So our park trip today involved me grumbling at some young teenagers, just as I did when I last went to soft play, and in another park visit last week. Today my 4 year old was on a little bouncy ride-on when 3 teens, who had been jumping up and down on a climbing frame shouting swear words because it was HILARIOUS, piled over and shoved her off, resulting in my daughter running over sobbing and asking to go home. I suggested they should have some consideration for the small children in the park which resulted in much sniggering and heckling for the rest of our time there. Admittedly I could have just left it instead of asking if they thought it was funny to make a 4 year old cry and suggesting they need to show some respect!! Last soft play I shouted at some teens to get out of the baby sensory area as they were bashing into each other and rebounding near my 9 month old and another crawler. On the walk to preschool the other day I had to suggest that somebody in the group needed to make way on the pavement rather than us having to walk on a busy road. I'm so fed up of scolding kids! I was a teenager once and I think I was considerate and respectful (plus I was just hanging in the woods getting stoned and snogging boys 😏). Aibu to expect teenagers to show consideration? I am mortified to think that my own girls will one day behave like that in a teenage group situation.
AIBU?
To think that young people will show consideration and respect. Should I just lighten up?
linglingb · 30/05/2016 22:07
You need to work on your hard stare. 
There is a soft play near us that's massive and allows kids up to 16. There is a part where there are guns to shoot foam balls at eachother and some kids about 14-16 were ganging up on my four year old. He came and told me. I went down and asked them if they proud they were able to gang up on and upset a four year old. They ran off to their mum and dad. Their mum and dad came marching over. I stared at them as they approached and they turn right round and walked off when they got about 6 feet from the table. Dh says my stern face is excellent for these situations, it works on chuggers too.
But honestly op is not teens. Some people are knob heads. Some people, when their shitty behaviour has been pointed out, act even shittier because they don't know what else to do.
Work on your stern face. It really helps.
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