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I finally did it. While sitting at my favorite coffee shop I endured an excruciating 25 minutes until I could bear it no more. I loudly told the mother of a 2-year-old to shut her child up. I have no regrets, but am interested in your opinion.

Every day I listen to young men and women gab on their cell phones about the most intimate matters, while I am sitting mere feet away. I once gently told one woman, about to initiate her fourth 15-minute conversation of the day, that I had been learning a good deal about her, her friends, and her thoughts about life and relationships. While I found it interesting, I wondered whether she really wanted to share all these things with a complete stranger.

Stunned into silence, she withdrew into private meditation.

Today I witnessed the drearily familiar scene of a parent, undoubtedly driven mad by the auditory excesses of her child, seeking solace over coffee with friends. Who would not sympathize? Well, I don't, not when she barely made an effort to quiet a kid who was running around and screaming.

It is wrong to take my time away from me because you are unable to discipline your child. Our society is losing touch with the concept of borders and the separation between public and private. Today I struck a small blow for a return to the notion of shared space that does not equate to the absolute surrender by all to the whims of a 2-year-old.

My feelings are no different being a grandmother...If your child can't behave in public situations..or if you have no input into how they behave...Leave them at home..or take them to McDonalds..

Any comments?

I agree that childern should be taught manners for how to act in a public place and to

respect the other people in that space. When my children would act out in the supermarket or resturant they knew it meant an immediate trip to the Ladies' Room..where they would be corrected.

I just noticed this one and I have to say Amen to this as well Blackhose

- I cant handle it

I have limited patience for parents that dont control their kids in public - or even at your house

I was at the shops the other day and I watched one child move every item from one section to another and what did the mother do -- keep shopping

I had a lady come here one day (she came with another friend who was leaving to go back interstate, she was staying at her house, so came to say goodbye) -- and this lady brought her 4yr old - that child was all over my house from room to room pulling everything out. I couldnt believe it.

At first I waited and then I said to her -- are you gonna control this kid of yours?

She said a couple of - oh dont do that -- and then she didnt say anything more

in the end I said -- did you bring your kid to trash my house?

my tone musta said more than I realised - but I didnt care

But, here is question for you, what do you do when your young child takes a tantrum in a store?

I had that happen with my ex boyfriends daughter - I picked her up - put her in the car and drove home - (5mins away) -- and I said to her -- I dont put up with that - you can stay home with your father!!!

and us 3 went back to the shop

What you suggest sounds like the most reasonable approach to an unreasonable response.

I was a bad mom...I used to smack my kids..But you know what? It worked..and it worked immediately.

I used to smack my kids too

-- but like I said in another post -- I wouldnt with my ex's kids -- or any one elses kids -- thats just my view

Sheros, I don't consider you a bad mom because you smacked your kids..I did mine when they acted up...thats why God gave them cheeky lil tooshies..and a flip flop or wooden yard stick applied with..love..can be a very instructive impliment..lol

As far as someones elses kids...time outs alone time..is about the only alternative you have..or to..I agree the solution Tushy came up with works as well..that way the child no that behavior is unacceptable..and she will deprived of going along if she can not behave.

"Spare the rod and spoil the child." Children have to learn what is appropriate and what is not. It is the duty of adults to teach them. I see nothing wrong with smacking a child on the butt when they do wrong, to teach a lesson.

thing is - working in childcare - you cant touch kids in anyway apart from your own

The parents will be right on you in a flash - not to mention - Health Services

Its different to what it used to be

One lady I worked with got in so much trouble for grabbing a kid by the arm - supposedly she told a co - worker that she had tapped the child on the bum .. and I have to tell you -- this kid was NAUGHTY!!

I do blame the child care centre in this situation coz they left her ALONE with this child and other kids

I dont think she is working in childcare anymore - she had to go for a few interviews before they said if she was allowed to work with children again or not

I agree Joe and tushy...we expect our childcare providers and teachers to take care of our children with no means of correcting them (setting guideline limitations and boundaries)..then we wonder why our kids act out and grow into hellions..it's like sending the army into battle with no rifles...and wondering why we lost the war.

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