I went to a program for my daughter recently. I was sitting in the bleachers behind this gate thingy. We chose that spot specifically so that no one would sit in front of us. Well, a man sat down to the side of the gate (I think it’s used to close the bleachers) and he had two little boys with him. They were loud and they started climbing up and down the gate in front of me.
Now, I don’t mind kids. But I get really, REALLY irritated when parents don’t control their kids. Especially when they let them roam in front of other people. To me, that’s just plain rude.
This man tried to grab his kids and sit them down NUMEROUS times. It was obvious that he had no control over them. They would squirm, cry, and run right back to climbing the gate in front of me the first chance they got.
I was there to see my daughter get recognized. I wanted to hear what was being said. Let’s just put it this way; I completely missed the first speaker until this man finally (in utter despair and exasperation) grabbed both of his kids and left the gym area. It was like a peaceful calm entered and I could finally pay attention to the ceremony at hand!
Parents – you need to have some courtesy when bringing young children along to public events. Whether it’s a basketball game, a Christmas program, ceremony, whatever…. Other people are there to see their kids. I can’t tell you how many special moments have been ruined because of inconsiderate people!
Now, I’m not void of compassion. I had two little girls too. I raised my stepson and had to attend many of his events with two little ones in tow. It’s hard. I know that. But I also know that it can be done.
It is not the child’s fault that they cannot sit still for an hour or two. They shouldn’t be expected to! But they CAN be quiet. What I used to do was bring a small backpack with us whenever we attended an event. It had several quiet activities inside of it – coloring book and crayons, or pencil and notebook, small snack, water bottle, a little book, and a few small toys or stuffed animals. This would do the trick almost every time! It kept my little ones occupied, fairly quiet, allowed me to watch and give my attention to my stepson’s programs, and it also kept my little ones from disturbing other people. Even if you don’t have a little backpack, a pencil and a small notebook can usually fit inside of a purse or you can bring along one matchbook car, favorite blanket or stuffed friend and just have your child carry it with them.
We need to work with our children and not expect them to act like little adults in situations that they are simply too immature to understand. I do think we should explain to them ahead of time what expectations we have of them in the way of behavior though. No child should think it’s okay to trod upon someone else’s space but to give respect to another individual. Teach them to whisper, sit fairly still and to obey. But at the same time, bring something to keep their attention and interest for a little while knowing that they can’t hold still as long as an adult can.
While you may think your children are darling, not every stranger would agree. So keep them occupied so that everyone else can hear and enjoy the performance, program or ceremony at hand…. Even you.
