Photos
Blog
NewslettersCaution: can of worms opening ahead
Before I get to my main point, I need to clarify one thing: I don't have kids. Having said that, it's not that I have anything against them, they're just not for me.
In fact, it's because I kind of like kids that I'm going to say this: Parents, please, don't take young children to places where it's kind of inappropriate to have young children.
Last night, I was covering the Technical College of the Lowcountry nurse pinning ceremony yesterday and there were a lot of unhappy little ones there. Let's face it, if you're 4, you don't want to be at a formal ceremony. And I know babysitters can be expensive, but the least that parents can do is take the kid out if they're getting fussy.
Sure, kids need to learn how to behave in public, but baby steps. No matter how much you hush or threaten, a toddler can't sit still for an hour.
So, what do you think? Am I way out of line for suggesting that kids only get taken to age-appropriate places?
- Meghann Ackerman's blog
- Login to post comments
- 455 reads
Amen.
And for the record. I LOVE kids! Its just that theres a time and a place for them. If they are somewhere, and they star to fuss, the respectful thing is to remove them from that environment, as to not bother anybody else.
Those parent types can be brutal. You opened the can of cans.
I do have kids. All I know it's that it's not the kids but the parents. I can proudly say I could take my kids from at least by the age of two anywhere, and not once did I ever have issues with fussing and screaming and crying.
Well, I have one child. I graduated with my masters when she was 5 years old. She attended my graduation ceremony and I wouldn't have had it any other way. She is 7 now and remembers when I walked down the aisle to get my diploma. It was a beautiful moment. I understand that it is a formal affair, but if children aren't exposed to that situation they will never know how to behave. I am sure no one intends to take a beautiful moment away from anyone, but most of us with children, I believe, would want them there at such a milestone in our lives.
I'm all for the child being their for a loved one's special moment...if they can behave. As bad as I would feel for someone who had to leave their kid at home, I'd feel just as bad, probably even worse, for someone who had to sit through a formal occasion and listen to a kid fuss and their parents fuss right back.
By the way, I'm in no way implying that your child, claudia42282, can't behave.
Agreed, if the child cannot behave, find a way to leave them out of the situation. There are plenty of parents who bring their children to these types of events and if the child starts to behave in a disruptive way, they take them outside so everyone else can enjoy what is going on. I absolutely agree with that. I just feel that you can't exclude ALL children. And Joe, many parents aren't in control, just as you said. There is a time and place for your children, but when I or someone else with children is celebrating a moment in my life such as this one, I'm bringing my kid. But don't worry, she knows who is in control;)
Sometimes Meaghan, people seem to forget who the parent is.
When my son is being all of 14, and whining and cajoling and begging over, for example, a tv program we told him he could not watch, I realize that I, not he, owns the television, and the signal coming to it. Therefore, I reserve the right to act like a mean, stubborn, unreasonable and cruel parent and turn it off.
As others have said, children have a place in family events, but such a situation is not merely YOUR family event. You are NOT the only people in the entire world as much as the media wants you to think you are. Leave the kid at Home. If no sitter, then be prepared to miss the ceremony. Disappointment is part of dealing with adult life.
Gone are the days of "children should be seen and not heard". I have 3 kids and I think they behave well, overall. We do have emotional meltdowns occasionally (usually my 3 yr old) and I simply take the disruptive one out of the room with me so they don't disturb others. I don't think quarantining kids is the answer. The need to learn how to act properly in public and at different social events. My girls were awewome at their great Grandma's funeral. They noticed how quiet and solemn the adults were and went right along with it. I also find that bringing snacks keep kids quiet. Atleast until the snack is gone.
Suppose an adult began disrupting the event with talking, crying, running back and forth, or whatever actions would take away from everyone else's enjoyment of the event? Would that adult be allowed to remain? I submit to you that that adult would be removed by whatever security agency is assigned to maintain order.
Why should a child be allowed to remain JUST because he/she is a child? And if the parent or assigned guardian does remove the child, then those around should verbally insist the child be removed. If that does not work, then those in authority should make it happen.
A little common sense is all it takes. Is the disruptive child keeping the responsible adult from enjoying the event? Of course. Then why remain and ruin it for everyone else? Frankly, if a disruptive child does not spawn at least slight embarrassment for the parent, then the parent is an insensitive dolt.
I love children and yes, I think they need to be exposed to situations in order to learn the proper social etiquette. However, when they become disruptive, they should be removed by the responsible adult.
That being said, have you ever been to a local high school graduation? It's AWFUL and it isn't the children. It's the "responsible adults" in the audience who yell, scream, blow air horns and disrupt the ceremony. They make so much noise, often you miss the name of your loved one being announcement because the crowd continues in an undignified uproar. I dread my son's graduation because of this scene. People also get up in great number once their loved one's name is called and walk out further disrupting the ceremony and view.
I've attended my nephew's high school graduation in another state and was amazed how dignified people from other areas behave. It would be so nice if we could restore some of the honor and dignity that this event deserves.
Ugh...high school graduations are the work of the devil.
Some of the most dignified HS graduations are those involving private schools. Many even still have a baccalaureate before the graduation as some universities do. A baccalaureate has a religious theme and the definition is "A farewell address in the form of a sermon delivered to a graduating class." Some institutions combine the two. It's a tradition that goes a long way back.
Of course with the present interpretation or the separation of religion by the secondary school administrators, even a prayer is a no-no. At least the private schools and the halls of higher learning can have a prayer and a baccalaureate if they want.
Absolutely right, Egret. And this is likely the explanation of the undignified actions of so many "adults". BTW, Beaufort does not have the market cornered on those "adults"...but we do have a huge per capita share of it.