Reply #125: So true [View All]

The issue here isn't whether we think children are satan-spawn who have no place outside the home until they have a job and can show that they won't vote republican and that all parents are inveterate selfish breeders with no regard for we self-righteous and properly indignant childless who have the whole truth for the world.

Some on this thread simply don't like kids. Some, perhaps, hate them. Who the hell cares? What harm does it do to anyone if someone hates your kid or all children in totality? Unless they hate so much they go a'murderin', or try to pass legislation denying rights to children, it's no one's business.

This is the issue on the board as I see it: If you have kids, it's YOUR responsiblity, to the rest of society, to make sure they know how to behave like human beings. THAT'S what raising a child is all about - turning them into decent adults. I also believe it takes a village - I think we should all pay for education for kids, and healthcare, etc.

But I - and some others of us here - don't want to listen to the screaming and whining and being poked and having mashed potatoes thrown at us paying for the pickle display your kid tipped over, and especially don't want to be FORCED to help raise the children of other people.

I love kids - I've been in youth ministry for years; I worked in a pre-school. I worked at summer camps for kids. I bloody love kids.

And much as I love to hear kids scream and be loud on the raft in the lake when they're having fun, or am happy to deal with a crying sad homesick camper, and love Harry Potter opening night becuase it's full of kids having a great time, I'm NOT willing to listen to kids scream and yell in a nice restaurant, at an adult-oriented movie, or any other place where children should not be expected.

It is the resposbility of the parent to make sure their kids know how to behave in public. Plain and simple, right there is the truth. It's the PARENT'S responsibility. And if you take the kid out, and they don't cut muster, TAKE THAT CHILD ELSEWHERE.