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Just a suggestion ...

Letters |
Friday, June 26, 2009

I am writing in response to the June 19 letter, "Suffering their tantrums," from the Flints.

I am a mother of two children, 4 months and 3 years of age. My husband works hard and we get limited time as a family. We are not from around this area, so trusting someone with our children is a challenge for us. Also, in this economy, it's difficult to afford that luxury.

I bring my children everywhere, shopping, out to dinner, church — wherever we go. That is part of our family time. They are good boys but all children have tantrums. That does not make them brats and does not make us inconsiderate.

I wonder if the Flints have children. I am sure if they had, they would have been in a situation where the children had tantrums. I'm sorry we cannot all be perfect parents. I would rather enjoy my time with my family. If the Flints prefer not to ever deal with children, maybe it's time they go to places that don't allow children.

Just a suggestion.

Christine Zielinski, Lewiston

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

K0NPHL1C7's picture

I have 2 childern, neither

By K0NPHL1C7, unverified — Thu, 07/30/2009 - 17:00

I have 2 childern, neither of them have EVER thrown a tantrum in public. If they even START, I just give them "the look", and they pipe down right quick. I'll be damned if my kids are going to act disrespectful in public.

twitch's picture

you are right - just because

By twitch, unverified — Mon, 06/29/2009 - 14:07

you are right - just because a child has a tantrum does not make them a brat, nor does it mean they have bad parents. BUT it does mean that the child is overwhelmed and no longer able to control themselves and needs to be removed from the environment until they can control themselves. its cruel to the child, not just bystanders when you insist on ignoring them and going about your business anyway. i have left a half filled grocery cart behind in a store because my son reached the 3 warning mark. he knows before we go in what i expect. i will give 2 gentle warnings and one stern reprimand and then we leave. you can even take the cart to the front and ask an associate to put it in a cooler for you if you think you might only need to leave for a short time. they are usually happy to do so as it means they won't have to restock the items OR listen to your crying child. I have only ever had to do this once with my seven yr old when he was 3. i had to do it with the 4 yr old a few months ago and as i was leaving the store a grandmother with her grandchildren complimented me for taking charge.
as for other public places like restaurants and movie theaters...you should know your child well enough to know when they are ready for those activities. my older son wasn't ready to eat out at a restaurant until he was 5...my younger son could handle it at 3. until they could handle it we had my mil baby sit if we wanted to go out or we ate at a child oriented establishment (mc'd has some great healthy food choices). we made the mistake of taking the 4 yr old to a movie...my husband ended up walking hte halls so my 7yr old and i -along with the rest of the patrons - could watch the movie in peace...we did NOT chose to inflict a talking, squirming, whining child on the rest of them!!!

fiercepuppy's picture

Keep your dam kids away from

By fiercepuppy, unverified — Fri, 06/26/2009 - 19:30

Keep your dam kids away from me and my loved ones, they are yours take the responsiblilty and realize you can't release them on other folks, they have more right then you to a reasonable time out, you and your screaming kids are the problem.If you can't grasp this concept then you do not belong in society period.

Tired's picture

Let's call a spade a spade.

By Tired, unverified — Fri, 06/26/2009 - 15:23

Let's call a spade a spade. Anyone who brings a screaming brat out in public, then does not have the decency to remove that child when he/she acts up, isn't only inconsiderate. They are stupid. Being inconsiderate is a symptom of stupidity. Simple.

shellby's picture
verified

there are times when I am

By Linda Daigle, verified user — Fri, 06/26/2009 - 14:03

there are times when I am shopping and you almost feel held hostage by a screaming child. I am the one that doesn't have the child, but I have to put up with your screaming child--totally ignorant and inconsiderate--if people are glaring at you, here's a hint-they don't find your child's tantrum amusing and have a hard time understanding why you still insist on spending the next 45 minutes subjecting everyone in the store to it. Get a clue.

Hulk's picture

If your children have

By Hulk, unverified — Fri, 06/26/2009 - 11:46

If your children have "tantrums" in public places and you don't immediately remove them that makes you inconsiderate.

willie's picture

i know this isnt the spot to

By willie, unverified — Fri, 06/26/2009 - 10:20

i know this isnt the spot to ask, but i am lost on this site. where is sunspots located? search brings up nothing. if this is progress, i guess i can do without it.

FC_Observer's picture

I, too, have children and

By FC_Observer, unverified — Fri, 06/26/2009 - 10:17

I, too, have children and would never suggest that families do not go out. When a child has a tantrum, cannot settle down and is obviously disturbing others. The child needs to be removed from the scene until they are calm enough to return.

Your right Christine, having a tantrum does not make a child a brat, but a parent who does not remove a child who is disturbing others is inconsiderate.

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