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Original poster

Entitled parenting at Waddesdon Manor this afternoon...

126 replies

bookwormsforever · 31/12/2018 18:54

Previous post was deleted because I mentioned names...

We were sitting in Wigwam cafe outside watching a light installation. There was a semi circle of trees, each being lit up. Two screens behind a rope for kids to press and the lights changed colours.

Anyway, two kids went under the ropes and over to the lights. They SAT on a light, breaking the cover off. Then they turned two lights so they faced the opposite way. Parents? Standing watching them with indulgent smiles. Kids were about 5.

When the dad went over to call them back, I said to him, do you think you could parent your children? They're not meant to be behind the ropes, they're spoiling it for everyone, and they've damaged a light. He just looked at me and said 'right'. Then as he walked away he flipped me the bird (the kids said; I didn't see).

What a knob. And the mum too. No wonder kids are enttiled if this is the sort of shitty parenting they grow up with.

OP posts:
knittedmouse · 31/12/2018 18:56

Now don't be silly, they were just expressing themselves. You shouldn't be interfering with a free range creative process.

fartfacemcfartfaceface · 31/12/2018 19:00

He sounds like a charmer.

Unfortunately it rarely ends well when you pick people up on their poor behaviour OP, even though you were right to do so.

Original poster
bookwormsforever · 31/12/2018 19:10

No, maybe not, but I couldn’t sit there and watch his kids destroying an expensive and well designed exhibition that was for everyone to enjoy...

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
IMissGin · 31/12/2018 19:15

Must’ve been the day for it. I was in reiss today while 2 kids (guessing 5 & 8) ran amok amongst the rails, under tables hands through all the clothes chasing each other. Mum stood in queue in front of me- completely ignored them

ivykaty44 · 31/12/2018 19:21

It’s time people said something, no need to shout or be nasty.
I recently very quietly told two mothers that I had come for a chat and coffe but couldn’t as there children were running amuck. They left - result. A cafe isn’t a play ground & why don’t they get a take away & go to the park?

Original poster
bookwormsforever · 31/12/2018 21:07

There were so many badly behaved kids today. And so many crap, weak, ineffective parents. Gah.

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 31/12/2018 21:10

I've known a couple of families like this. I've been too shocked to say anything.

drspouse · 31/12/2018 21:12

do you think you could parent your children?
Do you think you could find a more pleasant way to ask?

dementedma · 31/12/2018 21:19

don't get me started ....last week a rare night out for DH and I and a pub meal ruined by little Archie running amok. parents occasionally called out "Archie, calm down", "Archie come here" or "we'll go home if you don't behave".....
Fucking nightmare!

nancy75 · 31/12/2018 21:19

Why does she need to find a more pleasant way to ask? She shouldn’t need to ask at all - the patents should be keeping their children under control, it shouldn’t need a stranger to point it out

Jellyonawonkyplate · 31/12/2018 21:20

Damn right you were too. If they're allowing their entitled brats to wreck things for everyone else then you were right to tell them. You were too polite if anything.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 31/12/2018 21:21

Do you think you could find a more pleasant way to ask?

There’s nothing wrong with what the OP said. The problem is the parents!!!

Original poster
bookwormsforever · 31/12/2018 21:21

Drspouse - what wording would you suggest? I was perfectly polite.

If he and his wife hadn’t ignored their dc’s behaviour, I wouldn’t have had to say anything. Their fault.

OP posts:
GimmeGimmeHellYeah · 31/12/2018 21:22

How do you know the whole family and nearest bystanders didn't have special needs?

Kidding.

Original poster
bookwormsforever · 31/12/2018 21:23

Dementedma - that would drive me mad.

Made me laugh today, another parent trying to get their offspring to leave another interactive light and give someone else a turn - ‘if you come now, you can have some treats at home’ Confused

OP posts:
drspouse · 31/12/2018 21:23

They are parenting their children. Just not the way you'd choose.
It's confrontational in the way that telling someone to learn to drive is confrontational.
Mention that it seems unsafe. You wouldn't want anyone to get hurt now would you?

Original poster
bookwormsforever · 31/12/2018 21:25

knittedmouse -😂😂

OP posts:
Original poster
bookwormsforever · 31/12/2018 21:27

They weren’t parenting. They were ignoring.

I preferred to word things as I saw them. I wasn’t worried about the dc being hurt. I cared that the adults were being so selfish and lazy and unthinking.

OP posts:
Dolceandgabbana14 · 31/12/2018 21:28

Ooh I'd love to visit this but it finishes tomorrow. Can't find any info online, was there an extra charge for the light display? We're NT members.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 31/12/2018 21:29

They are parenting their children. Just not the way you'd choose
No. They are deliberately choosing to not patent and letting their children vandalise property. People should be called out on that.

drspouse · 31/12/2018 21:30

Some people think that letting children explore IS parenting them.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 31/12/2018 21:34

FFS there’s a difference between exploring and knowingly allowing your kids in area they aren’t meant to be in and letting them damage things.
Seriously. I hate this bullshit. Have some respect for other people and boundaries. Often they’re there for your own safety. Or let’s cut out the middleman and just let the kids “explore” the middle of a busy road.

GimmeGimmeHellYeah · 31/12/2018 21:34

What bollocks drspouse - encouraging children to break rules and damage property is not parenting.

Cocolepew · 31/12/2018 21:36

I was in M&S before Christmas and a woman had lifted her son onto the end of the checkout so he could "dance for all the ladies" Hmm (she said this , child was about 3).
He then proceeded to jump up and down screaming and yelling, at one point he fell onto the checkout woman.
All the time mum stood looking around smiling and left her shopping to pile up where he was prancing about.
I said "excuse me, that's not very hygenic or safe, you should lift him down".
She looked aghast and told me I was rude, I said "yes, so? " I think the combination of me and everyone else staring at her finally shamed her into lifting him down.
It was just ridiculous.
You were perfectly right to call him out.

drspouse · 31/12/2018 21:38

I didn't say it was.
I said that some people think it is.
So again it's like saying "eat a proper meal" when you don't think crisps and a sausage roll are, but the other person does.