Brats in public? Or little darlings? Readers react

Kids are indeed more out of control, and more indulged, than ever. We grow more and more selfish as a society. Parents care about careers, houses, cars and consumer items, In short, they are focused more than ever on money and the things it buys them. With little time or attention for their children, they indulge their offspring by letting them be out of control and they expect other people to endure the results.
Peter, Phoenix

When my wife and I take my children out they always get complimented on how good they act. I never thought they acted exceptionally well until I noted how other children around them acted. I blame the parents of these little monsters for not making them behave. By that I mean teach them how to act politely in public. My wife and I have spent a lot of time teaching our children manners and from the compliments they receive, I think the effort has paid off. Please spend time with your children and teach them how to be polite to others. The golden rule really works — it just takes practice.
Greg, Waterford, Pa.

On more than one occasion I have been eating out and have seen children running all over the place. They have run into me and others. Sometimes these are older children who should know better. But even with the smaller children, I just don't think they should be running up and down the aisles. In a fast food place, I tend to tolerate it. On the rare occasion when I go out with my husband to a nice place, it's another story. We tend to try and get seated in an area where there are not any small children around. If I am paying a lot of money to have a nice quiet evening, I just don't want some kid, mine or anyone else's, screaming at the top of his lungs. Even worse is the grocery or department store when the kids are running, pushing buggies, etc.
Jaclyn, Los Angeles

The problem is not with the kids making noise or being unruly. The problem is with parents who either don't discipline their children at home, or suddenly stop being parents when they take their children out. I worked in restaurants for years and it is extremely easy to tell who are the good parents and who are not. The children of good parents are well-behaved, respectful and do not scream in public places. The bad parents' kids are a nightmare who not only disrupt other diners but the employees as well. If I had a nickel for every time a bad parent asked me (the waiter) to tell their kid "no" or "sit in your seat," I could have paid for college without waiting tables. You need to pass a test to drive a car in this country, perhaps there should be a test required before becoming a parent as well.
Chris, Bushkill, Pa.

While waiting at the drugstore recently, I was hit in the face with a ball tossed by a child. This was directly after his mother had told him to put the ball away. There is no discipline (ramifications for bad behavior) for a large number of children today.
Larry, Alexandria, Va.

I have had it with baby spawners that refuse to "parent" their product! Saturday night we endured a child — a 9-year-old — in a restaurant bar full of cigarette smoke. The "guardian" remained busy chatting up a male at the bar at 10 p.m. Management did nothing. I reported my dislike while the kid danced in the open area and eyeballed other customers attempting to dine.
P.K., Wilmington, N.C.

I don't dislike children in general, I simply find it intolerable when a parent knowingly brings a child (who is prone to crying, yelling and generally "misbehaving") to a public place like a restaurant, the movie theatre or any public place where a quiet atmosphere is appreciated. Children on planes are even worse because they're guaranteed to cry as the plane is climbing to a cruising altitude and you cannot simply exit the plane like you can a movie theatre or restaurant. I generally blame the parents for assuming everyone else will be complacent with their undisciplined child.
B.K., New Jersey

MORE FROM GROWING UP HEALTHY

Growing Up Healthy Section Front

What to get the kids? Think outside the toy box Divorce doesn't have to destroy the kids Hipster parents want pop tots Debate over drug testing Should preschools be all work, no play? Kids at spas: How young is too young? ‘Momblocked’ mothers edged out by dads Is cosmetic surgery a good gift for grads? Are we raising a nation of little egomaniacs? Circumcision controversy Growing Up Healthy Section Front   Add Growing Up Healthy headlines to your news reader: