Or do you let yr DC behave like this?

[Clary]

Out with DD at an event this pm which included food; we sat with another family we know quite well. Chat etc was fine, but I was amazed by the behaviour of the children.

They are bright kids and their parents seem pleasant but I was taken aback when the 7yo pushed back her plate and declared she couldn't eat the beans they were yukky, like a toddler really; then started pinging them on to the table - when I put them back on the edge of her plate she cried out and threw them on the table again.

Then she put pepper on my plate - at this point her dad remonstrated rather feebly "Don't do that Daisy" the other kids who are 13 and 10 thought it was hilarious and started putting salt and pepper into everyone's drinks. Very little was done, mum raises her eyebrows and says "goodness they are wild". One of the kids even took me to task for the way I said glass (with a short vowel thanks - I am from the northern wastes of the East Mids, as are they!).

I hope my DC behave better in adult company - certainly they are no angels and don't always use knife and fork but at least they don't throw food on the tablecloth or put salt in someone's drink!

Gosh sorry for rant, just wanted some assurance that I am not expecting too much from today's kids

[WorraLiberty]

YABU

That's the sort of behaviour we should all hope our kids aspire to.

[Mrsjay]

I would have got up and left them to it they sound really cheeky I wouldnt have allowed my kids to behave like that, putting salt and pepper in drinks I would have marched mine home,

[MrsCantSayAnything]

Little shits.

(sorry am in bad mood)

Yanbu. You should have pinged the kid on the head with your fingers. That would have sorted her.

[Kalisi]

I'd have made their parents buy me a new drink if the little shits darlings had put pepper in mine!

[Mrsjay]

Yanbu. You should have pinged the kid on the head with your fingers. That would have sorted her.

you really are in a bad mood

[CaptainKirksNipples]

Mine have never done that but can occasionally misbehave, but def would not in public! They are 6 and 8. It's annoying actually because the last 3 weddings (all friends not family) we have been to dc's have been invited because they know how to behave, eat anything and can party into the night without getting grumpy [smug] I'd quite like a child free wedding...

We go out about once a month for a family night, usually cinema/ bowling and a meal so they are used to it. Maybe these kids were not?

[Clary]

Well what really got to me was how old these children are! The oldest one is in year 8 and behaves like a 4yo IMO.

Maybe I am missing something and clearly our parenting styles are different (the mum was raving about letting them light fires in the local woods with flint she had bought them! I am just hoping she is with them but still...) but at least DD ate her meal. I just think if that was my child I would have said something rather firm. I guess it takes all sorts.

[nancy75]

My dd would not be allowed to behave like that at home, let alone out with other people.

[Startailoforangeandgold]

YANBU
DD2 would say beans were yucky. She tends to think a lot of food is yuck. She's 11 and just beginning to see why being such a pita about food is annoying.

However, she would never have behaved like that pinging food or messing with the salt.

[CaptainKirksNipples]

Just to add, the only thing worse than badly behaved kids is parents loudly and repeatedly disciplining them. Maybe they hoped they'd get bored soon or they were quieter allowing them than causing an argument?

[lucyellenmum]

ummm, you have mentioned the childs name and where you are - just saying, unless of course that isn't her name. You might have just outed yourself if your friend is a mnetter!

[Spons]

YANBU. Went out for meal tonight, is v family friendly place. Expect kids / noise- no problem. Is noisy place generally.

Had table of 7 adults, 3 children. Chdten charging about, screaming, at one point one was under my chair, in between my feet! Knocked coat of chair, knocked bag off table, no apology at all from parents. Literally everyone in earshot was looking over, just in shock! Parents totally oblivious.

[Sal100]

Wow! what horrible little children (parents)!

i would have said very loudly to my kids about their good behaviour compared to the other children at the table. and maybe told them off myself after giving the parents a look! and asked for a new drink without the pepper this time!

[WilsonFrickett]

Maybe the beans were yucky though? Fair enough my DS wouldnt have started pinging them round the table, but he is incredibly fussy/inflexible about his food.

[prudencesmom]

Awful. Unfortunately you will come across parents like this who dont care if their children are bad, and wont say or do anything.
What is the world coming to? Basic manners seem to be non existant.

[Clary]

LOL yes I have outed myself a bit eh? not for the first time

Still if the mum is a MN-er maybe she will teach her children some manners

[rowingboat]

The seven year old girl, well could have been having a bit of a moment, my ds is 7 and obviously so are all his friends. I find this age pretty challenging as do a lot of the other mums: happy one minute, defiant and angry the next.
The older kids were being pretty rude. Perhaps the parents had had the day from hell with them already and were sick of fighting?
Shame they didn't do anything, hopefully they will next time.

[Mrsjay]

clary she sounds a bit free range

[Mrsjay]

they not she

[WorraLiberty]

Sod being sick of fighting...if your kids are behaving like that you can't afford to be sick of fighting.

I would have given them one warning and then stood up and told them to get their coats cos we're going home.

[Clary]

Yeah free range is about the size of it.

[Mrsjay]

Sod being sick of fighting...if your kids are behaving like that you can't afford to be sick of fightin

this and I would have also taken them home how can any parent think putting stuff in drinks is ok is beyond me

[Bessie123]

Is she a Steiner mum? That could explain it..?

[louisianablue2000]

YANBU, the seven year old saying the food is irritating but not terrible but everything else is not OK and the teenagers putting pepper in drinks would result in a 'we are leaving NOW' response from me.