Children Are So Irritating

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

LIGHTHEADED KLAXON

Am I sure I want one? I mean it’s a bit late because I’m three months pregnant, not by accident or anything, I did do it on purpose. I am also a nanny.

But I’m sitting in the park while one of my charges plays football. I got a coffee, and went to the cottage-garden type bit where they have hanging bird feeders. I was enjoying the lovely spring day sounds.

Within minutes lots of parents and children (ok, six children) turned up, and the let the children loose. No pigeon is safe. They are brandishing sticks. They are lobbing bits of gravel. They are shrieking. They are blundering through low-lying shrubbery. They are pushing each other over and crying. The parents occasionally whine ‘Sophia, Jacob, stop it’ intermittently but in a way you might say ‘oh it’s raining’

There is a HUGE adventure playground in this park so I don’t know why the shrubs and gravel gardens are holding so much appeal.

I’ve been a nanny for ten years and I’ve never let any children terrorise pigeons. Just why? If mine shriek for no good reason they’re told sharply to stop it. They have a freer range in actual child-dedicated play areas, obviously. They aren’t allowed to brandish sticks in each other’s faces.

I know it’s not the children’s fault really but oh it’s irritating!

braces self for cries of ‘you don’t own the park you know!’ And ‘they’re just being children! They’ve been locked up for months!

Lighthearted not lightheaded 😂

Soooo irritating.

It's not the children that are irritating it's the adults who fail to parent.

Indeed, I know it’s the parents, (SOME parents, not all!!) but don’t they get irritated themselves?

100% agree. Can I add, parents who don't care when their little darlings pull branches off trees/pull up flowers in public spaces as though it doesn't matter because "they don't belong to anyone"

They are generally cute and adorable as babies. Then they all develop PITA syndrome (Pain In The Arse). Unfortunately this syndrome lasts for many many many years.

Yes!!!! I saw children holding loads of daffs, strolling along with their parents. How can those parents be so thick as to not think ‘oh they look nice. But if I pick them, no one else gets to enjoy them’

A bunch of daffs is A POUND!!!

Agreed- from a mum who doesn’t really like kids (except for my own. Mostly.)

My own children irritate me daily, I work with them and they also irritate me daily, and if I see kids out and about misbehaving, they also irritate me. Kids are just generally irritating.

Oh fucking hell parents who let their kids pick flowers are the worst! I hate that so much. SO MUCH. YANBU.

I’ve never liked kids.

I have my own and he’s great.

I’m a teacher (secondary though) and once they get past about 15, I start to like them a lot more (but still not loads). I think not liking kids makes me a better teacher and person. And the kids find it highly amusing.

I'd much rather have a kitten.

Best analogy I ever heard was kids are like farts other people's are always revolting

Yep.Kids are twats (sorry ds!)

I hate the flower picking thing! I almost can't think about it as it gives me such rage. I see adults with and without children doing it and have decided there is no hope for a society where this is normal, which it is.
So glad at least your child will be taught better, almost restores my faith.

Yep other kids are a pain other dogs can be a pain other humans can be a pain

I come to the conclusion that all other beings are annoying and I'm am perfect 🤩

Other people’s children are shit. I nearly didn’t have any because of this!
My DD is the best thing since sliced bread. All other children are still irritating.

@SmidgenofaPigeon

Yes!!!! I saw children holding loads of daffs, strolling along with their parents. How can those parents be so thick as to not think ‘oh they look nice. But if I pick them, no one else gets to enjoy them’

A bunch of daffs is A POUND!!!

I agree. I think it’s important to advertise here that: if this is you, yes, other parents are looking at you and judging you. And probably judging your kids too. Because picking daffodils is a shit thing to do.

Also, ffs, why would you stand your kids on the packing shelves at Aldi? Or stand them in a trolley where another person’s going to put their food, not realising your kids dirty shoes have been trampling all over it?! Gross bar stewards.

@whenwillthemadnessend

Yep other kids are a pain other dogs can be a pain other humans can be a pain

I come to the conclusion that all other beings are annoying and I'm am perfect 🤩

Me too!

They're playing and exploring, you know... At the moment there's so little for children to do, if they can't even run around a park freely you'd never stop having to tell them off I'm just glad when I see my child have at least some moments of free roaming and fun in a day.

YANBU.

My toddler does not get to terrorise animals, break the belongings of other people or rip up flowers that have been planted for public enjoyment.

Weirdly, we still manage to have fun.

The number of indulgent mums on this website who seem gobsmacked their children turn into rude, entitled teens and incompetent young adults amazes me.

I very rarely judge other parents, but one of my exceptions is when a child is screaming - proper toe-curling, blood curdling screams - in a park (not a play park, but a country park for instance) and the parents do absolutely nothing about it. I’m sure they’re worn down by the battle, but it’s monumentally selfish to allow your children to ruin the atmosphere for everyone because you don’t have the energy or inclination to parent them.

When we go on days out I am constantly irritated by other people's kids, even though my own is a huge pain

Like the parents who let their kids run riot on restaurants! Yes, kids make noise and sometimes do what they are not supposed to, but as parents you are supposed to set limits and tell them what they are not supposed to do. It is people like that of the gravel throwing children who give parents a bad name!