Got some good "jerk parents" stories?

[Mystic]

My mom and I witnessed one on our last trip in December 2006. We were having dinner at the Rose & Crown in Epcot. We were seated outside but up next to the dining room when a family of three was seated next to the railing over looking the lagoon right in front of us. First the woman snapped at me thinking I was looking at her husband saying she knew he talked alot. First off I wasn't even paying any attention to what they were doing since I was still a little spacy due to the migraine medication I had taken earlier. They then proceeded to hassle the poor waitress all the while arguing with each other and using their poor son as a weapon between them. The father had told the boy he could use the knife with his dinner, where upon his wife snapped that he couldn't so the man turned to his son and told him his mother said he couldn't use the knife. It went on like this for the entire meal.

 

[wcj1968]

And it reminds me of why I believe a child isn't old enough to take to WDW until he's at least 4. Key words being AT LEAST!

At the risk of being an echo. It is mainly the parent and not the child that steer the experience. We took our oldest for her first trip just a week shy of her 3rd b'day. She had a great time for the entire trip. Granted, we had no illusions that she would enjoy learning the advantages of hyroponic gardening at Epcot. I enjoy the Disney World experience as much as anyone, but watching the kids reactions to the magic is usually more rewarding and enjoyable for me than 5-10 minutes on any ride. Disney knows how to make things magical...If you let them.

 

[sbkline]

It's not the child that's the problem - it's the parents! Too many parents have no clue how to relax and enjoy spending time with their children, and have no idea how to set an example of good behavior for them. We took our kids every year from the time they were quite young, and I can honestly say that they never once pulled a horror show. Yes we had some cranky moments at times (we all did!), but as a parent you learn to be flexible and deal appropriately with them without resorting to escalating violent behavior.
Our trips with the kids are some of our best Disney memories, and I wouldn't hesitate to bring them again if I had it to do again!

Don't get me wrong, the behavior of the parents in all these cases was extreme and inexusable and, from the sound of it, sometimes with no provocation at all. So I certainly don't justify the parents at all.

But when I read these stories in this thread of children breaking expensive merchandise in the store, or the squalling brats having their "meltdowns", it just reminds me why we choose to leave our's home until he's older and makes me more confident with that decision.

Plus, I know my own limits, faults and shortcomings and patience with that kind of crap is not one of my strengths by any means. And I don't want my son to start acting like a demon and me then respond by acting like some of the fathers described in this thread. :lol:

 

[DisneyGigi]

At the risk of being an echo. It is mainly the parent and not the child that steer the experince. We took our oldest for her first trip just a week shy of her 3rd b'day. She had a great time for the entire trip. Granted, we had no illusions that she would enjoy learning the advantages of hyroponic gardening at Epcot. I enjoy the Disney World experience as much as anyone, but watching the kids reactions to the magic is usually more rewarding and enjoyable for me than 5-10 minutes on any ride. Disney knows how to make things magical...If you let them.

Very well said and after reading some of the horror stories on here I am shocked There is no excuse for some of the things people have posted about seeing IMO.
As much I love Disney (alot) I love watching my kids faces more. WDW of all places should be a place for fun family memories.
Maybe I am lucky but my kids get tired sometimes (grown-ups do too) and a little cranky but it never lasts long. Both have been going since a very young age and never had a tantrum (nor have we). I still think compromise is the key, planning is great but some people over do it and flip out if something is messing up their touring plan. We take turns in doing things and let everyone have their pick of what to do next. It just works great for us.

 

[Dagger]

:ROFLOL:

Ive seen some people interacting in ways with their kids at WDW that I didnt think was appropriate. I try to remind myself that as long as it doesnt cross the line to abuse, that I dont have the whole story and just mind my own business. There have been times on trips with our own young kids that I have had to really stem melting down myself. Kids are going to meltdown at WDW. You just have to expect it and just take a couple of hours out of the day to get through it.

Very well put. In a lot of the cases, we don't have the whole story, but sometimes it just doesn't matter what may have happened before it... it's just not justifiable!

 

[Dagger]

So...my family and I are getting on the boat at the boardwalk on our way to Epcot, it's our first fully day in Disney World and we are pretty excited...we're waiting for the boat to come and there are a Dad and son sitting on a bench behind the line
Dad: Here's mommy!
Son: Hi
Mom goes off! She just starts yelling and screaming about how they left without her and it's not her fault she was late and oh my gosh they didn't GET ON THE BOAT without her. It was just so rediculous, the dad tried to shoo the poor kid away while he and mom sorted things out but I felt so bad for this kid. So, we got on the boat and she huffed the whole way to Epcot. They must have had a real fun day... :lookaroun

Not that it's right, but I'm going to guess you aren't married... I see stuff like this all the time.

 

[Dagger]

Well those are definatly some interesting stories.

I cannot imagine someone loosing their cool on vacation . If you are a parent you know it can be very hard to keep your cool.
There is a line no parent should cross and it seems like I always see someone cross it down there.
I also dislike it when I get the roll of the eyes from strangers when my kids act up. Look, they are kids people. Or when I tell my kids to straighten up, not violently or loud but stern enough to get their attention, and I get the "how dare you" looks from people who must have never had kids, or their kids were perfect.
I think alot of people loose their patience at Disney, its awful to witness, but I think we can all relate a little.

Darned if you do, and darned if you don't...

 

[Dagger]

And it reminds me of why I believe a child isn't old enough to take to WDW until he's at least 4. Key words being AT LEAST!

How many percentage of parents, do you think, only go to WDW because their children want to? Personally, we took our 16 mos. old because WE wanted to go and we will remember the memories for our lifetimes. It was awesome and she was an angel during this trip.

Also, right on Playhouse Disney, where my toddler watches Mickey Mouse, they're constantly advertising Walt Disney World park. I don't think WDW intends that children not come until 4. My daughter is too young to ask, but I know she'll be asking before 4!

Every kid, and every phase, is different.

 

[dave2822]

Oh! I have a good one! Not quite parent to baby, how about stranger to baby?

One night a few years back (let's say 2005), Wishes ended and the MK was closing, per usual. Well, as hoards and hoards of tired guests make their way towards the exit, you have to plan on getting bumped a few times.

Now, this lady bangs her stroller into the back of some guy's feet - I don't think she did it purposely (i.e. using her stroller as a weapon, as you sometimes see), I think it was just too crowded and she wasn't paying good enough attention.

So the guy turns around, literally takes the stroller (kid in it and all) and gives it a good WHACK ... and then proceeds to shake it (kid in it and all). Needless to say, the mother and the entire crowd around the incident nearly ripped this guy apart getting him away from the stroller. The guy apologized and looked pretty embarrassed. Heck, crowds are tough and strollers to your ankles aren't a good feeling, but I would never shake babies :lookaroun

 

[hcswingfield]

Oh! I have a good one! Not quite parent to baby, how about stranger to baby?

One night a few years back (let's say 2005), Wishes ended and the MK was closing, per usual. Well, as hoards and hoards of tired guests make their way towards the exit, you have to plan on getting bumped a few times.

Now, this lady bangs her stroller into the back of some guy's feet - I don't think she did it purposely (i.e. using her stroller as a weapon, as you sometimes see), I think it was just too crowded and she wasn't paying good enough attention.

So the guy turns around, literally takes the stroller (kid in it and all) and gives it a good WHACK ... and then proceeds to shake it (kid in it and all). Needless to say, the mother and the entire crowd around the incident nearly ripped this guy apart getting him away from the stroller. The guy apologized and looked pretty embarrassed. Heck, crowds are tough and strollers to your ankles aren't a good feeling, but I would never shake babies :lookaroun

We have learned to plan our vacations so that we are on our way home before we get as stressed out as that guy was. We also try not to be in MK on our last day when we are tired from a long week in the parks, and try to leave MK for meals in one of the resorts so that we get a break from the screaming kids and stroller derby participants.

My story - I actually laughed at this, but I can only imagine the impact to the kid. There was a mother and her son in line in front of us for RnRR. The kid, about 9 or 10 years old, asked his mother if the ride was scary. She said "You liked It's a Small World, didn't you? This ride is a lot like that" and then she winked at us.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

I don't think my parents allowed me into a "crystal shop" until I could spell Mississippi backwards! :lol:

My parents warned me not to touch anything at the crystal shop in Cinderella Castle (grr....Bibbidy Bobbity Boutique....sorry, I just can't stand that this is going into MK). I can remember perfectly walking in and being so scared to break something I held my hands together in front of me.

My parents would never have hit me, but I A) didn't want to go back to the hotel, and B) didn't even want to see how mad they would get.

Unfortunately, it seems kids these days are either ignored by their parents or treated as royalty.

 

[Hakunamatata]

We have learned to plan our vacations so that we are on our way home before we get as stressed out as that guy was. We also try not to be in MK on our last day when we are tired from a long week in the parks, and try to leave MK for meals in one of the resorts so that we get a break from the screaming kids and stroller derby participants.

My story - I actually laughed at this, but I can only imagine the impact to the kid. There was a mother and her son in line in front of us for RnRR. The kid, about 9 or 10 years old, asked his mother if the ride was scary. She said "You liked It's a Small World, didn't you? This ride is a lot like that" and then she winked at us.

For some reason I am pulling a blank on RnRR???:shrug:

 

[shoppingnut]

For some reason I am pulling a blank on RnRR???:shrug:

Rock n Rollercoaster

 

[Hakunamatata]

Rock n Rollercoaster

Ahhhh....I was thinking at MK since the mom referenced small world...:lol:

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Parents have been using variations of this type of "discipline" for generations. Even the kids know that it isn't going to really happen. I've tried a variation or two of this one and my kids just look at each and roll their eyes and snicker. They know it's an empty "threat".

That's true. My parents never let me forget the story of my older sister. She was 8 or 9 and I don't remember what she did, but she really mouthed off to my parents and was bad (not at WDW). My parents told her to apologize or they would cancel her birthday party (not a big affair, just cake for a few of her friends). She refused, and continued to mouth off, and they totally canceled her party.

I say good for them for sticking to their guns. They were firm, and we rarely did anything bad enough to deserve any kind of punishment, and never in public (at least according to my parents, who, similar to others here, say that they used to get compliments about our behavior), and I like to think we turned into pretty good adults.

I still can't believe they followed through...I believe they also made her call her friends and tell them why they couldn't come (rough....).

 

[Nemo14]

It's not the child that's the problem - it's the parents! Too many parents have no clue how to relax and enjoy spending time with their children, and have no idea how to set an example of good behavior for them.

Plus, I know my own limits, faults and shortcomings and patience with that kind of crap is not one of my strengths by any means. And I don't want my son to start acting like a demon and me then respond by acting like some of the fathers described in this thread. :lol:

I rest my case.....

 

[dragonfox98]

This past May I saw a woman that was at least 6 months (probably more) pregnant ride Rockin Rollarcoaster. I was shocked. This seemed like such a dangerous thing to do.

Are you sure she was pregnant? I'm not trying to flame you - I'm asking because my best friend looks as if she is eight months pregnant, but she is not. She has a disorder that the doctors have yet to identify. Just be sure the person you're criticizing is indeed pregnant before you jump to conclusions.

BTW - just as a side note, I was told by my midwife I can ride any ride I want to - RNRC included, but I am not doing it (I don't like the way the harness keeps you in).

 

[slappy magoo]

Slightly off-topic, and even though I don't have kids yet, I don't think I'll get flamed for what I'm about to say.

Stories like these is one of the main reasons I'd always opt, if possible, to stay onsite. To be able to easily take a restless or tantrum-throwing child out of the park, back to the hotel until the meltdown ends, and then go back if the kid is behaving...that, to me, means a world (or, World) of difference. To not have to think about traffic, or driving back, or whether I'll get a parking spot, etc, and still be in a resort I'd genuinely enjoy.

My wife and I often play a counting game, one of us will look for "Screaming kids" and the other takes "screaming parents" and whoever gets more wins.

And despite decades of kids being told not to talk to strangers, I find, at WDW, talking to kids in front of their parents about their day - where they've gone, what characters they met, their favorite part of the day, etc. - tends to be a hoot for everyone. The kids get to go off on tangents, and the parents are usually entertained by the exchange.

 

[Master Yoda]

That's true. My parents never let me forget the story of my older sister. She was 8 or 9 and I don't remember what she did, but she really mouthed off to my parents and was bad (not at WDW). My parents told her to apologize or they would cancel her birthday party (not a big affair, just cake for a few of her friends). She refused, and continued to mouth off, and they totally canceled her party.

I say good for them for sticking to their guns. They were firm, and we rarely did anything bad enough to deserve any kind of punishment, and never in public (at least according to my parents, who, similar to others here, say that they used to get compliments about our behavior), and I like to think we turned into pretty good adults.

I still can't believe they followed through...I believe they also made her call her friends and tell them why they couldn't come (rough....).

I like the way your parents operate. I did something similar to my 13 year old last year. We travel in the off season which requires us to take the kids out of school for 2 days so the deal has always been if there is more than 1 C on the previous report card or progress report they can't go. Well Zoie had 2 F's on her progress report that came out shortly before our Christmas trip so she spent that trip at grandma's house. She has been A/B honor roll ever since.

 

[joanna71985]

yeah its called "sit down" or go get a chair to wheel her in u stand so u can see the show and enjoy it well his kids and family are doing the same thing.


He shouldnt have said what her did ( if he was gonna do it then just do it dont threaten)
me I would ve went to a cm and b#@ched the heck out of them

That was just plain uncalled for.

Anyway, I have one from when I was working with Peter Pan and Wendy. The line had already been closed for the evening when a lady came running up with a couple of kids. I felt bad that I had to tell her that the line was closed. But when I told her, she just started complaining and being really rude. She also told me that I was be unreasonable. Then when the last family finished (and I waved Peter Pan and Wendy off, because they looked uncomfortable with all this going on) she even started following us, asking where we were going and asked to see a manager. She did end up complaining to a manager, but he backed me up.