No one likes a screaming kid or crying baby in public, even the most understanding of parents. Fortunately for me Natalie is so amazed with her surroundings while out and about that really no matter how tired she is she stays pretty content. I usually like to leave her with a sitter when I go out to eat or grocery shopping anyway, simply because it is that much easier when she's at home. Not every parent has the option of leaving their child with someone while they have a nice lunch out or run errands though and kids will throw fits from time to time. You can't control it. I've always been understanding of this, even before the thought of becoming a mother ever crossed my mind. Not everyone is so accepting though and there are many "no kids allowed" policies springing up at restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, airlines and even grocery stores around the country.
It's no secret that the traditional notion of getting married and popping out babies is becoming less desired for a lot of people. I'll admit that I didn't always want kids. That didn't last long and I realized how important having a family was to me. I don't have a problem with anyone who chooses not to become a parent. I do have a problem with the snotty attitude of childless people though.
Every time I see a little kid having a meltdown in public I turn my head the other way. I know it's like a siren when you hear a child screaming, you have to look in that direction, but I have seen so many people stare, whisper and give dirty looks to the parent whose child is misbehaving. It's downright rude. Do you think it's helpful to do this? Do you think the parent will say something that will miraculously stop the temper tantrum because you, holier than thou you, gave them a death stare? People need to travel with their kids. They need to go to the store and other places while their children accompanies them. Is it really that hard for you to ignore a baby needing to be fed or a whining child?
I am not saying children should be allowed to run wild and misbehave. It is the parents responsibility to teach their child how to act. Kids are kids though. The younger they are the even harder it is to console them when they're upset. And yes, they might freak out in the middle of an aisle because you told them they wouldn't buy that new toy. Is your life really that much harder because you had to walk by that?
None of us were magically cast into perfect, well mannered adults. We all started off as annoying, antsy, impatient little beings who got on someone's last nerve. It really disturbs me how intolerant the world is becoming of children. This is how our species goes on. What ever happened to children being the "future" and not a nuisance to society?
