I don't like to see older children pouting about something or doing something to spoil an occasion for parents because they don't want to be there, and then the parents are bribing them to cheer them up or win their approval. It's a child's passive-aggressive behavior. Parents should not have to please their children or take responsibility for their children's happiness in every situation. The child will learn to manipulate the parents in the same way a tantrum works for a younger child.
--Anonymous, Humboldt, IA (submitted on March 7, 2008)

I cannot stand it when a another child (often mistakenly) hits or hurts in some way my child and they are not made to apologize. The parent, instead, makes up some excuse. Just because their child did something by accident does not mean it doesn't deserve an apology anyway. It shows both children the importance of an apology and to not hold any grudges based on someone's accident or poor choice.
--Elizabeth Dion, Amesbury, MA (submitted on March 7, 2008)

Oh yeah, it's definitely the roaming restaurant kids. You know, the loud, obnoxious ones whose parents think, "Isn't he/she cute?" Or "Oh they're just being kids," as their little angels run amuck between tables demanding attention from their parents as well as complete strangers. Yes, they're being kids, but they're not cute. They're undisciplined. It's the pinnacle of rudeness. The old adage, "Children should be seen and not heard" still holds true for some of us.
--Anonymous, Sheridan, WY (submitted on March 7, 2008)

Everything! More specifically, the culture of entitlement we live in where the kids and parents get what they want at the expense of others' time and convenience. This takes place at "grown-up" restaurants, R-rated movies, public transportation in all forms, and it makes me sick.
--Anonymous, New York, NY (submitted on March 7, 2008)

One of my (many) top pet peeves in regards to other people's children is picky eating combined with bad manners. I had two boys, friends of my children, spend the night one time. When I served dinner, both of the boys openly cried "ewww!" and refused to eat the meal—they even broke down in tears! They said they wanted me to call their dad, so I did—and he brought them (but not my children, who happily ate their meal) McDonalds! It’s not like I served chopped liver and onions or anything. I served a very kid friendly (in my house anyway), ham, macaroni and cheese and baked beans!!! I could not believe they were so rude about it. I was always taught that when you are at someone else's house, you eat what they serve you whether you like it or not. And you certainly do not make rude comments or cause trouble because of it!
--Nikki Fekete, Kingsland, GA (submitted on March 7, 2008)

I can't stand the parents who always pick up after their children. I have a three-year-old daughter who has been taught from day one that if you play with something, you put it away when you are finished. Of course I have to remind her most of the time of this but she does a great job of cleaning up after herself and putting her toys back where they belong. I have a real hard time with children who are the same age, and many who are older, who have no clue what it means to pick up after yourself. The parents try to say "OK now help clean up" but the child just refuses and the parents don't insist on having their child pick anything up. They just do it for them or they walk away and leave the mess, which I end up having to clean up with my three-year-old daughter.
--Rebecca Fulkerson, Peoria, IL (submitted on March 8, 2008)

[When parents] actually encourage their child to perform. The child sings, or pantomimes a super hero or draws or pretends to read or tells a story and every adult there is supposed to pay attention to their little star. The child is rude, has inappropriate boundaries and is learning to be a manipulator.

Also, at dinner parties they actually feed their children first and give them the best seats at the table where other adults are hostage to yet more drama and acting. I have seen kids load up their plates with the main course and then play with the food and never eat it, while adults have nothing left to eat.
--Anonymous , Denton, TX (submitted on March 9, 2008)

It drives me crazy when a parent doesn't discipline their child in public. I'm not looking for a spanking or yelling, but rather attention and control. I am so bothered by parents who take their kids to a restaurant or a store and let them run around, scream, and make messes. I understand that it's not always something that a parent can control. Kids do have a mind of their own. But, if that's the case, then remove yourself and the child from the situation. You may have to shop another day or eat at home that meal. I think that ignoring the chaotic behavior only sends a message that it's okay. And in turn, the other patrons have to endure the problems, too.
--Kim Baber, Wichita Falls, TX (submitted on March 9, 2008)

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