Parents let their kids eat trash?

Bump so I can read this thread later and realize how ignorant some people are.

Here...mom of 4 kids, in-home daycare of many more over the years

So it's acceptable for you to give us the stink eye when when we're trying our best to enjoy a nice meal ourselves and are already humiliated over the way our child is acting? It's okay for you to make us feel like a bad parent because, while we're trying to teach our child self-control, respect, manners, how to communicate, etc., how dare us ruin YOUR meal?

While folks who don't have children might have SOME valid parenting advice (not usually), this one you have no clue on unless you have a child.

I want to preface this by saying that just because I don't have my own children doesn't mean that I have no experience with them. I was a day camp counselor and a nanny so before you jump down my throat about what I'm saying, I just wanted to thow that perspective out there.

The key part in what you've said is TRYING. If your kids are acting up and you as a parent are TRYING to teach them the appropriate way to behave in a restaurant, I'm pretty much unbothered by the fact that your kids aren't quite on board with the concept yet. It's when I see parents letting their kids get completely out of control while they text or surf the web on their phones that I might give someone the stink eye (not that they would see it anyways).

I know parenting may be somewhat different now than when I was a kid, but if I had behaved the way some of these kids I see at restaurants do, one of my parents would have taken me to the car until I was ready to behave myself. If the behavior was bad enough, I probably would have been spanked--which apparently isn't allowed anymore but that's besides the point.

I understand that sometimes kids have a fit because they don't get their way and you just have to let them cry until they realize that crying and throwing a tantrum isn't going to get them what they want. But some behaviors are simply attention getting and there are too many parents who just refuse to set boundaries for their kids.

I'm really not trying to bash parents who have kids that get out of control from time to time. Even the best parents and the best kids in the world are going to have a bad day and not have it together sometimes. I get that--I really do. But even someone who is not a parent can see the difference between a family who is just having an "off" day and a family who doesn't discipline their kids and would let them get away with murder so they as parents can do what is best for them instead of what is best for their kids.

So it's acceptable for you to give us the stink eye when when we're trying our best to enjoy a nice meal ourselves and are already humiliated over the way our child is acting? It's okay for you to make us feel like a bad parent because, while we're trying to teach our child self-control, respect, manners, how to communicate, etc., how dare us ruin YOUR meal?

While folks who don't have children might have SOME valid parenting advice (not usually), this one you have no clue on unless you have a child.

Really? If you are humiliated over the way your children are acting in a public place....DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. YOU ARE THE ADULT. Far too many times I have seen kids absolutely out of control while the parents are lolly gagging around not doing jack about it. Ridiculous, I tell you. I have absolutely every right to be angry when my nice dinner is ruined because people can't control their children. And just be happy if all you get from me is the stink eye b/c I am one to speak my mind. I chose not to have kids for a reason, why should I have to suffer because other's can't control theirs........just my opinion.

Banish kids from society I tell you........

Oh no...don't speak your mind to me....

I have no problem with kids...they are just that...kids. It's the parents that don't control their kids that I have the problem with. And I especially have a problem when people are like "oh, well we are embarrassed by the way our kid is acting too"...seriously? WTF is wrong with you. Learn to control them.

So it's acceptable for you to give us the stink eye when when we're trying our best to enjoy a nice meal ourselves and are already humiliated over the way our child is acting? It's okay for you to make us feel like a bad parent because, while we're trying to teach our child self-control, respect, manners, how to communicate, etc., how dare us ruin YOUR meal?

While folks who don't have children might have SOME valid parenting advice (not usually), this one you have no clue on unless you have a child.

Really? If you are humiliated over the way your children are acting in a public place....DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. YOU ARE THE ADULT. Far too many times I have seen kids absolutely out of control while the parents are lolly gagging around not doing jack about it. Ridiculous, I tell you. I have absolutely every right to be angry when my nice dinner is ruined because people can't control their children. And just be happy if all you get from me is the stink eye b/c I am one to speak my mind. I chose not to have kids for a reason, why should I have to suffer because other's can't control theirs........just my opinion.

Banish kids from society I tell you........

Oh no...don't speak your mind to me....

I have no problem with kids...they are just that...kids. It's the parents that don't control their kids that I have the problem with. And I especially have a problem when people are like "oh, well we are embarrassed by the way our kid is acting too"...seriously? WTF is wrong with you. Learn to control them.

I love the learn to control them argument by those that aren't parents. It's so precious.

Side note, my kids don't act like this in public. There is an age (18mos-maybe 3years) where it's a lot easier said than done to "control" them.....just say'n.

I do not have children, but my assumption would be that...if the parents were eating poorly before and had children and taught them to eat poorly and NOW the parents want to make better choices in eating when the child is old enough to say, "no! i want chocolate, not broccoli" then it becomes VERY difficult to get your young children to follow the bandwagon when they've already been exposed to poor eating habits early on. It takes more work to try to get them on the same track as the parents because children will refuse to eat or throw fits and no parent wants their child to starve or cause a scene. Gotta start them off early.

It is precious, isn't it? I rather enjoy things that are precious .... But truth be told...I would have never got away with what I see parents let their kids get away with. You're right, I don't have kids (my choice) but I did have a strict a** mom that put me in my place when I even so much as started to throw a fit. It can be done. Parent's CAN control their kids....most just choose not too.

Your strict a** mom was able to put you in your place at 18 months? This secret must be shared with the world....

Now it's "most" parents...nice blanket statement.

It's not trash. It's food.

This exact subject makes me so damn irritated! I swear people think that it is child abuse if you feed your kids healthy food! And you know what?!? I hate even calling it healthy food! IT'S FOOD!! REAL DAMN FOOD!! The garbage that most people feed their kids is disgusting!! I have people judge me all the time because my kids eat what I eat...vegetables, proteins, low sugar. They think that I am being unfair to my kids and that I'm not feeding them real food. I love how people think that hot dogs, cookies, candy, pizza, etc is a great diet for kids. To me, FEEDING YOUR KIDS THAT CRAP IS ABUSE!! Sorry! Had to rant..I was having this exact discussion with someone today because they said they couldn't diet because they couldn't feed their kids diet food!!! What exactly is diet food?? Are you talking vegetables, fiber, good oils/fats, lean meats? Because that is real food!! GRRRR

AMEN! All these posts are irritating me as well. Food is not a treat! Junk food is not an essential part of childhood! Also, if you are offended by the OP question is because deep down you feel guilty for feeding your kids trash.

Says the childless.

I've been looking in on this thread from time to time. I'm not a parent so who am I to judge. But I feel that eating junk food like chicken nuggets and french fries is part of being a kid. Their little raging metabolisms can handle it. I'm not saying every day all the time, but geez! it's part of growing up. And then teaching them to have a healthy attitude about food and making wise choices most of the time, is part of growing up too.

The thing that bothers me the most about this thread is calling it 'abuse'. I'm sorry - but feeding your kid junk food may not be the best thing, but it's hardly abuse.

Quote;
This is how we were brought up also. My family never took youngest kids that had trouble behaving in public out that much until they got old enough to handle it. Oddly enough, them feeling "left out" helped tremendously with behavioral issues in public.


A cousin of mine took her three kids to Cedar Point. The youngest was too small to be allowed on one ride and threw a major screaming fit. My mortified cousin took all three kids home, immediately. The older two, justly furious that they had been forced to leave due to the misbehavior of the youngest, went a long way to teach her ( the youngest) that if she ever ruined an outing for everyone by behaving like that again, she would probably not survive it next time.

This thread makes me a little nuts and makes me laugh as well... and at times it makes me sad. These "control your child" posts make me very sad. What sort of adults will we be raising if we teach our children to bow to authority at every turn and take away any autonomy? What would it do to our society if we punished out of our children their innate questioning nature, their need to have some control over their lives, and the spontaneity and wonder that can make life so rich? I know this thread is about what kids eat, but it has turned into so much more. Where would we be if Martin Luther King Jr.'s parents had taught him to bow to authority, do as you're told, don't question, and above all do not make your own decisions? What if, because of stifling parenting practices, we did not have all of the heroes of our past, and present that have questioned authority and come out on the other side having improved society?

No... do NOT stifle your child... If they're screaming in a restaurant then take them to the bathroom and have a talk. If that doesn't work then get a box and take them home. But "controlling" them? What are you gonna do... spank them for being a kid? Threaten them with punishment for having energy, and thoughts, and wants, and needs? Just the thought of "controlling" children makes me sick. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

This thread makes me a little nuts and makes me laugh as well... and at times it makes me sad. These "control your child" posts make me very sad. What sort of adults will we be raising if we teach our children to bow to authority at every turn and take away any autonomy? What would it do to our society if we punished out of our children their innate questioning nature, their need to have some control over their lives, and the spontaneity and wonder that can make life so rich? I know this thread is about what kids eat, but it has turned into so much more. Where would we be if Martin Luther King Jr.'s parents had taught him to bow to authority, do as you're told, don't question, and above all do not make your own decisions? What if, because of stifling parenting practices, we did not have all of the heroes of our past, and present that have questioned authority and come out on the other side having improved society?

No... do NOT stifle your child... If they're screaming in a restaurant then take them to the bathroom and have a talk. If that doesn't work then get a box and take them home. But "controlling" them? What are you gonna do... spank them for being a kid? Threaten them with punishment for having energy, and thoughts, and wants, and needs? Just the thought of "controlling" children makes me sick. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

:drinker: :flowerforyou:

We weren't talking about them having energy and wants and needs. We were talking about them pitching a fit in a restaurant and annoying other people. No parent should allow that.

This thread makes me a little nuts and makes me laugh as well... and at times it makes me sad. These "control your child" posts make me very sad. What sort of adults will we be raising if we teach our children to bow to authority at every turn and take away any autonomy? What would it do to our society if we punished out of our children their innate questioning nature, their need to have some control over their lives, and the spontaneity and wonder that can make life so rich? I know this thread is about what kids eat, but it has turned into so much more. Where would we be if Martin Luther King Jr.'s parents had taught him to bow to authority, do as you're told, don't question, and above all do not make your own decisions? What if, because of stifling parenting practices, we did not have all of the heroes of our past, and present that have questioned authority and come out on the other side having improved society?

No... do NOT stifle your child... If they're screaming in a restaurant then take them to the bathroom and have a talk. If that doesn't work then get a box and take them home. But "controlling" them? What are you gonna do... spank them for being a kid? Threaten them with punishment for having energy, and thoughts, and wants, and needs? Just the thought of "controlling" children makes me sick. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

:drinker: :flowerforyou:

We weren't talking about them having energy and wants and needs. We were talking about them pitching a fit in a restaurant and annoying other people. No parent should allow that.

And just what do you think causes them to pitch a fit in a restaurant... or anywhere else for that matter? *sigh* SMH