‘Guestzilla’ Walks Out After Being Confronted For Trying To Police Homeowner’s Son
How to raise a child, what is right and wrong, what you can do, what you cannot do, and many other topics are extremely popular in everyday parenting life. So many blog articles, vlogs, different viewpoints, and debates, yet many parents still tend to become angry when told that they are acting inappropriately. Of course, everyone has a different parenting approach, and every parent is aware of what is best for their children. And if you want to avoid conflict – keep your mouth shut about somebody’s parenting style.
More info: Reddit
It is annoying when guests start to act like they own the place and know what’s best
Image credits: Nicole Michalou (not the actual image)
Woman asks community is she wrong for being rude to her sister’s friend after she argued with her son and forbade him from entering the kitchen
Image credits: Nataliya Vaitkevich (not the actual image)
The author’s sister complained that she liked that woman and that the OP was wrong for speaking to her that way
Image credits: u/YouDontKnowMyKid
The group of friends split into two camps: one thought the woman was right to be rude while the other thought she was being way over the top
Reddit user “YouDontKnowMyKid” recently posted her story asking the community if she was wrong for “chasing off” her sister’s friend after she instructed the woman’s son that he needed permission to use his own kitchen. The post caught a lot of attention and went viral as in just 4 days, it got more than 16K upvotes and 3K comments.
The author starts the story with the introduction that the day before, after work, her sister, cousin and couple of friends came over to her place. Additionally, the sister invited one friend of hers, who the author has seen a few times before, however, never had an issue. Well, spoiler alert: that was about to change.
The main action of the story happened after the OP came back from the bathroom and saw her son and sister’s friend arguing in the kitchen. Turns out, she stopped the boy from going to the kitchen and instructed him to wait for his mum’s permission. “Who the [heck] are you?” asked the author. She couldn’t figure out when random people started telling the residents of the house they were visiting where they could go and what they needed permission for. The heated conversation led to the friend explaining that she is a teacher and knows that kids tend to get around the rules. Okay, not sure how that is relevant, but who gave her the permission to go to the kitchen?
Long story (not so) short, the sister’s friend left because she no longer felt welcome. Two groups of friends were then established; one group agreed with the author that the behavior of following the young kid into the kitchen just to stop him from entering was very weird, while the other group believed that it was perfectly normal, and it was unnecessary for OP to be rude.
Image credits: Houzlook.com (not the actual image)
She received a Not The A-Hole badge from the crowd, and the comments all agreed that the sister’s friend crossed the line. “There are few things that will make me flip out on someone but messing with my kids is tops on the list,” one user wrote. Most of the commenters praised the author for acting the right way and pointed out that it was not the friend’s duty to scold the child. Later, in the comment section, OP added that the woman’s attempt to parent her child pissed her off the most: “ if you want to parent a kid, have one.”
For context, according to Dr. Patrick Capriola, parents have a special understanding of their child’s needs, tendencies, and desires based on their instincts and experiences with them that cannot be duplicated by anyone else. Although no one is ever entirely correct, parents are in the best position to provide their children with the most encouragement and positive role models.
Now, the best method to advise others on how to raise their children is never to offer advice, but if you still want to come out as an expert, it would be wise to be familiar with these points made byHeather Reese: only offer advice when it is requested. There is a narrow line between appearing like you are offering anecdotal advice and accusing someone of being a bad parent, so carefully choose your tone. And, if you don’t have kids – shut up.
Image credits: Elina Fairytale (not the actual image)
Bored Panda reached out to Nicole Schwarz, who is a parent coach, licensed therapist and author, to get a more in-depth take on raising children and allowing friends and family to participate in it.
“You have an amazing opportunity to encourage, teach, and build a relationship with the child. Use your presence to help the child feel seen and known. Rather than focusing only on discipline, be a great listener. Show interest in the things the child is interested in. Support their growth and development by reading together, doing activities, or exploring the community. Be a role model for the child to follow as they grow and mature,” Schwarz emphasized.
Speaking about others’ involvement in raising your baby, the author stated that “there are pros and cons to involving friends and family members in the bringing up the baby process. Some parents appreciate the care and concern of others, they rely on the physical and emotional support of friends and family to give their baby the love and energy they deserve. On the other hand, some parents may feel confined and burdened by outside support. They may prefer to set boundaries around when help is needed, and what type of support would be welcome.”
Now, regarding how you should act if you want to parent your friend’s baby, the best way to do it is to follow parents’ lead: “you may ask, ‘How would you like me to step in when the child is doing (fill in the blank with a behavior or situation)?’ or ‘What would be the most help to you right now?’” So to decide and forbid the kid from doing something, as the woman in the story did, is not an option.
Be sure to check out Schwarz’s website as well as her book It Starts With You, her “shame-free guide” to parenting children with confidence.
So, guys, what do you think about this story? Have you ever been in a situation with a know-it-all parent and how did you deal?
Folks in the comment sections discussed the situation and defended the author
She's what 30-40??? how the hell did she get a teaching degree??? also the son was old enough to do s**t himself my god the nerve of that woman! the poor kids she teaches!
And your comment got a downvote too. No idea why... fixed ;)
Load More Replies...My mom's a retired teacher and she has been a guest in multiple people's homes and she doesn't start telling their children what to do. She understands that that is not her place. This woman had no right to go into OPs house and tell OPs son what to do. It is especially odd that she followed him into the kitchen. If she is a teacher, she doesn't need to be one because she obviously doesn't know how to behave in normal situations. The boy was going into HIS kitchen in HIS house. He didn't need permission from her or anyone else. Was OPs tone harsh? Maybe, but she was defending her child from an overstepping stranger in his own home.
No idea why someone downvoted your perfectly good, and well made point. Let me fix that right now.... there you go...
Load More Replies...I would be seriously pissed if someone told me son he can’t go into a room in his own home. He can go into which ever room he wants. He lives here.
In his damn underwear if he chooses.. ok, well maybe if he wasn't aware of company. I have 6 sons, it's boxer city here.
Load More Replies...This woman's go to position on children is that they have zero rights to access food and water or beverages without the express permission of an adult. Let that sink in.
Yeah and that must be a real draconian viewpoint on that issue to try and even enforce that on a complete strangers kid. The fact she's a Teacher should not have excused her behaviour, it should have been the opposite. 'Hell nah, you are a Teacher and you are teaching in someone's home, off the clock? Whaaat?'
Load More Replies...The absolute nerve of some people.!! Wow.! If it had been me, got your s#@& ,and get out of my house ! Never come back until you learn some manners, how to behave in someone else's home. The sister can kiss it. The friend was totally disrespectful.
EXACTLY.the sister is the AH, AH of the year.
Load More Replies...Honestly, who gave this STRANGER permission to speak to a 10 year old? That in it's self, is enough for to have tossed her bag, and her a*s out of my house! What mental place is a person like in, that she toads a small boy, into a private place, away from his Aunt? Although, maybe I am Karen-ing here, but I have 6 children so, I actually have an opinion. I feel maybe, a conversation with this stalking teachers' employer? Maybe she is struggling with past childhood trauma, or infertility? No idea, but something is off. But the sister/Aunt is the true AH in this story. She should have your back in all aspects of your child safety and growth. I'm not sure why so many red flags went up when I read this, but I feel uncomfortable.
Sorry, I guess I read this on my son's phone..I'm a Mom..lmao
Load More Replies..."Kids try to get around the rules". Lol, it's her first time in that house, what could she possibly know about their rules? I could understand if it was a very small child and she was concerned they could accidentally hurt themselves somehow, but 10 year old children are normally perfectly capable of putting food on their plates without assistance.
I'm hesitant to reprimand my nephew when his parents aren't around even though I have permission in certain cases to do so. Like he can get too rough (he's 5) and if he accidentally hurts me or almost breaks something it's reasonable for me to tell him something like to stop and he needs to calm down while using a stern tone(acceptable tone by both parents); i really feel wierd about it but it must be done when safety is a concern. But to reprimand a complete strangers kid like that is ridiculous especially when a family member is literally right next to you. That's some brass balls thinking it's ok
I have a bias against teachers for this reason. The ones who aren't suited for the job act like this. They think they have the right to control children (and in my experience, they want to control anyone they feel they have authority over, whether it is because of age or social status or economic status) no matter the situation just because they have that authority during the school day. I have had so, so many teachers talk down to me for basically no reason. It is disgusting.
Quite honestly, being the blunt-*ss that I am, if anyone tried policing what my kids can or cannot do in their own house, it's GTFO for them. Unless they are thrashing the place or causing a major disturbance, they can very well grab a snack from the fridge, watch Netflix, play games etc as and when it is reasonable. Smh!!!
Gods’ sake! I kicked someone out of my place for yelling at my CAT for scratching where he’s allowed to scratch, can’t imagine thinking it was ok to tell a CHILD off!
I once threw a date down a flight of stairs when he hit my dog for being in MY kitchen.
Load More Replies...I would ask the sister why she's got the back of her weirdo new friend and not her family? I don't know why some people think that the OP was too harsh with her words. She was spot on and defensive about her home and her child. The gall of that woman to actually then justify her actions and argue too! Good for OP for telling her she was way out of line. What guest at someone's house follows a 10yr old into his own kitchen and says he can't eat until his Mother says so?. I mean, the kid even argued back with her probably saying ' I don't need my Mums permission' and the woman STILL argued with the kid??. So she knew then that her rules don't apply in this household and she still dug her heels in. Total freaky oddball.
Her behavior has nothing to do with being a teacher. It's about being a control freak.
Was wondering if she wanted the kid out of the kitchen so she could secretly scarf down some food or liquor
Too many other guests to do that... I doubt she would've tried.
Load More Replies...I (62m) knew a few teachers like that growing up. They thought they could make us students follow their rules outside of the classroom. Nope, never going to happen. One teacher actually tried to give me detention for telling her I would not follow her rules outside of the classroom, let alone the school. Then she tried to have me suspended for refusing to attend the detention. It did not end well for her when my parents confronted the principal.
NTA, holy sh*t. People need to stop acting like children are second-class citizens or worse, ticking time-bombs about to explode. If you don't know the kid and don't know the rule, assuming they aren't doing something explicitly dangerous or threatening someone else, stay in your f*cking lane and leave the kids alone.
The sister and her friend are the AHs. The Mom handled the situation in the same way that I would have. Just because someone is a teacher doesn't give them the right to discipline a child that they don't know in the child's home.
Why guest was way out of line. I think the mother was very restrained. My SIL is just like that. I have to tell her repeatedly when she argues with me "quit f****** telling me what I can and can't do with my son. By this point I'm practically screaming.
A form none of her business. I don’t know how old the child is but from about 5 on up my kids knew what they could and could not eat out of the pantry they had their shelf at my house and my mom made a cubbard for them.
Yeah, she definitely needed to go and I'd probably contact the school district and question her ability to be a good teacher. First thing that popped in my head when reading the caption was the only time I ever watched any of those stupid wife swap shows. Crew came in and hubby and another woman was there. They start doing their thing and soon the other woman chimed in and said she disagreed with swapped wifes decision. Things go back and forth and it's revealed that the other woman is the husband AND wifes girlfriend and that she has authority over the show and swapped wifes decisions. If they don't like it, they can go. And go they eventually did.
In a lot of states, a 10 year can legally be left home alone for periods of time. Who's he gonna ask then?
NTA. Unless you are a relative or years old friend, when you come in my house, you stay where you are seated unless I invite you elsewhere, or to the bathroom. And don't speak to my kids.
I would be pissed off with the woman as well, that is so over stepping the mark on behavior. I'm a bit concerned about your sister's choice in friends though, she may start copying this woman's actions... scary thought
Curious to hear if that friend had a rule as a kid at home to not be allowed in the kitchen. That must have been a f*cked up way of growing up.
I don't have kids. That said, I would never say anything to someone's child unless the kid was about to pick up a sharp knife or something that might seriously hurt them. Helicopter your own kids, not someone else's. NTA
No it not her house, she doesn't even know you or your son. She (the guest) is the a-hole
Years ago my cousin from Japan were visiting. As we sat around I helped myself to a glass of wine. My cousin's wife started whispered to him in Japanese, pointing to me. Laughing out loud he said "she 22". That's how you handle concern for a child you don't know; she spoke to her husband, someone actually related to me, before embarrassing herself.
I would bet the sister is doubling down more out of embarrassment than actually being angry. Embarrassed by her friends behavior and her sisters reaction to said behavior. That being said you're not wrong at all and that lady is weird
I completely agree the friend was out of line on how she handled things. But - and this might be unpopular - I wonder if the response to it was overly harsh? The friend needed to be firmly and assertively told that she was out of line, but I have to wonder if the assertive response was actually more aggressive. The OP seems to indicate that she can be that way.
I don't think the response was harsh. A stranger visited OP's house for the first time ever and attempted to impose her own rules onto OP's child. Imagine this from the child's viewpoint...a complete stranger follows you into your kitchen and starts telling you what to do. What else might this stranger take it upon herself to feel entitled to do?
Load More Replies...She's what 30-40??? how the hell did she get a teaching degree??? also the son was old enough to do s**t himself my god the nerve of that woman! the poor kids she teaches!
And your comment got a downvote too. No idea why... fixed ;)
Load More Replies...My mom's a retired teacher and she has been a guest in multiple people's homes and she doesn't start telling their children what to do. She understands that that is not her place. This woman had no right to go into OPs house and tell OPs son what to do. It is especially odd that she followed him into the kitchen. If she is a teacher, she doesn't need to be one because she obviously doesn't know how to behave in normal situations. The boy was going into HIS kitchen in HIS house. He didn't need permission from her or anyone else. Was OPs tone harsh? Maybe, but she was defending her child from an overstepping stranger in his own home.
No idea why someone downvoted your perfectly good, and well made point. Let me fix that right now.... there you go...
Load More Replies...I would be seriously pissed if someone told me son he can’t go into a room in his own home. He can go into which ever room he wants. He lives here.
In his damn underwear if he chooses.. ok, well maybe if he wasn't aware of company. I have 6 sons, it's boxer city here.
Load More Replies...This woman's go to position on children is that they have zero rights to access food and water or beverages without the express permission of an adult. Let that sink in.
Yeah and that must be a real draconian viewpoint on that issue to try and even enforce that on a complete strangers kid. The fact she's a Teacher should not have excused her behaviour, it should have been the opposite. 'Hell nah, you are a Teacher and you are teaching in someone's home, off the clock? Whaaat?'
Load More Replies...The absolute nerve of some people.!! Wow.! If it had been me, got your s#@& ,and get out of my house ! Never come back until you learn some manners, how to behave in someone else's home. The sister can kiss it. The friend was totally disrespectful.
EXACTLY.the sister is the AH, AH of the year.
Load More Replies...Honestly, who gave this STRANGER permission to speak to a 10 year old? That in it's self, is enough for to have tossed her bag, and her a*s out of my house! What mental place is a person like in, that she toads a small boy, into a private place, away from his Aunt? Although, maybe I am Karen-ing here, but I have 6 children so, I actually have an opinion. I feel maybe, a conversation with this stalking teachers' employer? Maybe she is struggling with past childhood trauma, or infertility? No idea, but something is off. But the sister/Aunt is the true AH in this story. She should have your back in all aspects of your child safety and growth. I'm not sure why so many red flags went up when I read this, but I feel uncomfortable.
Sorry, I guess I read this on my son's phone..I'm a Mom..lmao
Load More Replies..."Kids try to get around the rules". Lol, it's her first time in that house, what could she possibly know about their rules? I could understand if it was a very small child and she was concerned they could accidentally hurt themselves somehow, but 10 year old children are normally perfectly capable of putting food on their plates without assistance.
I'm hesitant to reprimand my nephew when his parents aren't around even though I have permission in certain cases to do so. Like he can get too rough (he's 5) and if he accidentally hurts me or almost breaks something it's reasonable for me to tell him something like to stop and he needs to calm down while using a stern tone(acceptable tone by both parents); i really feel wierd about it but it must be done when safety is a concern. But to reprimand a complete strangers kid like that is ridiculous especially when a family member is literally right next to you. That's some brass balls thinking it's ok
I have a bias against teachers for this reason. The ones who aren't suited for the job act like this. They think they have the right to control children (and in my experience, they want to control anyone they feel they have authority over, whether it is because of age or social status or economic status) no matter the situation just because they have that authority during the school day. I have had so, so many teachers talk down to me for basically no reason. It is disgusting.
Quite honestly, being the blunt-*ss that I am, if anyone tried policing what my kids can or cannot do in their own house, it's GTFO for them. Unless they are thrashing the place or causing a major disturbance, they can very well grab a snack from the fridge, watch Netflix, play games etc as and when it is reasonable. Smh!!!
Gods’ sake! I kicked someone out of my place for yelling at my CAT for scratching where he’s allowed to scratch, can’t imagine thinking it was ok to tell a CHILD off!
I once threw a date down a flight of stairs when he hit my dog for being in MY kitchen.
Load More Replies...I would ask the sister why she's got the back of her weirdo new friend and not her family? I don't know why some people think that the OP was too harsh with her words. She was spot on and defensive about her home and her child. The gall of that woman to actually then justify her actions and argue too! Good for OP for telling her she was way out of line. What guest at someone's house follows a 10yr old into his own kitchen and says he can't eat until his Mother says so?. I mean, the kid even argued back with her probably saying ' I don't need my Mums permission' and the woman STILL argued with the kid??. So she knew then that her rules don't apply in this household and she still dug her heels in. Total freaky oddball.
Her behavior has nothing to do with being a teacher. It's about being a control freak.
Was wondering if she wanted the kid out of the kitchen so she could secretly scarf down some food or liquor
Too many other guests to do that... I doubt she would've tried.
Load More Replies...I (62m) knew a few teachers like that growing up. They thought they could make us students follow their rules outside of the classroom. Nope, never going to happen. One teacher actually tried to give me detention for telling her I would not follow her rules outside of the classroom, let alone the school. Then she tried to have me suspended for refusing to attend the detention. It did not end well for her when my parents confronted the principal.
NTA, holy sh*t. People need to stop acting like children are second-class citizens or worse, ticking time-bombs about to explode. If you don't know the kid and don't know the rule, assuming they aren't doing something explicitly dangerous or threatening someone else, stay in your f*cking lane and leave the kids alone.
The sister and her friend are the AHs. The Mom handled the situation in the same way that I would have. Just because someone is a teacher doesn't give them the right to discipline a child that they don't know in the child's home.
Why guest was way out of line. I think the mother was very restrained. My SIL is just like that. I have to tell her repeatedly when she argues with me "quit f****** telling me what I can and can't do with my son. By this point I'm practically screaming.
A form none of her business. I don’t know how old the child is but from about 5 on up my kids knew what they could and could not eat out of the pantry they had their shelf at my house and my mom made a cubbard for them.
Yeah, she definitely needed to go and I'd probably contact the school district and question her ability to be a good teacher. First thing that popped in my head when reading the caption was the only time I ever watched any of those stupid wife swap shows. Crew came in and hubby and another woman was there. They start doing their thing and soon the other woman chimed in and said she disagreed with swapped wifes decision. Things go back and forth and it's revealed that the other woman is the husband AND wifes girlfriend and that she has authority over the show and swapped wifes decisions. If they don't like it, they can go. And go they eventually did.
In a lot of states, a 10 year can legally be left home alone for periods of time. Who's he gonna ask then?
NTA. Unless you are a relative or years old friend, when you come in my house, you stay where you are seated unless I invite you elsewhere, or to the bathroom. And don't speak to my kids.
I would be pissed off with the woman as well, that is so over stepping the mark on behavior. I'm a bit concerned about your sister's choice in friends though, she may start copying this woman's actions... scary thought
Curious to hear if that friend had a rule as a kid at home to not be allowed in the kitchen. That must have been a f*cked up way of growing up.
I don't have kids. That said, I would never say anything to someone's child unless the kid was about to pick up a sharp knife or something that might seriously hurt them. Helicopter your own kids, not someone else's. NTA
No it not her house, she doesn't even know you or your son. She (the guest) is the a-hole
Years ago my cousin from Japan were visiting. As we sat around I helped myself to a glass of wine. My cousin's wife started whispered to him in Japanese, pointing to me. Laughing out loud he said "she 22". That's how you handle concern for a child you don't know; she spoke to her husband, someone actually related to me, before embarrassing herself.
I would bet the sister is doubling down more out of embarrassment than actually being angry. Embarrassed by her friends behavior and her sisters reaction to said behavior. That being said you're not wrong at all and that lady is weird
I completely agree the friend was out of line on how she handled things. But - and this might be unpopular - I wonder if the response to it was overly harsh? The friend needed to be firmly and assertively told that she was out of line, but I have to wonder if the assertive response was actually more aggressive. The OP seems to indicate that she can be that way.
I don't think the response was harsh. A stranger visited OP's house for the first time ever and attempted to impose her own rules onto OP's child. Imagine this from the child's viewpoint...a complete stranger follows you into your kitchen and starts telling you what to do. What else might this stranger take it upon herself to feel entitled to do?
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