Why does being with other people's children make me so unbearably anxious?

[SandyThumb]

Have had to go to a couple of events recently where there were lots of 8-10 year old kids and their parents, and I'm aware that it's slightly freaked me out, to the point where I feel I'm about to have an anxiety attack.... heartbeat racing, sweating, feeling slightly sick, and just wanting to run away

I just seem to find so many of the DCs classmates rude, loud, unruly, and generally badly behaved.
It's when they start doing things I wouldn't allow my DSs to do (basically destructive, boisterous behaviour - especially in public places) I begin to feel panicky, and as if things are heading out of control, and I just can't understand why other parents aren't doing anything about it?

Is it just me, or does anyone else ever feel like this?

If it's all the other 8 - 10 year olds you know doing the same thing then maybe, just maybe, you should reconsider what children are allowed to do in your view?

I would say that doesn't sound quite right and it might be worth going to your gp?
I think it's one thing to get cross with children who are really misbehaving, but getting panicky is a sign that it could be something that needs a bit of help. (Also, for your dss' sake - to find out what's more normal maybe?)

No - it's not ALL the 8-10 year olds I know, and in fact the DSs close friends are mostly like them, but it's lots of the others.

I can't decide if I'm uber-strict, or other parents are uber-lax.
But I can't abide loud, anti-social behaviour in places like restaurants, theatres, cinemas, trains etc...

Just seems like some parents don't care/ don't have the inclination or backbone to discipline their children.

I'm all for kids burning off steam/ having fun, so long as it doesn't negatively impact other people, but I think there's a fine line between high spirits and anti-social behaviour?

Forgot to say, I think it's the fact that I feel things are 'out of control' that makes me feel anxious, and the fact that other parents seem quite happy to sit back, unconcerned?

public enclosed spaces you're right

but the anxiety is concerning and I agree with previous poster you should possibly consider talking to someone about that level of panic over rowdy, undisciplined kids

my 4 sit quietly in restaurants, on trains, in cinemas and theatres (where absolutely no food is allowed during performances)