in a restaurant entails, but I agree that what you witnessed was bad parenting.  If the kids were just giggling and being silly, that's one thing but when they're getting up and yelling and interfering with other patrons enjoyment of their meals - that's a problem and the parents should have handled it differently.

I probably would have said something to them, or I would have asked a server (politely, but loudly) if they would move our table.  Going out to eat is expensive, it should be enjoyable.

Charlyne

I probably would have replied to the family member, just loud enough for the other moms to hear, that if my children ever acted like THAT in public, we'd already be in the car heading home and they wouldn't be enjoying that privilege again for a while. There's just no excuse for allowing your child to act like that.

I've seen people with babies and young children (3-5) in R rated movies. The kids usually end up crying or talking. I understanding wanting to get out of the house but there are babysitters for a reason. Why would you take your 3 year old to Underworld: Awakening? That's just asking for trouble, not only annoying for the other people in the movie but it was GORY.

Annie234567

This is why I cannot wait to actually have the baby outside my body.  My response to people saying unhelpful things like that is going to be that I find having a child to be delightful and easy, and if they didn't, maybe they were just doing it wrong.  It doesn't matter if I am so sleep deprived I don't know my own name, I'm going to lie about it and refuse to let people like that know I'm having any trouble at all.  I agree with the PP who mentioned that people who say that sort of thing are insecure about their own parenting abilities and just want other people to feel as insecure.  I wish I had a solution for people saying that sort of thing right now though.  All I can do right now is try to avoid people who want to give me their child-rearing "expertise."