Today Lucas and I spent another fun afternoon at Kidsville, also known as, my new favorite place for kids on the planet and I encountered something that I wasn’t expecting and still not sure how to handle in the future: rude children and parents that do nothing about it.
Kidsville is somewhat of a free for all in that children of all ages, I would say up to 6 can run around and play with all of the toys available. The older the child, the less supervision needed, so you’ll find moms and dads parked on sofas that border the facility tapping away on their smart phones. Or, you’ll find moms like me chasing after their tots ‘just in case’, but in all honesty there isn’t much Lucas could hurt himself with or on.
Or, so I thought, until today…
This one particular little girl, maybe a year older than Lucas followed us around for a while and whatever he had, she wanted and made it perfectly known by snatching it from him and knocking him down almost every time. I was right there, so luckily no one got hurt, but it definitely confused Lucas.
I was careful not to lose my cool and said things like: “that’s not very nice”, “okay, if she wants to play with it, let’s move on to something else” and “we need to share, Lucas, let’s give her a turn” all the while nonchalantly looking around for this child’s parents who never made themselves known.
Eventually, the little girl moved on to something else, however, I’m still puzzled. We have been working on the sharing concept with Lucas for a while now, which I know is a bound to be difficult to understand for young minds. Where were the girl’s parents and for future reference, what do you do when a parent doesn’t do anything about their child’s rude behavior beyond removing him from the situation? Should I have said something to management or sought the parents out and brought it to their attention?
Related Posts:
I hate that when that happens at the playground, or at the park. It puts you in a weird position. You are not the one who should teach that kid how to behave. Unfortunately there are parents out there who don't really care, or pay attention. It's sad but that's just the way it is. I think you did the right thing! Hopefully next time will be a 100% great time for you 2 again! 🙂
I have not hesitated to parent another person's kid. I've called out several kids at fast food play areas before. Sometimes the other parents get involved, most of the time not.
I think you did the right thing. The first time, I probably would've let it go & moved on. The 2nd time the kid took whatever my son was playing? I would've taken it back & tell it isn't her turn yet.
Ugh, I don't like when I am put into that position, at this point I've just picked up the boys and moved on. I don't want to parent someone else's child for free of getting into a confortation with that parent, but as I remove the kids from the situation I talk to them about why we are moving, and what the other kid was doing wrong.
With all of that said, if my kids aren't acting right, I would want another parent to either tell me, or tell my kids to stop what they are doing.
We have a place somewhat like this near us (it is mostly for younger kids) and I can't believe the parents! The drop their kids off in the play area, turn their backs on them and ignore them for an hour–leaving complete strangers, who are trying to watch their own kids, to parent them. It drives me insane!
Oh, this is one of my hugest pet peeves! I have encountered my fair share of rude/aggressive children and nary a parent to be found. Once an older child pushed my toddler (who was just barely learning to walk) up against the wall b/c he wanted the toy my son had. I looked around in shock, waiting for the Mom to profusely apologize but she was nowhere to be found. So I sternly said "No pushing, that's not nice" and left. I've had to intervene several times especially where safety is concerned and now, I'm not afraid to speak up! They need to know it's not acceptable….sorry, but true!
When I have ran into a monster like that, I try to be nice at first…but if the parent doesn't make him/herself known, I have gotten a little more firm. I haven't had it go that far, but wouldn't have hesitated to talk to a manager if the kid wouldn't stop!
i always try to let the kids work it out a time or two first or redirect my own kid, like you did. If it happens more than 2 or 3x, then I announce to both kids in a LOUD voice that everyone needs to share to get parental attention. If that doesn't work, then I go over to the parent.
There are some parents that are just clueless in life and don't care about teaching their kid show to behave in public. it'll happen over and over and over again. Incredible!
If it kept up, I probably would have said, "Well Lucas had that first, but he'll give it to you when we're done." type of thing. But I think it took a few years of mommyhood under my belt to get to that point. I don't know that I would have said anything if Kate was Lucas' age and that happened.
It's like you are entering a whole new world, now isn't it?! This is one of my peeves for sure, and it happens all.over.the.place. I usually give it a bit to see if they can work it out, but then I do say something to both of them, trying not to single out the other kid. But, I have had to get very firm with a few over the years and you know what? They are usually so shocked that an adult isn't letting them do whatever THEY want to do that they stop!
Get ready for the glares, though, since lots of parents prefer to let their kids run crazy and not supervise them…and that's hard when yours is the younger one.
Ugh… nobody messes with my piggy! Grrrr!! That mom really needed to watch her daughter!! Geesh!