I do not know what has happened to polite society and the issue of children run amuck. It seems everywhere we go, children are running. From table to table in a public restaurant, in the mall, thru the airport, around cars. . . you get the point.
This takes me back probably a good 20 years or so as Maree and I were in Puente Hills Mall, City of Industry, CA - at Carl's Jr. Just some stupid quick meal, however, we were looking for dinner. Not Romper Room. The booth 2 away had two moms it it seemed as if 20 children but there were only two of them. Around 4 and 6 years old. My kids were 7 and 4 so I had a pretty good comparison to their behavior.
These kids were jumping from booth to booth, running amongst the chairs and standing/jumping in their seats. I was becoming more and more agitated and Maree could see it in my face. She is starting to look at me with that "please don't" look when I lost it.
Excuse me (to the obvious mother) . . . are those your kids? Now mind you, I have a huge smile on my face and look genuinely as if they are God's gift to humanity. Yes, they are - with an equally huge smile of pride on her face. So, I let go. "Well (not sure what I called her so I'll make it up) Ms. Mom out of Control. . . not sure whether you know this or not but your children are an embarrassment and it's all because of you. Seriously, this is a public restaurant whether or not the implied "fast food" prefaces the name. This is not your garage or backyard. For some of us, it's actually a night out. How about some control and little consideration that we are NOT enjoying your hooligan children wreaking havoc on our seats, feet and atmosphere!" Maree struggled between shock and respect. I frankly didn't give a shit. My kids would never be allowed to behave in such a manner. Society has gone done hill from there.
So DD and I do on the rare occasion hold society in judgement. Me more than him. He'll make VERY loud side comments where the folks will hear. I'm a little more direct. Either way, we are those folks holding you and your offspring accountable.
I had pulled into Ontario Mills parking lot - Ontario, California, on my lunch hour and was talking to my son on the cell phone while parked. Out of the corner of my eye, I see out my window, the car next to me roll down the passenger window and toss a fast food bag out the window and onto the parking lot. Are you kidding me? Without thinking I tell Devin to hold on, open my door and yell at the man - Hey, pick up your trash! This is why we pay more and have crappy parking lots. Walk the 15 fee and find a trash can!
He looked shocked, Opened the door, picked up the bag and apologized. He then walked the bag over to a trash can. I nodded and got back in the car. Only then did I tell Devin what I'd done as he has heard it all via a far away cell phone still active. The man was a young African American man. Gang style clothing (pants below his rear, chains, tattoos, doo-rag hat and an attitude) and it never occurred to me to be afraid. Indignation had taken control. I was holding someone accountable for society.
Another time in Ontario Mills, the kids were VERY young, my ex and I were shopping with the kids. Some mom in the middle of everything, took off her husbands belt, and starting literally beating her 3 or 4 year old kid in the middle of the mall. What could he have possibly done to deserve that? I turned on my heel and yelled - "That is why the circle of abuse will continue!! Stop it. What in the hell do you think you are doing??? He's so young!!!" At that point my ex was hustling off my children and was VERy angry with me later. I didn't care. Why are we not stopping the bad we see?
There has been a resurgence of social heroism since 9/11. Certainly not on the same level as child rearing but draw the line where you wish. Not everything is acceptable. There are good manners, bad manners, socially acceptable behavior and things that appall us. Stand up and don't let what your good parents taught you about what is acceptable. Please.
As for the children that terrorized our visit to Moran, WY and thought that running to the buffet for 5-6 cookies, and jumping that damn step between floors was necessary - I'll blame it on your British upbringing. You had better calm your children down NOW. You seriously are not doing them any favors by letting them "be kids". They are poor mannered and need to be reigned in. Whew - I'm exhausted after that one!
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