To wish we could show all the curmudgeons what it's like when we "don't control our kids"?

[toomuchtooold]

I was reading this article in the Guardian about travelling on public transport with a baby and as usual there were a ton of comments complaining about parents who can't control their children.

Now. I have 3 year old twins and sadly have not managed to find the key to making them sit nice and quiet on the bus. They respond, unpredictably, to threats, bribery, having lunch, singing "a big red bus" over and over and over and taking it in turns to cry while the other one gets to play with my mobile phone. So you know, although I can't control them as such, I do try very hard to influence them, and I don't think my efforts and those of my fellow parents are fully appreciated by those who complain about children on the Guardian's comments pages. So it got me thinking... what would it be like if we stopped making an effort? Imagine if one day we all just got on public transport as usual but this time made no effort to manage our children's behaviour... just get our phones out and start checking Facebook while the kids yell their heads off/throw biscuits on the floor/climb all over the seats... we could organise! It would be like a parents' work to rule!

Anyone with me?

I heard an old couple on the bus moan the whole 20 minute bus journey about a toddler singing pointing out cars and swinging her legs apparently their David would never hqve behaved like that i kept thinking poor bloody David having to listen to them harp on and on you cant make kids sit quietly as long as they are not climbing over bus seats and poking passengers then i dont care

Moany fuds

I had to literally scream at DS this afternoon because as I locked the car door, he ran into the middle of the heaving Sainsbury's car park.
An older couple who obviously couldn't see what had happened started tutting and saying you shouldn't speak to a child like that. I'm already feeling terrible about myself and now I feel like I saved my boys bones from being broken, the wrong way.
I wish people would think before they speak and maybe find out what actually happened and then, if they still feel the need to be judgemental, do it quietly away from me

It is written by someone who was judgemental about babies on trains. She is projecting he views into others! I've never had any issues because I assume people are understanding. I have only ever met with kindness and concern. I suppose this kind of thing sells articles though. Perhaps why I read newspapers less nowadays!

charis

I think OP sounds like she actually doing OK

Thanks magic! I know tongue-in-cheek humour usually falls on its arse on the internet but I thought this time it was obvious enough...

No, teach your children to behave. Hopefully it's not too late. I get you'll complain quick enough when there are 30+ children who don't sit and listen in class