jesserin said:
alright... i'm opening myself up here for a big flaming... but it has to be said...
There were instances on our trip where I could be accused of being parent B.
There is no excuse for rudeness... and heaven forbid a parent push someone out of the way with their stroller - b/c that is quite rude... but to the credit of the parent - people that tend to view others as discourteous for trying to navigate a stroller tend to be the same people who find themselves standing still when someone is clearly saying excuse me... even if it is interupting the fireworks or show or whatever... and you just want to stand their and watch and not have to keep moving out of the way... you've chosen to place yourself in an environment with children. And kids have needs that can't necessarily wait like an adults... I remember well how frustrating it could be trying to accomodate kids all day when it was just my DH & I touring the parks...
Sure you can get in front of me to see mickey, OK i'll move for the 10th time b/c this kid has to go the bathroom... again... No problem sweetie - take my seat on the bus you look like you've had a long day... Here, I know I've been sitting here at this parade spot for 2 hours and you just walked up - but go ahead have a seat...
Frustrating? yes - and i suppose some would say how dare a parent let their child behave like that! But seriously come on - were we not all kids too at one time? I mean maybe a few of you had that horrible of a childhood that your parents made you wet your pants and miss parades all together b/c you were standing in line for dumbo and now there's no place to see - but really... most of our parents weren't like that at all... I'm the oldest of 4 - some of which are still kids... and my parents have taught us to always be kind and respectful of others... but here again- they are kids! And yes, kids will be kids - not bullys... that's unexcusable - but kids are impatient - (we all were!) kids have small bladders - (we all did) - Kids get excited and angered easily! (and that's ok!) there's appropriate ways of handling these situations and some parents choose to have it out with their kids right then and there and some wait... this whole thread is such a joke to me... kids are not behaving any worse in WDW than they used to - we just older now and instead of being that "unbehaving kid" ourselves - we are now the "so much wiser and well behaved adults"
So how about we stop "blaming" parents for not parenting - and try to practice some patience ourselves... I'm with Dana - i go to have a good time and honestly - a kid bumping into me 3x's or squeezing in beside me at a parade just doesn't bother me... as well it shouldn't.
Since we are the "adults" here - let's be the one's to act like it and exercise patience and try to be a little more forgiving... I have yet to read one instance here that a child physically abused or did something illegal in the parks... that is unexcusable... kids being kids and running or riding in strollers until they're 13 is just dumb to complain about... personally i wasn't allowed to run or ride in a stroller past the age of 3... who cares?
flame away... i just figured i'd be honest and ask y'all to remember when you were kids... oh i know - "my mom never would have let me run" yeah... sure... and you walked uphill both ways in the snow to school every day too huh?
okay. not going to flame, but going to point out a HUGE discrepancy here.
All of the "pro-parenting" (just making a term to make it easier) arguments really seem to be missing the point of some of the other arguments. I am very patient with kids. I realize they are going to be loud, inconsiderate, etc. They are KIDS. My problem actually tends to be more with tweens that should know better. If a kid squeezes in next to me at a parade, is it annoying? sure. But, it's a kid. Do I think the parent should say something if he/she is aware, yes. But that is because courtesy is a largely dying art in this country. And I have to say I don't know of anyone or any argument that will suggest otherwise to me. It is close to, dare I say it, objective fact.
Also if you are going to attack stereotyping, don't reverse it. I am a fairly accomplished crowd navigator. I do my best to zip in and out and be very aware of everyone around me. When you have a large piece of equipment with you, you should be on an even more heightened awareness. I realize they are difficult to navigate, but it is your choice to use them. Use them properly. If you are taking your time, asking people politely to move (and excuse me works just fine), I really don't think anyone here has a problem. If you are blindly wandering with a large piece of equipment that is not self-aware and can really hurt if it bumps someone, you are at fault. Period. Sorry, but I see that simply as the way it is. I would love them not to be allowed because they really are problematic from a congestion standpoint, but I absolutely see the need for them.
The jist of this post is that I think several people that are either being offended or are staunchly against the arguments made are citing very different behavior than those finding a problem. Yes, children's behavior can be very poor and annoying, and I would bet that parents would be first in line to say that. However, the biggest problem I have seen is not taking responsibility for this. If your child is doing something that is causing a disruption, you, even though it may be difficult, have the responsibility out of courtesy to do your best to control it. If she is tired, you get a stroller and must try to keep it under control and be courteous navigating it(which many are not). If she is throwing a tantrum, control it or remove her from the ride or restaurant. Of course a high level of patience is expected, but that is balanced by a high level of responsibility by parents. An apology, an excuse me, or even statement to the child goes a long way.
And just to put it in context, I would bet most of you are not in the category. If you are saying excuse me and people are not responding, that is rude behavior on their part. It's when there is rude behavior on the part of the child or parent that is not only ignored but known and not responded to that we have a problem. "Kids will be kids" is not a ticket to allow improper behavior (again, something it doesn't sound like anyone on here does). It is not the behavior but the reaction that speaks to me.