To wonder how the Cambridge children are so beautifully behaved?

[surreysarah]

They sat through the Christmas carol concert so perfectly, and are just so incredibly well behaved when on public outings. They seem delightful and are always so well turned out. As a mum myself, I can’t help wondering - what is Kate and William’s secret? Kudos to the both of them, because they always seem to keep the children in check, but they do it in such a lovely and understated way. They are clearly both naturals with children, because there is no way my unruly brood would be that well behaved at a carol concert. Parenting goals and then some!

@CuteOrangeElephant

Thank you for that clarification- as someone with less luck (and possibly worse parenting skills but who knows?) it’s really appreciated!

@BonjourCrisette i think you can mute this thread? I don’t think you can insist people only discuss topics you’re interested in on AIBU.

I thought Charlotte looked really nervous about the cameras/crowds going to church the other day. I think she’s far more aware of the whole press thing than the other two ever have been.

I mean I guess you could make an argument that AIBU should be for am I being unreasonable queries. Which this isn’t. It’s just more royal family fawning and drooling which really should be confined to the section specially made to coo and kowtow over these unremarkable people.

Fawning that a child of 9 can behave normally for a short time is just silly.

@TheMoth oh I remember the boredom! Standing there trying not to look bored

Mine would have behaved the same at that age, they could sit through a shortish meal out in a cafe at 2/3 and a 2 hour concert at 4/5.

I set the bar with a brief explanation of expectations of behaviour before going in, and consequences of misbehaving. And always followed through.

I am more amazed at why people put up with the sometimes appalling behaviour of their children than the other way around!

I have to say it must be tough with cameras following every move though, good for them.

We’re being fed a big lie. They grow up with nannies and other professionals who teach them how to perform in public and Mummy and Daddy only come in for short periods of the day. They know if they want to keep the people they love (their nannies) they have to be good. It’s a horrible way to live.

RunLolaRun102 · Today 00:33

We’re being fed a big lie. They grow up with nannies and other professionals who teach them how to perform in public and Mummy and Daddy only come in for short periods of the day. They know if they want to keep the people they love (their nannies) they have to be good. It’s a horrible way to live.

And you would know this ..how?

Most kids can sit through a school assembly with no bother.

See I hate this aspect of the royals. The poor kids are trained. For all the campaigning about telling kids it’s ok to just say goodbye and not hug people if they don’t want to, these kids are told they have to shake hands and hug strangers reaching out and grabbing for them, just wrong.
also sitting in 30’ heat in Wimbledon complaining about feeling hot and being told to sit and smile. I can see why Harry left!

I really don't think it is all that remarkable.

George and Charlotte are 9 and 7. Surely most children that age are perfectly capable of sitting through relatively lengthy ceremonies without fuss. When DD was that age her class were preparing for First Communion so there were lots of occasions where they were expected to sit through Mass, even do readings. Outside of the religious context most children that age should really be capable of sitting quietly for a period of time without causing a fuss.

Admittedly Louis at 4 is a bigger risk. But given the training he must have had I don't find it so strange.

@Kanaloa arguing a 5yr old is currently asleep in a double bed whilst her uncle is asleep on the sofa, whilst his wife and baby are in a tiny, single bedroom after an 11hr drive isn’t really up for discussion either. But seems it is on the same board.

My kid has other problems, like pretty bad social anxiety. Focussing on a stage for three hours - fine. Grandma in the queue tries to engage with her - hides behind my skirts and shuts down.

She was also the world's worst sleeper, I hated it when other parents would smugly say it was just their <insert sleep training techniques> when a lot of that is also just luck.

As a mum myself, I can’t help wondering - what is Kate and William’s secret

Pah! You're not serious?

Unlimited money.
Made up jobs where you smile, nod and not much else required - minimal stress.
Cushy private schools for the dc.
An army of nannies, night nurses and household staff to take care of all the less desirable bits of life for you. Being well turned out is kind of a given when you have your laundry and clothes professionally taken care of!

I'm pretty sure most parents would be able to keep their Mary Poppins air firmly in place for the odd occasion you trot the dc out for public viewing, when the rest of your life is so carefree.

You do realise they have a nanny?

parenting goals my arse.

Hey Maaaaygan!

I think modern parents let their children get away with far too much. My generation could (for example) sit through a concert or a wedding or behave in a museum. Quite simply, we were told to do so.

Nowadays, there seems to be more "understanding" and fewer firm boundaries.

The fact that the elder two Cambridge children's behaviour is held to be remarkable explains a lot about the general behaviour you can observe from children generally.

They’re what, 8ish and 10ish? Perfectly capable of understanding that some occasions require different behaviour (ND aside obvs)

No wonder some children are entitled horrors when parents don’t expect them to behave appropriately for the environment at that age.

I do genuinely believe children suffer from low expectations. George is 9! At that age you should be able to expect a neurotypical child to behave for an hour without bribery.

Because my contempories at work also operate that way. Both parents work full time 24-7 global jobs, kids raised by nannies, and parents will progress review the nannies based on kids behaviour / grades. They also have nannies for different things. All nannies and employed as such but some will work like a governess / tutor, while others will be a performance / communication coach, still others may focus on physical activities.

Most schools assemblies don’t last for that length of time and are geared towards children.

Some children have always been ‘horrors’ and some have always been compliant. I apologised for my toddler roaming around church and was reassured about it - the vicar actually said that what they didn’t want was for children to connect church with having to sit still and being bored. (Obviously I wouldn’t let a nine year old roam around …)

They're probably pretty good at judging what their kids are capable of, and you'll only see the kids out in public if their parents are fairly confident it's a good day for it.

I'm sure there's been hundreds of occasions where they've said 'nope, s/he has been a monster all morning, s/he can stay home with the nanny!'

Hear, hear! And pass us the sick bucket while you're at it 🙃

I expect they promise them a Mcdonald’s for tea in the way home-maybe a KFC if they behave.

I don’t think it’s anything unusual.