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Children can really be a nuisance at times, but after all, they are just kids who don’t know how to behave unless they’re told so, and it’s their parents’ responsibility to keep them in check. Well, not every parent pays conscious attention to their child and takes accountability for their actions.
For instance, when a kid was being chaotic at a restaurant, his mom was completely negligent that it was bothering people. So, Reddit user Reasonable-Onion6764 asked the kid to stop, but he screamed while saying it and even threatened to send him out alone; of course, the kid burst into tears!
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
Kids don’t understand what’s right or wrong behavior, it’s the adults’ responsibility to teach them
Image credits: ansiia / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The 21-year-old poster went with his college friends to celebrate passing their exams at a restaurant where most of the customers were adults
Image credits: Reasonable-Onion6764
Image credits: master1305 / Freepik (not the actual photo)
While they were waiting for their food, two women with a baby and a kid, who was probably between 7 to 10 years of age, entered the restaurant, and the kid started playing
Image credits: Reasonable-Onion6764
Image credits: tommao wang / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
He was running around and yelling loudly, which annoyed everyone, but the mom was negligent, so the poster stopped the kid and screamed at him to stop or he’d send him out alone
Image credits: Reasonable-Onion6764
The child burst into tears, so his angry mom rushed over to tell off the poster, and the staff intervened but the mom just took her son and left
In today’s story, Redditors deemed that all the adults were in the wrong for their actions, but what actually happened – let’s find out! The original poster (OP) is a 21-year-old college student who went to a restaurant for lunch with his friends to celebrate that they had passed their exams.
While all the customers at the restaurant were adults, suddenly two women with a baby and a kid entered and took a table in the corner. OP says that the child was somewhere between 7 to 10 years of age, and he started doing what children that age generally do, playing and running around!
The mom was completely negligent that her child was annoying the other customers, and so, he went completely rogue and started yelling while he kept running around OP and his friends’ table. That was probably the breaking point for the poster who stopped the kid and told him to sit down and wait till he went home to run around.
He further went on to threaten to make the kid wait outside alone, and as if on cue, the little one burst into tears. That’s when his mom got a wakeup call and came and reprimanded the poster. Even the staff got involved and tried to pacify the situation, but the furious mom just took her kid and left.
Well, the child must have been terrified by it all, because the poster’s friends also claimed that he actually screamed at the kid, and threatening to leave him outside alone was no joke either. We all know how sensitive children can be about such things, so when the story was posted online, Redditors didn’t shy away from calling out the poster, and some even accused the mom.
Image credits: drobotdean / Freepik (not the actual photo)
People were completely shocked by the way the poster dealt with the kid because screaming and threatening was downright unjustifiable. They said that he was trying not to show himself in the bad light by claiming, “In my mind I was quite calm but apparently I was screaming at the kid”. However, his friends themselves were proof that he had actually screamed.
According to Healthline, “Yelling makes children more aggressive, physically and verbally. Yelling in general, no matter what the context, is an expression of anger. It scares children and makes them feel insecure.” Folks said that OP’s screaming must have been over the top if the child started crying, and it was not his place to do so.
Some netizens also pointed out that the mom was equally at fault because of the way she neglected the chaotic way in which her son was behaving. They argued that due to the lack of discipline in the kid, he felt that he could do anything and get away with it, and to be honest, it was not his fault but his parents’.
UNICEF states that positive discipline is important for kids because there are no bad children, only bad behavior. People said that her anger when some random stranger made her son cry was quite understandable, but it wouldn’t have even happened if she had not neglected him and disciplined him.
HealthyChildren.org, an American Academy of Pediatrics parenting website, states, “The most powerful tool for effective discipline is attention—to reinforce good behaviors and discourage others. Remember, all children want their parent’s attention.”
It seems like that’s the exact point the mom was missing, and maybe if she paid attention to her son when he started acting out, it might have discouraged him from bothering others in public places. But no matter what, the stranger had no right to yell at the kid the way he did.
Well, what do you think about it? Just scroll down and drop your thoughts in the comments!
Folks didn’t shy away from calling out the poster for scaring the kid, while some also blamed the negligent mom
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What do you think ?
arthbach 2 months ago
Children should never be running around in a restaurant. They are a safety risk. There's busy people walking around with hot food and drinks. No child should be running around.
Trillian 2 months ago
It was fine for him to SAY something but he didn't have to scream.
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UncleJohn3000 2 months ago
The word 'parent' is also a verb. None of this would have happened had there been an actual parent nearby.
Lee Gilliland 2 months ago
Kids running around in restaurants are HAZARDOUS. We waiters are PETRIFIED of dumping hot soup or frijoles and causing major burns. He didn't need to yell, but consarn it, this is a safety issue. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't let your kids run around. Really.
Papa 2 months ago
I gave you an up vote for "hot soup or FRIJOLES." I do love charro beans.
Load More Replies...
Ge Po 2 months ago
I would have stated NTA, if there had not been the screaming and threatening part. I am not too fond of the idea that only parents are allowed to tell a child that their behaviour is not acceptable. I see it as one of the reasons a lot of parents struggle so much with setting boundaries, because the 'village it requires to raise a child' is no longer allowed to pitch in and back-up that same parent. As I said earlier, all within good reason of course, (calm and suited to the child's age/level of understanding) and preferably, as it was here, with the parents around as well, or with the parents getting a heads-up afterwards.
PeakyBlinder 2 months ago
If mother had done her job this would not have happened, also staff should take care of that before other customers have to complain. A Restaurant is not a playground and parents have to make sure their kids are behaving socially acceptable wherever they go.
Ms.GB 2 months ago (edited)
Was it appropriate to yell at the kid...no, but on the other hand that kid is gonna learn at some point that there are ppl in the world that arent going to show him the patience that his mom or the other patrons might show him. Chalk it up to a learning experience.
kath morgan 2 months ago
I don’t think he’s the ässhole. Managing a child appropriately is the responsibility of the parent. If they refuse to do it, they choose the risk of someone else having to do it. Someone who does not necessarily know how to speak to a child/how the parent prefers it done. I always really resent it when I am left in the position of managing a child because I have no idea what I’m doing and can’t guarantee I’ll do it appropriately. Then I’m suddenly the bad guy? It’s like making a mess and getting mad at the person who cleaned up after you for using the wrong sponge. Parent your own children.
Lou Cam 2 months ago
I hate parents who let their kids run around in restaurants. Primarily because I'm a parent who puts a lot of time and energy into keeping my kids calm, quiet and not bothering anyone. I still get nasty glares for bringing kids anywhere in public and that's because of parents like these. People assume kids automatically mean noise and mess and that's not so with all of them.
SirWriteALot 2 months ago
I have, harshly, interacted with other kids, too. If they're a pain in the a*s to me, their freedom of expression ends where mine begins. Go play, do whatever, but if you bother ME, you will have an issue. No screaming, obviously.
Thanos'Fingers 2 months ago
Keep candy on you. When the kids being annoying, give him a creepy smile and offer him some candy. Most kids that age will have heard the stranger danger candy in a van story so much by that point they'll haul a*s straight back to mom. And all you had to do is offer a butterscotch.
Load More Replies... Kelly Scott 2 months ago
Don't like someone disciplining your kid? Hey, you can't complain about the village not being there and then complain when it is. I never yelled at a kid, but I have told them to sit down and shut up. One mom was NOT happy. All I told her was, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I mistook you for the babysitter, since you weren't, you know, PARENTING your child. But maybe if YOU told him to sit down and shut up, I wouldn't have to." That was the end of that conversation.
Surly Scot 2 months ago
Wait til the kid does a run around the table, go to stand up just as he's coming round to you, let him hit you, fall to the floor screaming, holding an 'injured' arm and yelling "who's kid is this?! I will sue the parents, and the restaurant for letting this unsafe situation happen!". Parents won't let their kids run wild again, and you'll likely have your meal for free.
Just stopping by 2 months ago
I'm sorry nta. At best ESH only because they screamed. The YTA people are once again off
Coffee 2 months ago
Parents who do not teach their kids how to respect public spaces and people's boundaries ruin things for other parents and other well-behaved kids. Now their are child-free restaurants and weddings because of parents not doing their jobs. Unfortunately, we'll behaved kids get to miss out on these things too. Personally, if a child disrespects my boundaries I am talking directly to them to calm down. F**k all this "don't talk to my child", cause if you had taught the child how to behave, I would have had to.
Chris Landrum 2 months ago
I dated a girl who let her kid run around a restaurant and thought everyone wanted to meet her kid. I was not raised that way and it bugged me. I eventually got her to bring crayons for her child
_-DungeonKeeper-_ 2 months ago
If I could meet that person I'd tell her that no one cares that you have a child, we're trying to eat
Load More Replies... _-DungeonKeeper-_ 2 months ago
NTA. You'll hate me and downvote me and call me names, but I've grown thick skin and strong opinions. If you can't keep your kid at your table, sitting and eating (unless they didn't get anything), leave the restaurant and find someone willing to parent your child for you. As some easily annoyed by kids, if they aren't in their place behaving and you're not stopping them, or you're telling to stop and they're not taking you seriously, you did it wrong. YOU'RE A PARENT, PARENT YOUR CHILD
Cooking Panda 2 months ago
NTA. If I were the OP, I would have stuck my feet out and tackle that kid. I won't even bother to scream at him. Yes I'm petty like that
Thanos'Fingers 2 months ago
You'd also have to deal with Mom's smug smile and the wait staff's visible disappointment as you are hauled out in handcuffs.
Load More Replies... Kat Lineker 2 months ago
The poster was right to stop the kid. The lazy mom was letting him drive everybody around him crazy! And he was between 7 and 10 years old?? By the time he's that age, he shouldn't be doing that. That sounds more like 3 or 4 year old behavior. That said--the way he stopped the kid wasn't great. He shouldn't have screamed; that just escalates things. And telling him he was going to make him wait outside? That's not enforceable. If you aren't the parent, you don't really have the right to do that. If OP had told the kid in a firm but normal tone of voice to sit down and be quiet, I would have agreed with him.
painttheyellowsubgreen 2 months ago
I absolutely agree with you. I don't really do social media, so I'm not sure if it's a soft yta or an esh concerning the threat to take him outside and leave him. Nta for telling the kid to stop running around, if it had gone down in actuality the way he heard it in his own head. I don't think in this instance a verdict on yta for him yelling at the child is wholly justified. This post actually raises a much larger issue of the disconnect between how he thought he was speaking and the fact that he was actually yelling. Yelling wasn't his intent, and begs the question... How often has an interaction with someone not gone the way he heard inside his own head? I can't imagine this is the very first time that there's been such a discrepancy.
Load More Replies...
Dorian Gabriel 1 month ago
Okay but, what I think is a more pressing issue: if he genuinely thinks he was calm and his voice was level, but even his friends said he was "screaming," what's up there? Is it an anger issue, or a voice regulation issue? That can be anything from damage from d**g abuse to ADHD, but most people that age at least know they have that problem (though they don't realize it's happening in the moment). I'd be genuinely concerned if I were him as to what was causing the disconnect.
The_Nicest_Misanthrope 2 months ago
Maybe it's cos I can't stand children, but I'm not seeing a problem....
Carol Borg 2 months ago (edited)
All these people giving you grief for telling the kid off, ignore them- I'll bet many of them are the same type of people that let their kids run loose ambivalent of the fact that you were in a public placing paying for a meal and space you could enjoy. Selfish parents like these drive me crazy and they certainly don't deserve a pass from you or anyone. When a kid (and their parents) are being ignorant of other people's comfort, sometimes the only way to do deal with it is to treat them the same way. The kid wasn't getting any parenting so he needed alittle shock therapy as did his parental units. Blaming you is deflecting the cause of the situation. Could you have called over the manager, yes but the staff clearly saw what was happening and did nothing forcing you to take matters into your own hands. The only people that should feel responsible and bad are the kids parents. Hopefully they learned a lesson.
daniel ikelman 2 months ago
That's just bad parenting. Whole situation is the parents fault. Its unacceptable to let children run amok in a restaurant...not to mention dangerous
Roberta Surprenant 2 months ago
think I would have just put a foot out for him to trip over while he was running around.
zovjraar me 2 months ago
i think it's fine if a kid is bothering you by smacking into your table or running around. it's fine to say, please stop that. but not yell, and you NEVER make a consequence that you aren't willing or able to follow through with. it's a empty threat, and the kid will learn that their bad behavior doesn't really have consequences. by the same token, if you promise to do something nice dependent on good behavior, you have to do it or the kid will not be motivated to do things they should.
Comment Deleted 2 months ago
THIS STORY IS A YEAR OLD. Wow BP another winner. You even dug up the meth / spaghettio story from TEN YEARS ago.
Thanos'Fingers 2 months ago
Can't expect them to actually do their job now, can we?
Load More Replies...
DrBronxx 2 months ago
How can you not notice that you yourself are *screaming* at someone? Is this maybe a language barrier thing? Maybe OP just means that they raised their voice? Anyway, it seems that OP can't fundamentally control themselves, so why should they expect a *child* to do the same? Not saying the child should have been messing about as he was, but glass houses, you know?
Inglourioustmnt 2 months ago
“Should I say that neither of the women that were with him did nothing to stop him”. “ neither of the women did something.” You sure you passed your exams bud?
Darthest Starfish 2 months ago
Truly a fair ESH. The kid is just being a kid but most likely understands proper and not, the mom for obviously not parenting her child, but dude was a giant AH in this case. Honestly, unless my kid is kicking you screaming in your face, or stealing something from you, I better never catch you saying this to my child or as an adult screaming at them. It won't end well for anyone involved.
Kelly Scott 2 months ago (edited)
I think in the case of my friend, screaming was pretty much justified. I wasn't there for this, but apparently in a restaurant she was in, a kid came running up to her table and tried to take food off her plate, putting his fingers in her food. Her response was "Get the f**k away from me, you little s**t!" in a very loud voice. She also told me she almost dumped her plate at the mother's table and was going to tell her that SHE, the mother, was going to pay for it, but the waiter calmed her down and went over to have a long talk with mom.
Load More Replies...
arthbach 2 months ago
Children should never be running around in a restaurant. They are a safety risk. There's busy people walking around with hot food and drinks. No child should be running around.
Trillian 2 months ago
It was fine for him to SAY something but he didn't have to scream.
Load More Replies... UncleJohn3000 2 months ago
The word 'parent' is also a verb. None of this would have happened had there been an actual parent nearby.
Lee Gilliland 2 months ago
Kids running around in restaurants are HAZARDOUS. We waiters are PETRIFIED of dumping hot soup or frijoles and causing major burns. He didn't need to yell, but consarn it, this is a safety issue. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't let your kids run around. Really.
Papa 2 months ago
I gave you an up vote for "hot soup or FRIJOLES." I do love charro beans.
Load More Replies... Ge Po 2 months ago
I would have stated NTA, if there had not been the screaming and threatening part. I am not too fond of the idea that only parents are allowed to tell a child that their behaviour is not acceptable. I see it as one of the reasons a lot of parents struggle so much with setting boundaries, because the 'village it requires to raise a child' is no longer allowed to pitch in and back-up that same parent. As I said earlier, all within good reason of course, (calm and suited to the child's age/level of understanding) and preferably, as it was here, with the parents around as well, or with the parents getting a heads-up afterwards.
PeakyBlinder 2 months ago
If mother had done her job this would not have happened, also staff should take care of that before other customers have to complain. A Restaurant is not a playground and parents have to make sure their kids are behaving socially acceptable wherever they go.
Ms.GB 2 months ago (edited)
Was it appropriate to yell at the kid...no, but on the other hand that kid is gonna learn at some point that there are ppl in the world that arent going to show him the patience that his mom or the other patrons might show him. Chalk it up to a learning experience.
kath morgan 2 months ago
I don’t think he’s the ässhole. Managing a child appropriately is the responsibility of the parent. If they refuse to do it, they choose the risk of someone else having to do it. Someone who does not necessarily know how to speak to a child/how the parent prefers it done. I always really resent it when I am left in the position of managing a child because I have no idea what I’m doing and can’t guarantee I’ll do it appropriately. Then I’m suddenly the bad guy? It’s like making a mess and getting mad at the person who cleaned up after you for using the wrong sponge. Parent your own children.
Lou Cam 2 months ago
I hate parents who let their kids run around in restaurants. Primarily because I'm a parent who puts a lot of time and energy into keeping my kids calm, quiet and not bothering anyone. I still get nasty glares for bringing kids anywhere in public and that's because of parents like these. People assume kids automatically mean noise and mess and that's not so with all of them.
SirWriteALot 2 months ago
I have, harshly, interacted with other kids, too. If they're a pain in the a*s to me, their freedom of expression ends where mine begins. Go play, do whatever, but if you bother ME, you will have an issue. No screaming, obviously.
Thanos'Fingers 2 months ago
Keep candy on you. When the kids being annoying, give him a creepy smile and offer him some candy. Most kids that age will have heard the stranger danger candy in a van story so much by that point they'll haul a*s straight back to mom. And all you had to do is offer a butterscotch.
Load More Replies... Kelly Scott 2 months ago
Don't like someone disciplining your kid? Hey, you can't complain about the village not being there and then complain when it is. I never yelled at a kid, but I have told them to sit down and shut up. One mom was NOT happy. All I told her was, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I mistook you for the babysitter, since you weren't, you know, PARENTING your child. But maybe if YOU told him to sit down and shut up, I wouldn't have to." That was the end of that conversation.
Surly Scot 2 months ago
Wait til the kid does a run around the table, go to stand up just as he's coming round to you, let him hit you, fall to the floor screaming, holding an 'injured' arm and yelling "who's kid is this?! I will sue the parents, and the restaurant for letting this unsafe situation happen!". Parents won't let their kids run wild again, and you'll likely have your meal for free.
Just stopping by 2 months ago
I'm sorry nta. At best ESH only because they screamed. The YTA people are once again off
Coffee 2 months ago
Parents who do not teach their kids how to respect public spaces and people's boundaries ruin things for other parents and other well-behaved kids. Now their are child-free restaurants and weddings because of parents not doing their jobs. Unfortunately, we'll behaved kids get to miss out on these things too. Personally, if a child disrespects my boundaries I am talking directly to them to calm down. F**k all this "don't talk to my child", cause if you had taught the child how to behave, I would have had to.
Chris Landrum 2 months ago
I dated a girl who let her kid run around a restaurant and thought everyone wanted to meet her kid. I was not raised that way and it bugged me. I eventually got her to bring crayons for her child
_-DungeonKeeper-_ 2 months ago
If I could meet that person I'd tell her that no one cares that you have a child, we're trying to eat
Load More Replies... _-DungeonKeeper-_ 2 months ago
NTA. You'll hate me and downvote me and call me names, but I've grown thick skin and strong opinions. If you can't keep your kid at your table, sitting and eating (unless they didn't get anything), leave the restaurant and find someone willing to parent your child for you. As some easily annoyed by kids, if they aren't in their place behaving and you're not stopping them, or you're telling to stop and they're not taking you seriously, you did it wrong. YOU'RE A PARENT, PARENT YOUR CHILD
Cooking Panda 2 months ago
NTA. If I were the OP, I would have stuck my feet out and tackle that kid. I won't even bother to scream at him. Yes I'm petty like that
Thanos'Fingers 2 months ago
You'd also have to deal with Mom's smug smile and the wait staff's visible disappointment as you are hauled out in handcuffs.
Load More Replies... Kat Lineker 2 months ago
The poster was right to stop the kid. The lazy mom was letting him drive everybody around him crazy! And he was between 7 and 10 years old?? By the time he's that age, he shouldn't be doing that. That sounds more like 3 or 4 year old behavior. That said--the way he stopped the kid wasn't great. He shouldn't have screamed; that just escalates things. And telling him he was going to make him wait outside? That's not enforceable. If you aren't the parent, you don't really have the right to do that. If OP had told the kid in a firm but normal tone of voice to sit down and be quiet, I would have agreed with him.
painttheyellowsubgreen 2 months ago
I absolutely agree with you. I don't really do social media, so I'm not sure if it's a soft yta or an esh concerning the threat to take him outside and leave him. Nta for telling the kid to stop running around, if it had gone down in actuality the way he heard it in his own head. I don't think in this instance a verdict on yta for him yelling at the child is wholly justified. This post actually raises a much larger issue of the disconnect between how he thought he was speaking and the fact that he was actually yelling. Yelling wasn't his intent, and begs the question... How often has an interaction with someone not gone the way he heard inside his own head? I can't imagine this is the very first time that there's been such a discrepancy.
Load More Replies... Dorian Gabriel 1 month ago
Okay but, what I think is a more pressing issue: if he genuinely thinks he was calm and his voice was level, but even his friends said he was "screaming," what's up there? Is it an anger issue, or a voice regulation issue? That can be anything from damage from d**g abuse to ADHD, but most people that age at least know they have that problem (though they don't realize it's happening in the moment). I'd be genuinely concerned if I were him as to what was causing the disconnect.
The_Nicest_Misanthrope 2 months ago
Maybe it's cos I can't stand children, but I'm not seeing a problem....
Carol Borg 2 months ago (edited)
All these people giving you grief for telling the kid off, ignore them- I'll bet many of them are the same type of people that let their kids run loose ambivalent of the fact that you were in a public placing paying for a meal and space you could enjoy. Selfish parents like these drive me crazy and they certainly don't deserve a pass from you or anyone. When a kid (and their parents) are being ignorant of other people's comfort, sometimes the only way to do deal with it is to treat them the same way. The kid wasn't getting any parenting so he needed alittle shock therapy as did his parental units. Blaming you is deflecting the cause of the situation. Could you have called over the manager, yes but the staff clearly saw what was happening and did nothing forcing you to take matters into your own hands. The only people that should feel responsible and bad are the kids parents. Hopefully they learned a lesson.
daniel ikelman 2 months ago
That's just bad parenting. Whole situation is the parents fault. Its unacceptable to let children run amok in a restaurant...not to mention dangerous
Roberta Surprenant 2 months ago
think I would have just put a foot out for him to trip over while he was running around.
zovjraar me 2 months ago
i think it's fine if a kid is bothering you by smacking into your table or running around. it's fine to say, please stop that. but not yell, and you NEVER make a consequence that you aren't willing or able to follow through with. it's a empty threat, and the kid will learn that their bad behavior doesn't really have consequences. by the same token, if you promise to do something nice dependent on good behavior, you have to do it or the kid will not be motivated to do things they should.
Comment Deleted 2 months ago
THIS STORY IS A YEAR OLD. Wow BP another winner. You even dug up the meth / spaghettio story from TEN YEARS ago.
Thanos'Fingers 2 months ago
Can't expect them to actually do their job now, can we?
Load More Replies... DrBronxx 2 months ago
How can you not notice that you yourself are *screaming* at someone? Is this maybe a language barrier thing? Maybe OP just means that they raised their voice? Anyway, it seems that OP can't fundamentally control themselves, so why should they expect a *child* to do the same? Not saying the child should have been messing about as he was, but glass houses, you know?
Inglourioustmnt 2 months ago
“Should I say that neither of the women that were with him did nothing to stop him”. “ neither of the women did something.” You sure you passed your exams bud?
Darthest Starfish 2 months ago
Truly a fair ESH. The kid is just being a kid but most likely understands proper and not, the mom for obviously not parenting her child, but dude was a giant AH in this case. Honestly, unless my kid is kicking you screaming in your face, or stealing something from you, I better never catch you saying this to my child or as an adult screaming at them. It won't end well for anyone involved.
Kelly Scott 2 months ago (edited)
I think in the case of my friend, screaming was pretty much justified. I wasn't there for this, but apparently in a restaurant she was in, a kid came running up to her table and tried to take food off her plate, putting his fingers in her food. Her response was "Get the f**k away from me, you little s**t!" in a very loud voice. She also told me she almost dumped her plate at the mother's table and was going to tell her that SHE, the mother, was going to pay for it, but the waiter calmed her down and went over to have a long talk with mom.
Load More Replies... 
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