to have been irritated by this (trivial)

[Labradorwhisperer]

Ok, this is a bit trivial but would you have been irritated by this? I feel a bit awkward, and I want to know if you agree (happy to accept if I am being unreasonable).

Disclaimer - I said nothing, I did nothing, I am not suggesting anyone is a bad parent, and I fully accept even excellent parent occasionally do odd things.

Right. DP and I were walking back to our car after a hike and passed a family of 4 (two young children) having a picnic in their car. One of the children was obviously a bit excitable and I heard the father telling him to calm down. We got to our car, and I walked to the far side of it to get something from that side, before walking back round to the passenger side (hope that makes sense).

The boy obviously hasn't calmed down and at that point heard one of the parents say to him "look, people are coming out of their cars to look at you, so you need to calm down". Meaning me.

That wasn't what I was doing, I am sure she knew that because we didn't even make eye contact. I expect it was a technique to get him to settle, but it seemed a bit of a mean one and made me feel a bit like the bad guy. I probably should get over myself but I am a bit curious as to how many people would do this. Felt sorry for the boy.

Hmm. I kind of see what you mean. I remember being in a crappy pizza restaurant a few years ago and there was a child kicking off at a table near me. I glanced over, as many others were doing. I wasn't being judgemental as I had kids of my own and was just thinking "there but for the grace of God, blahdy blah" when the Mother bawls at the kid and says
"You've made that lady (me) very angry and you've spoiled her meal! She's going to get the Man (who the fuck "the Man" was I'll never know) to come and tell us to leave now!!!!"

She then hauled herself and the kid off to the toilets and I was really annoyed at being dragged into something that had absolutely nothing to do with me.

Oh I've said this sort of thing all the time. I have told them that security guards on their Walkie talkies were calling the police on them and all sorts. I have had the odd word with a shop assistant along the lines of, 'can you just give my dd1 a stern look and look like you're writing something down?' It's no big deal and often works.

I thought you were going to say they smacked his head of the window or something. So yes, I think yabu because I have done this many times.

Well it's not the best parenting technique but we all say things from time to time without thinking. Can't understand wht you're bothered really. So YABU.

Thanks! Basically, I really didn't know how to take it so if its something people do and it's really no biggie, I will relax and get back to my bank holiday.

As you were, Mumsnet Jury :)

Thanks for understanding Cushtie. You explained it better than I could!

You're very welcome Lab :)

I've employed this lame arsed technique many a time. It's not exactly A* parenting, but it works.

Don't take it personally, OP.

(who the fuck "the Man" was I'll never know)
Fabulous, I've heard parents invoking "the Man" , and occasionally "the Lady", before too. This made me chuckle...