You Know You're a Grouch When.....

[MouseWife]

I had a few hours to yourself at DCA. Oh, I was enjoying my time, wandering about the shops, heading down towards the backlot, without any real destination.

Then I saw 'Monsters, Inc'. I thought to myself, that would be a short line, I can sit down for a bit and enjoy this.

I get in line. Some kids are playing on the rails, I keep my distance, they keep theirs.

Then, this family comes behind me. I'd say about 4 kids under 12, two about 16. They bump me. I look back at them like 'Hey, I'm here'. They look at me, I turn around. They bump me again. I turn around again. This happens a few more times. Then, one of the little girls grabs my wrist and hangs there for a few minutes. She wasn't a wee one, she was probably 8 or 9. I am looking at her the whole time like 'I am not who you think I am!!!' and she finally lets go. Then again with the turning around blah blah blah.

The kids KNOW I am looking at them, letting them know they are bugging me. They don't care. The older girls don't say a word. I had thought one might be a parent but with all of the times I looked, I realized neither were. Then I felt one grab my keychain on my backpack. Damn. What else can I do? I grab my keychain to make sure it's there and give them the upteenth dirty look and turn around.

So, we are finally closer and they are asking for 'Groups of 2?' and I say 'I am one!!' but by the time I get there it is my turn anyhow. I walk to the turnstile and the young man says 'You'll have to wait just a moment.' I tell him I can wait forever if it keeps me away from those kids. Who then come in line behind me!!!! The gate opens and I rush in and don't look back.

Then, for what reason, a female attendant comes up to me and says 'You wouldn't mind waiting for the next taxi, would you?' And I look at her and say 'Yes. I would'.

You guys HAVE to have stories where you find yourself becoming angry with kids and you feel like a old grouch. I hated feeling the way I did because I love kids. But, I do expect kids to respect my space.

Please tell your tales, I feel like such a curmudgeon!!

[JWBear]

I blame the parents.

[MouseWife]

I would have, but they weren't even there.

I am angry and also sad because, sure, the kids are doing whatever they want, but, there will come a time, I hope, when they realize that is just isn't right. Sad because these type of parents think that they are doing right by their kids. :rolleyes:

[Cadaverous Pallor]

You're not a grouch. At all. Those kids were jerks.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I'm frequently a cranky old fart.

[MouseWife]

Thanks, CP. It is depressing when I see things like that, where are the good kids???

alphabassettgrrl~ I sure hope you don't mind you've been quoted. :D

[alphabassettgrrl]

Apparently I'm quotable this week. :)

edit - wrong thread in my mind. Comment as listed did not make sense. :)

[€uroMeinke]

I hate it when the kids cut across my lawn

[CoasterMatt]

I used to have the Child Protective Services number programmed into my cellphone for just such incidents ;)

[Kevy Baby]

I hate it when kids tell the police where I touched them

[MouseWife]

See, when I was a kid, I totally respected peoples' spaces. There was one guy who did not like kids riding by his house on their bikes. Oh my gawd if you turned around in his driveway!!! So, I never did that.

Ya know, at work, a cops wife told me that we should call the police on a mom who left her son alone in the food avenue while she shopped. For a couple of hours. He attached himself to a young cashier but he was a cashier, not a sitter. My boss scoffed at me and said we don't do that.

And, Kevy Baby, we won't go there. :eek:

[libraryvixen]

At the library (because a majority of my grouchy grump stories come from there), there are kids who are left at the library because their parents are at work. This wouldn't be a problem but for the fact that the kids tear up the library, they're loud and disrespectful. I pull out the Shusshing hat for those special children. When the kids get way out of control, they're asked to leave. My favorite part is when the parents come and yell at us because their kids were kicked out.

[Gemini Cricket]

Children should not be seen and not heard.

:D

[Disneyphile]

I learned a fun retaliation from my sister -

When there are wee ones misbehaving and the parents refuse to do anything, just start swearing like a sailor, thus teaching the lil' darlings some new vocabulary. :evil:

This is especially easy to get away with kids who are bumping into you, and then snap, "Oh, holy ****! That ****ing hurt! ****! Ow!!! Mother****ing Jesus, Joseph and Mary!" :evil:

It's amazing how quickly the parents will steer the kids away. ;)

Sometimes, the parents will get upset and say, "Hey! Don't swear around my children!", to which the response is, "Sorry! It's my reflexes from being kicked and shoved. I can't help it." ;)

[Stan4dSteph]

In that situation, I might have just gone ahead and said something to the kid. Touching me and/or my stuff? Not cool. Hands off, brat!

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Children should not be seen and not heard.

:D

Awww! Children should be seen and heard and loved... and if you do it the right way, they come out simultaneously fun and respectful of those around them. It's often the repressed ones who break out rudely when their parents aren't around!

[Gemini Cricket]

Awww! Children should be seen and heard and loved... and if you do it the right way, they come out simultaneously fun and respectful of those around them. It's often the repressed ones who break out rudely when their parents aren't around!
joke http://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.png–noun 1.something said or done to provoke laughter or cause amusement, as a witticism, a short and amusing anecdote, or a prankish act: He tells very funny jokes. She played a joke on him. ...

[Cadaverous Pallor]

At the library (because a majority of my grouchy grump stories come from there), there are kids who are left at the library because their parents are at work. This wouldn't be a problem but for the fact that the kids tear up the library, they're loud and disrespectful. I pull out the Shusshing hat for those special children. When the kids get way out of control, they're asked to leave. My favorite part is when the parents come and yell at us because their kids were kicked out.We had to deal with this a lot at the small branch, which is right near an elementary and jr. high in a poor neighborhood. I don't think it's as much of a problem at my library, but then again, the kids section is far from my workstation. Having a Teen Zone helps a lot, since they have a place to be, away from younger kids and adults. It's when these groups clash that you get problems. Best part of the new building is the divisions.

We've got this volunteer who works our Welcome Desk and man, none of us have anything on her when it comes to grouchiness. She adores complaining to me about childrens' antics. She wants them all on leashes. I almost had an argument with her about leashing children. :( She also says "I'd like to punch them" in such a way that you're not sure if she's joking or not...

[MouseWife]

Man, I didn't even think of people dumping, er, dropping their kids off at the library as a 'sitter'. I've always loved the library and its' quietness.

My son works at GameStop and people leave their kids there, some times for HOURS while they go to other stores, one lady went to lunch!!! I think the problem is they don't respect that they are not entitled to being there. I think that everyone is too concerned with being sued for this or that they don't tell people what to do.

LOL Oh man, I like that swearing part. See, I control my mouth out of respect for the little kids. But, you are right, if they don't show respect for me, well, seems about a fair trade!!!

LSPE~ I got that GC was kidding. But, you are right. That is probably why I didn't give the kids a verbal lashing, I just wanted to get away from them. They aren't being taught how to be respectful people. I see it so much, parents think their kids deserve to do whatever they want that they don't realize they aren't teaching them boundaries.

It is very disappointing. Parents just don't parent.

It was very difficult to tell my son that he couldn't drive until he had a permit, blah blah blah. Well, the neighbor let his 12 year old son drive his truck, to the store. And, the other neighbor also let their kids drive at about 13/14. I mean, we don't live on a farm!!! {I understand that may be legal in that case?}

In the library situation, are you allowed to post a sign or something that states any unruly patrons are subject to being told to leave?

[katiesue]

We used to get dropped off at the Library all the time. Or we'd go after school. But we would actually read books or do research for reports and things. I can't recall that we ever got in trouble, although we did always stop at Party Port for penny candy and sneak it in. I know for sure if we had our parents would have KILLED us.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

GC, I knew you were kidding. I just don't like that particular phrase, even when used in jest; my father's side of them family actually believed it and disliked those of us who disagreed.

And MouseWife, I've had a similar experience (in the very long line at the DL Princess Faire) and I was frustrated and furious, too. I wish more parents would pay more attention to their children's behavior! I was just trying to lay the responsibility at the feet of the parents, who really can make a difference in the way kids behave.

[Gemini Cricket]

I think I would have tried the "I surrender, I win" approach during this situation. As soon as they started messing with me, I would have let them go ahead of me. In fact, I'd get back in line after a couple of other parties pass by too. That's easier than putting up with them especially since you acknowledged their shenanigans which only makes them do it more.
:)


I'm pretty good with kids. But there are times when my patience is thin thin thin and they bug the crud out of me. Especially at the park. I find it annoying that parents let their kids roam free in DL. But the reality is is that it's going to happen and I prepare myself for seeing/interacting with dinglecheese kids. I report unparented children shenanigans to CMs all the time. But then again, there are other kids who are well mannered out there (like I was when I was a kid) and they deserve credit where credit is due yaddah yaddah blah blah.

[MouseWife]

Parents can be so worthless, though.

At one of those parking lot carnivals for kids {a pumpkin patch} I was in line with my son, standing behind a boy who'd been waiting eagerly with his ticket in his hand. I think he was the extra one who didn't make it on the last ride so he had to wait for the next one. Well, a woman came up with her kid. She got in front of the boy. He looked at her but I think maybe he didn't speak English and so he just gave her a look like 'Um...okay...big lady...'. I told her 'He is in the front of the line, the back of the line is here.' She said 'So?'

I maintained my composure thinking 'Right, show your kids just how to be a decent person'. It kills me because I really try and show my kids right from wrong, by my actions.

Only once did I get really pi$$ed and ask the kids where the woman was who took the innertubes from them at the water park saying shiet to them. I was like 'Point her to me...I am going after her right now....' as I was putting things in the car freeing up my hands. The Hubster had to calm me down.
She had claimed they took them from her kids, or had cut in line or something. I know my kids would not do that. I seriously have faith in them to do the right thing in that situation.

[MouseWife]

GC~ that probably is what I should have done.

As kids {about 10 and up maybe} we were also allowed to roam in a small group. But, yessir, we did behave ourselves!!

At work, I will tell the parents whose children are well behaved that they have wonderful children. I do think, though, that the crying miserable children are the faults of the parents. Either they've pushed them too far and they are exhausted and crying is what they are going to do or else they've spoiled them by never saying no so they cry until they get what they want.

It does hurt my heart, though, to see the quiet repressed kids whose parents give them a look or spew mean words at them. You wonder how things are at home.

GC, I totally believe you were a good kid. :snap:

[Gemini Cricket]

Conversely, I think parents who are too protective, too restrictive can be just as bad as the absent or absent-minded ones.

I did this special event at the Monterey Bay Aquarium several years ago. It was a kids' craft booth. All they had to do was cut construction paper and glue it to make a finger puppet.
One 8 year old kid's mom:
"Robbie's not allowed to use scissors. I'll do it for you, Robbie. You'll just cut yourself."
Now if the kid was special needs, I would have agreed. He wasn't.
Another:
"Jessica, you're cutting it all wrong, stay on the lines!"
Another:
"Nice finger puppet, I guess. Try it again."
Doing this event made my heart hurt. I decided then I shouldn't be a grade school teacher.
:D

MW ~ I don't know if the event will require you to tattoo "grouch" on your forehead. I think it would have bugged anyone.

[Gemini Cricket]

GC, I totally believe you were a good kid. :snap:
I was. Not all of the time, but most of the time. Especially in public. If I had a chance to do it again, I'd definitely try to get away with more shenanigans.
I remember seeing a kid when I was about 4 or 5. He ran down a supermarket aisle with his hand out knocking over can after can of Campbell Soup. I remember thinking that it looked like a lot of fun to do.
:D

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Children should not be seen and not heard.:DI would vote for unseen and not heard, but that's just me. I am a grouch.

This is especially easy to get away with kids who are bumping into you, and then snap, "Oh, holy ****! That ****ing hurt! ****! Ow!!! Mother****ing Jesus, Joseph and Mary!" :evil:

It's amazing how quickly the parents will steer the kids away. ;)That is absolutely brilliant! I must remember to do that next time!

[MouseWife]

I was a middle of the road protective mom. Made them wear helmets out on the concrete to ride their ride ons, but let them do it. Gave them scissors, glue, paint, playdoh.

I can't believe parents who don't like play-doh. Sure, it can be messy, but, it is such a great thing for the kids to use. Their manual dexterity, their imagination. All the parents think about is the carpet, etc.

We always had areas set up just for the kids. Well, our whole house was for the kids but for that sort of stuff, tables, covers, whatever. They had paint easles, too.

That is what baths are for.

Oh good, if I am going to get a tattoo, I would like one more sinister. :evil:

[MouseWife]

I was. Not all of the time, but most of the time. Especially in public. If I had a chance to do it again, I'd definitely try to get away with more shenanigans.
I remember seeing a kid when I was about 4 or 5. He ran down a supermarket aisle with his hand out knocking over can after can of Campbell Soup. I remember thinking that it looked like a lot of fun to do.
:D

Sure, it looked like fun, but you knew it was wrong.

Well, kids do that at my job all of the time!!! One night, they found a whole row of towels that had been sprayed with shaving cream!!! The whole row!!!

[Gemini Cricket]

Kids are a lot smarter than people give them credit for. They did that to MW because they knew it was bugging her and they knew there wasn't much she could do in retaliation.

I think I posted this somewhere before, but my friend's kid makes a public display every time he's being scolded or gets grabbed by the arm for something he did that was wrong. When my friend would grab his arm and put him in his stroller, the kid would go, "Ouch! They're hurting me. Heeeelllp! Someone help me!"
You can imagine what kind of looks my friends get from people in a mall. Does the kid know that what he was yelling would make his parents look bad? Of course he does.
:D

[Gn2Dlnd]

I use the Cesar Milan method. Just look directly at the kid or kids and use my Adult Authority Voice, "Knock it off!" Works wonders, and I instantly achieve "sir" status.

When it's clueless families, or teens too old to care, I get out of their way and let them pass. I always tell the ride operator I want a different ride vehicle. No problem.

Old enough to be an Occasional Grouch, old enough not to care.

[BarTopDancer]

It's amazing what a very stern "Walk!" can do when you see a bunch of kids running. It's even funnier when they have no idea who said it.

[katiesue]

At Disneyland with my out of control Niece who has her parents totally snowed.

Madz- How come I don't get to act like that?
Me - because I would beat you senseless (she knows not literally)
Madz - oh
Me - see why I make you behave it's not very pleasant to be around is it?
Madz - No - now I get it.

[MouseWife]

No kidding, GC. I'm an old grouch with a soft heart. :rolleyes:

I'm a gonna quote you...GN2Dlnd......just letting you know.....;)

BtD, I can so imagine yelling that and seeing the kids stop and look around, priceless!!

[Gemini Cricket]

I can't yell at other people's kids. It often makes the parents of said kids turn into werewolves.

[Gn2Dlnd]

I'm a gonna quote you...GN2Dlnd......just letting you know.....;)



Anything I say is fair game...

[BarTopDancer]

I can't yell at other people's kids. It often makes the parents of said kids turn into werewolves.

That's the only "yelling" I do, and it's only if it looks really dangerous. More often then not they have no idea where it came from and there are no parents around. I've been seeing DL security crack down running a lot these days We got a "stop it" look for skipping :(

In the situation MW was in I probably would have asked, then told them to stop touching me and then just let them go bother the people in front of me.

[Kevy Baby]

I use the Cesar Milan method. Just look directly at the kid or kids and use my Adult Authority Voice, "Knock it off!" Works wonders, and I instantly achieve "sir" status.When we experienced a kid who thought he could just barge his way through a line at USH, I just looked at him and asked if that was what he was supposed to be doing. "I think you should go back to the end of the line and wait like everyone else" (or something to that effect). I then just stood and looked at him - not overbearing or rude, just waited patiently for him to make the right decision. After a couple of seconds, he reluctantly turned around and went back.

And Susan and I have no problem disciplining other people's children. If they are acting inappropriate, we respond accordingly. I don't recall ever having an adverse reaction from the parents.

[Gemini Cricket]

KB ~ But you look dad-like. Beard and all. Me and MW just look like angst-y thirtysomethings...
:D

[MouseWife]

KB ~ But you look dad-like. Beard and all. Me and MW just look like angst-y thirtysomethings...
:D

LOL Ah, really? Thanks. :D But yeah, I think I just look like a person who can't stand kids. But, looks can be deceiving. :)

[3894]

Amateurs yell. Professionals give unruly kids the eye.

http://manoloshoeblog.com/images/sunset.jpg

[Kevy Baby]

You Know You're a Grouch When...


You screen name is innerSpaceman



:D

[MouseWife]

LOL Oh, I did!!!! Not so good as her, but I did!!

My favorite 'Back off!!' was from 'Honey, I Blew Up The Kid' or what ever the title was.

[Gemini Cricket]

Another thing I do, when there are annoying kids in line behind me, is fart. If you can make their hair blow back, you win.

[BarTopDancer]

Wow. There's an LOLCat for every occasion.

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/funny-pictures-mom-lion-yells-at-offspring.jpg