Have I forgotten what it's like? (Younger child)

[princesspadam]

Currently away with friends and their only child

They are 10 but IMHO act about 5

Eating with mouth open
Phone / iPad at the table for every meal
I want this / I want that
Not saying please or thank you to waiting staff
Muuuuuum or daaaaad

I'm finding it very trying
Ours are all teens now but they have some manners
I'm sure they weren't like that at 10
Am I just a crinkly old perimenopausal sourpuss?

I have never tolerated chewing with an open mouth. Or rudeness to waiting staff.

The muuuuuum daaaaaaad thing may have still been happening at 10, though.

Typical babied only child by the sound of it.

I've banned my grandkids from having screens at my house, they can be glued to them however much they want at home but they're not here. If they can't have a conversation with me, I won't bother.

Wow no that doesn’t sound like a 10 year old at all. I know many as have a 9year old boy myself.

No that’s not normal for 10. Odd.

My six year old only child doesn't get away with behaving like that. It's poor parenting, not lack of siblings.

My DS is an only and is 5 and wouldn't behave like that.

Yes I also think poor parenting
DP thinks I'm being harsh

A few times when people have put his dinner down I've said 'what do you say' as parents seem oblivious

I was just about to say my 5 year does sometimes do some of those things..(the muuum and daaad and the I want this - we do obviously correct this behaviour but they are still learning!) but then realised you meant the child was actually 10 and not 5! The mouth open thing 🤢 you’re not wrong - all those things are not normal behaviour for a ten year old!

I've got a 9 and 11 year old and neither of them would behave like that, the older one can be grumpy at home but at a restaurant or with my friends would be very well behaved and polite.

No, not normal. I wouldn't tolerate any of that. Certainly not the chewing with mouths open or screens at the table/poor manners. Mine are 5 and 8 and they both know better.

My 5 year old is starting to use manners now without being prompted, it's taken us a while to keep reminding him to say please and thank you, but its starting to sink in, I'm guessing his/her parents haven't encouraged manners. Same goes for eating with mouth shut and constant interrupting, i don't think that's normal, and again possible the parents haven't addressed it whilst they were young.

Nothing to do with being an only child, it's poor parenting.

Nope definitely not normal. I have a 10 year old and he's nothing like you describe.

Well thank goodness for that!

I thought it was me like 'mine were never like that'

At least I'm not mid-remembering

*mis

I cannot ABIDE poor manners.
My nephew's don't say please or thank you and it horrifies. My eldest is very well behaved and said please/thank you from age 3.

Younger DC (now 7) is very difficult but is learning you get what you want by being polite.
I'd be really struggling in your situation!

I've got a friend whose daughter behaves like this. She's 11 now and still a nightmare; I remember watching her kick and scream at her parents at age 5+. Her manners are awful and I can't even count how many days out or celebrations she's ruined - and it's my friend's fault as far as I'm concerned. Lets her get away with poor table manners, doesn't follow through with consequences when she's been naughty.

It's ruined our friendship tbh, I never see her anymore because she insists on bringing the child (and she's not ND before anyone suggests it. She's just spoiled rotten.). I've stepped in multiple times when there have been tantrums and she's caused issues with my DC, but friend doesn't appreciate it. 🙄

Idk all kids I think can be badly behaved at times but it's wearing to spend time with people that aren't at least trying to deal with or acknowledge it.

The iPad wouldn't bother me as long as it wasn't on loud.