Uncontrolled children in public

No, you are NOT an "old sod". I have four children and I've always reminded them to be considerate of other people. I'm not saying that they are perfect, they're not, so when they do misbehave I remove them from the situation. It doesn't matter what I'm doing. A couple of times I've left full shopping carts in the store because they've become unruly and I had to take them out to the car, or just go home.

put kids up chimmneys and under looms again thatll teach em to behave

this articl is not a single help to me so sorry <3

Spare the rod and spoil the child.That was drummed into me by my parents,schoolteacher,and local policeman when I was a boy.I still have the scars to prove it.What these little brats need is a dose of good old fashioned discipline.I brought up my two girls to be respectful to their elders.If they were naughty then I would give them a sound beating with the strap.I blame the parents myself.

Well this is a controversial subject but I'm with the old school on this one, spare the rod and spoil the child etc. I believe a lot of kids have nothing to fear these days which is precisely why they basically do what they want. Their fearful parents are too afraid to smack them, teach them right from wrong and basically prevent them from crossing the line. School teachers can no longer control them (I remember our teacher had a cane called Mr Herbert!). Let's face it, a couple of weeks off school is basically a holiday and time to get into more trouble. When is this madness all going to end?

I think parents should smack their children when they're being naughty in public!

Im going to put somebody who is already offended into a worse mood. Am I sorry to say ? not in the slightest.She can call me a moany old cow, if she wishes, but im not over the hill just yet.
I am a mom of 3 littlens,apart from the fact that they are not so little anymore (19,17,&12).
I agree with the old git (although im sure he has a name that he would rather be called by,but obviously has got used to he's new title dedicated to him by mothers with unrulely rug rats, who have had their noses put out of joint ).
I have to agree with Ace also.
Children are like a plant seed. You cant neglect it and just hope it grows well, and wonder why it is bearing bad manners. You need to nip out the bad behaviour when you see it, and I dont mean by smacking.
It maybe beneath some peoples understanding, but babies and toddlers are a lot smarter than people give them credit for.If youre child wants something in the supermarket, or wants anything, think about ways to reason with them, like ...they want to go to the park, you need shopping...Dont be shy to act stupid with them,and make them feel clever. Turn it into a "silly billy mommy" game.Tell them to help you find the things on the list, and they get 10p for each item they see before you. They must walk slowly and look carefully. They get 10p for each item they find to spend on sweets to take to the park after shopping.(just dont be doing a big shop when playing this game).
Sometimes, even when drained, it's better to take longer with a quieter outcome, than kicking and screaming through the shops.

I actually agree with old git. SOME parents do not retain enough control over their children. It starts from an early age though, you can't rein them in when they're 6 or 7, you need to train them how to behave in public long before then. Perhaps it's a symptom of the current generation who are producing offspring, they themselves were probably never taught how to behave in public so it is only natural that it should be a free for all. I can appreciate that mothers are stressed these days, perhaps because of the modern family model (no dad half the time, or mum has to hold down a job too regardless), but women (people for that matter) have always had to deal with family stress of some sort. The only thing that has changed is their expectations and the amount of complaining they do. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but it's how I see things.

That was the most selfish dimmest opinion I've ever read. I wonder if this foul mouthed control freak was always an angel when he was once an inocent harmless child? How would he like it if his mum was considered "dim" if he had misbehaved and deared to be human?!

Has he ever considered having any kind of empathy or understanding as to what us mothers endure on a daily basis through discrimnation and misjudgments?

Perhaps mothers need a t.shirt saying leave me alone - I'm stressed enough. Or have several signs coming off the buggy, saying: not neglected - just tired, hungry, trying for the millionth time to get my own way? Mother doing her best to remain calm and not lose it like a grumpy old man does in public!

I get tired of the looks when I am trying my best to deal with temper tantrums on a daily basis, what would he do? click his fingers, do a spell saying abra cadabra - unrealistic huh! get in the real world - what a control freak! Social services would be on most peoples doors if they think smacking and shouting would work - anyone considered that?

If I see or hear a child, I understand it's natural to be unpredictable in learning how to walk and I make sure I move and look the other way, not evily scorn and bang into a child - how immature is that - grow up! or I smile a knowing smile towards the parents in sympathy - because it's never their fault they are just weathering an unavoidable phase through love and patience.

And for all those childless people who think their child would never do this and that, just don't get it. So childless people and grumpy old men- don't ever look at parents assuming they can just fix it - sometimes there is nothing you can do, after trying everything - even so called professionals wouldn't know half the time. So stop whinging you old grump!

I'm afraid you sound like a classic grumpy oldman, who clearly lacks any consideration for anyone other than yourself.

Well I'm not a snotty yuppy, I am a decent human being who has respect for my fellow human beings. My daughter is now grown up and living away from home, but even though she suffered from ADHD she was never allowed to kick off in public. She was always expected to behave when we were out shopping, in the pub, wherever, and if she didn't, she had me and her father to reckon with.

Whereas I have asked for understanding regarding children with such issues, nevertheless there is never any excuse for allowing a disruptive child to spoil other people's enjoyment.

I too, am a grumpy old git then. For I am sick of them and the twatts that refuse to take responsibility for adequate parenting. Piggo - either you're that type of parent or you were raised by one.

We should take a stand. Get badges and T shirts and bumper stickers made. Maybe we could shame the parents into half decent parenting class to make up for their own deep inadequacies.

By the way Mike youre in a public place , deal with it, when I go out to places the last thing I want to see is a bunch of snotty yuppies clacking laptops and endlessly talking too loudly on cellphones ....