Can we take a moment to discuss the phenomenon of parents who overlook their children’s disruptive behavior in public settings?
Consider this scenario: a local language school organized a storytime event for kids aged 4 to 6 at the community library. Each session featured stories and songs in different languages, so I decided to take my 5-year-old. We joined six or seven other families with their little ones, all seated on the floor, while the parents lounged on benches a few feet away.
The session began with cheerful Italian greetings—“Ciao, bella!”—and soon the storyteller introduced puppets and props to enrich the tale. However, just a few minutes in, a little girl approached and began tugging at one of the puppets. The storyteller smiled and kept the puppet out of her reach, but she persisted, jumping up to grasp it. Almost immediately, a little boy followed suit, reaching for the other props. The storyteller tried to redirect them, asking them to return to their seats, but their brief compliance was followed by more attempts to grab the puppets.
This scene, while typical of preschool behavior, was incredibly disruptive. What shocked me more was the parents’ reaction—or lack thereof. They simply sat there, beaming at their children without intervening.
I’ve observed similar patterns before. Whether it’s a toddler attempting to climb on stage during a performance or parents who bring a fussy baby into a movie theater without taking them out when they cry, the trend is troubling. And let’s not forget the recent incident where two women filmed young boys shattering a glass sculpture at an art museum in China.
While I generally avoid criticizing other parents, I struggle to understand the logic behind watching your child ruin an experience for others without stepping in. Is this the result of hands-off parenting? Are parents so enamored with their children that they overlook the impact on those around them? Or is it simply a lack of awareness? I genuinely want to grasp the mindset that allows a parent to witness their child’s disruptive behavior without any attempt to correct it.
Though I typically don’t subscribe to the notion that children today are overly entitled, I’m increasingly frustrated by parents who find misbehavior charming. It’s not cute.
I’m not confrontational, so I hesitated to intervene during the storytime, especially since the parents were right there. I felt sympathy for the storyteller, who was visibly annoyed yet remained professional, likely hoping to encourage parents to enroll their kids in language classes. Just as I was about to speak up, the story concluded, and the moment passed.
There are countless ways to raise children, and I respect that different styles work for different families. However, basic courtesy is universal. If my child was trying to grab a storyteller’s props, I would calmly pull him back and explain why that behavior isn’t acceptable. If he persisted, I would remove him from the situation. This seems like Parenting 101, doesn’t it?
Children with special needs often deserve some understanding, given that certain developmental challenges can lead to outbursts. But even in those cases, guidelines should exist for acceptable behavior. Basic social etiquette can be taught to nearly every child, but it requires parental guidance. Importantly, none of the children mentioned in my examples had special needs.
In conclusion, parents need to stop passively observing their children behave poorly. If your child is being disruptive, interrupting a performance, or infringing on others’ enjoyment, please take action. If your child is breaking clear rules or behaving rudely, it’s your responsibility to intervene—at least make an effort! No child is above basic manners, no matter how special or adorable they seem to their parents. Can we all agree on that?
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Summary
Parents must actively manage their children’s behavior in public settings to avoid disrupting others. Observing children misbehave without intervention is concerning and can diminish the experience for everyone involved. Proper etiquette and respect for shared spaces should be a priority for all parents.