To give you the basics of what happened she was at The Royal Academy of Arts in London with a friend of hers to view an exhibit by one of her favorite artists Anish Kapoor. Unfortunately her experience was ruined by the presences of imbecilic parents who brought their young children along. From what I can gather, the children were running amongst the sculptures, being loud and one of the parents had the audacity to give one of the children a snack right there at the exhibit (ya know, where priceless pieces of art were on display).
In this day and age of hyper-parenting, parenting has become less about the child and more of a competition between parents. Over-scheduling children and taking them to places they will not enjoy, much less remember, has become increasingly prevalent. Children are no longer found just enjoying themselves at a playground, instead they are being dragged from one "enriching" activity to another.
A three year old at an art exhibit? Is that really enriching? Really? Will they ever remember it? Nope, probably not. Now, I am all for enrichment, but age appropriate enrichment. Taking a child to a dinosaur exhibit at the local natural history/science museum or going to see Sesame Street Live, is much more pleasurable to a child than going to a place or event intended for adults. Nice dinners at expensive restaurants should be for adults, I don't care how "well behaved" your child is. Spills, unintentional loud talking, and squeals tend to come out of children during meal times, even in fancy restaurants. Kids don't care about the ambiance*.
Sometimes I think the kids aren't even really part of the equation. I think parents just feel that they aught to be able to do something "fun" for once. Is it really fun though when you have to remember to bring along a stroller, diaper bag, snacks, and the sippy cup? Don't forget you have to remind junior to mind their manners every three seconds. Is that really fun? No, it isn't fun. It isn't relaxing. It is a chore. Plus you are disturbing those around you who chose to leave their kids at home, or those who don't have children. Is that fair to them? They paid the price of admission as well. Maybe they would like to enjoy their afternoon or evening out as well. If parents want to do something "fun", a babysitter should be hired for the event. Or maybe sometimes parents of small children just need to get their heads out of the butts, take one for the team, and just stay home.
*Believe me when someone pays over 100 £/$ for a meal for two, they DO care about the ambiance and they weren't counting on your little "angel" being there.
marriedparentdad 99p · 802 weeks ago
Hope · 802 weeks ago
Jenny · 802 weeks ago
Michelloui · 802 weeks ago
SueAnn · 802 weeks ago
Thanks
Hugs
SueAnn
Vic · 802 weeks ago
I'd never take the boy (who's five) to an art exhibition because I know he'd be bored in three minutes and start kicking off. There's plenty of time for that stuf when he's older and will behave.
Amanda · 802 weeks ago
Because western society has constructed this notion of people of similar ages belonging together in certain types of actitivies, we find it inconvenient to find other age groups at certain types of ideas. However, with the right kind of tour of an art gallery there is no reason that can't be age-apppropriate and fun - though paying attention to the lenght of time is key. In Korea, students of quite young ages know a lot about classical music and art and authentically enjoy it.
Amanda · 802 weeks ago
Badass Geek 40p · 802 weeks ago
Mary Anne · 802 weeks ago
I have been heard to utter the phrase "I don't like other people's children" in situations like that. While I do somewhat agree with Amanda, that children need to learn these skills, if they are not held to the standards at home, or at McDonald's or at more kid appropriate venues then trying to teach them how to act at an art museum isn't going to fly. While the standard at McDonald's is different than the standard at Chez Whatever, they still shouldn't be running around McDonald's bothering everyone else. I, sadly, have relatives that don't parent their children, and it makes me crazy to have to tell them over and over AND OVER "that isn't something that is allowed in this house." Kids are smart, and if parents give them the tools, they can deal with and adapt to a lot of different situations, but someone needs to give them the tools.
I always think it is funny how some parents think it is "easier" just to let them run amok when they're little and not discipline or give them limits. How's that working out for them when the kids are teenagers?
otin · 802 weeks ago
Heather · 802 weeks ago
Satakieli 51p · 802 weeks ago
Maureen@IslandRoar · 802 weeks ago
I do this, of course, to give me more patience, because I don't think there's too many good excuses for allowing your kids to be running about in a place like that. So I get what you mean. I also completely agree about not overscheduling kids, letting them just be kids while they can.
Jane Gasgton · 802 weeks ago
Jane Gaston · 802 weeks ago
Michele · 802 weeks ago
Blogging Mama Andrea · 802 weeks ago
I love parents like the ones you mention. You have to wonder what kind of stuff their kids are going to get up to when they are older.
Tracie · 802 weeks ago
Of course, my kid is the 6 year old who rolls her eyes at misbehaving toddlers in a store and whispers to me "Mommy, that is not how to act in a store. Why doesn't her mom make her stop that?"
Jamie · 802 weeks ago
Aunt Juicebox · 802 weeks ago
Brittany · 802 weeks ago
NFAH · 802 weeks ago
As for Amanda's comment, there's still an age-appropriateness aspect to consider. A 3 year old that has to be pacified with biscuits is different than an 8 year old that can be told to behave. A pram with a baby in it forms an obstacle that can make it hard for other adults to maneuver through a tight space (which some of the Kapoor exhibit is).
Joanie M · 802 weeks ago
lola · 802 weeks ago
Our son behaves incredibly well under such circumstances, but why would I want to take him to anyway? Adult-only time is much needed for all of us.