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Original poster

Loud parenting in public spaces

358 replies

76born · 30/05/2025 12:56

AIBU to say that even as a parent of two, I find loud parenting and following this, loud children really bloody annoying.
Two examples this week which have had me furious 😡 (I’m obviously bored and need to get a life)
Example one, sat in a cafe now enjoying a cup of tea whilst my two build Lego (it’s a Lego cafe) and one parent is commenting on her child’s building skills, eg “oh wow Timothy, great building of a really high tower Timothy, look jacasta, look how high Timothy’s tower is” (names changed). Now dad joins in. His I’m really mean..
Example two, walking home from school last week when a young g child of about two being pushed in a pushchair mumbled and pointed at something. Mum, in the loudest, poshest voice ever, “yes darling, that black Range Rover is like the one found at grampy’s house”.
i am perimenopause, I get the rage at minor things and just would enjoy your thoughts and of course, examples, to add to this thread.
I thank you

OP posts:
memoriesofamiga · 30/05/2025 13:15

Agreeing so much right now, currently on holiday in Spain and there's some impressive performance parenting going on at the hotel pool. English Mum loudly 'teaching' her 3 and 1 year old how to swim - "KICK KICK KICK OUT! GOOD BOY! WELL DONE! WHAT A GOOD BOY! KEEP KICKING!". Her voice couldn't be more annoying I just want to tell her to pipe down.

WhiteCloudd · 30/05/2025 13:14

I overheard someone say I was performance parenting at the park. I was literally just talking with my child. 🤷‍♀️

susiedaisy1912 · 30/05/2025 13:14

Performance parenting is so annoying.

Rizzz · 30/05/2025 13:11

Really involved communicative parents are great, especially when so many opt to ignore their kids in favour of their phones.

But the OP is talking about performance parenting and that's something quite different.

It's both comedic and tragic at times and very very embarrassing for their kids once they're old enough to be able to see what their parents are doing.

It's never done for the sake of the child.

bruffin · 30/05/2025 13:07

Backtoreality1 · 30/05/2025 12:59

I understand your annoyance, but on the other side of the coin, I am much happier seeing parents talking with their children rather than just being hooked to their phone and ignoring the child.

We had a particularly bad day of it Cambridge,
a mother loudly parented all round a museum, oh thats an elephant can you say elephant, but when we got into the lobby , both her 2 children escaped out of front door, while she ignored them. My ds and I had to rescue them

Dontlletmedownbruce · 30/05/2025 13:05

When I see very enthusiastic parents I just assume they don't hang out with their kids often enough! An exhausted looking mother engaging quietly only when called upon or smiling wistfully while half ignoring their kids in the playground is most likely the one who is doing the hard work.

That said I agree with @Backtoreality1 a loud overly engaged parent is 1000 better than the ones on their phones, or the ones pushing buggies while kids are on a screen.

Jewelanemone · 30/05/2025 13:00

As a nursery school manager I hear performance parenting on a daily basis. It really is pathetic.

Backtoreality1 · 30/05/2025 12:59

I understand your annoyance, but on the other side of the coin, I am much happier seeing parents talking with their children rather than just being hooked to their phone and ignoring the child.