The news here is getting me down. . .

[Rockmama]

Originally Posted by tonygeorgia

Keep your kids under control when you are in public, nobody wants to hear your crying baby/kid on in public

This reminds me of my husband, a 42-year-old who never planned to have kids. He tells me of stories of screaming babies on airplanes... he was the a-hole who said, "Can't you just throw the baby out the window?"

Now we've got a 4-month-old whose big screaming mouth just pierced the eardrums of all the patrons at Super Target. I'm sorry about this, everyone. Sometimes I can't help it, cause babies cry LOUDLY. I'll try to get the baby out FAST when I'm shopping.

It's not the babies that are the issue though, is it? It's the misbehavin' toddlers. I've had some of those, too. There's a cure for it. It's called discipline!

.

[SleeplessnATL]

** I have not read the other replies yet, so I apologize if I am repeating something that someone else has already stated.**

To rcsteiner and neil0311:

I do agree with your points about media exposure. . .but more along the lines of people mimicking and accepting what is seen and heard on the screen and radio.

I am young--not too young--and I have come across quite a few "crazies" in my life. . .some of whom made the news. But back then, it seemed that people were less tolerant of their type of behavior. They would be scorned, condemned and, then, used as a teaching tool (not as fuel for retaliation or a form of entertainment). People would remember. . .and I still do.

But the vibe of today is quite different from the vibe of the past. There just appears to be a "coolness" that exists with the world when it comes to being crazy. A lot of people seem to want to partake. And everyone wants to outdo the other person. Many are willing (and able) to commit some type of negative act towards another because THEY feel it is the right thing to do (ex. If someone ever negative action, then I would negative action.) . . .not controlled by respect, compassion, or inhibition. And then there are the countless others who just sit back and watch (or listen to) it happen--perhaps on the 5 o'clock news.

So, I guess I went through all of this to say that I agree with your statements that these heinous acts are not new. And I agree that the media is perpetuating the problem. But I believe that there is a greater issue with this developed and modern-day society. . .and it seems to be related to lack of respect for laws and life. And that is what sickens/saddens me the most.

[SleeplessnATL]

To everyone else:

Thanks for the additional details. I did not follow-up on the article after reading it yesterday. If the mother was indeed allowing her child to be loud and rude in the store, then I think that she was just as wrong as the man who slapped her child.

Atlantagreg: I like how you handled the lady with the kid. I wholeheartedly believe that the issue should have been taken up with the mother. Got a point across. . .hope it stuck with her.

I am not sure how I would have responded to the incident with "slappy." As much as I try to respect laws and life. . .I am not a fool. First off my child would have never been in the store screaming and hollering. And if he was, then it would have been because I could not get out in time. SO, to think that someone would have slapped him before I made it out. . .well, that would have enraged me, just to say the least. I cannot imagine what I would have done. Let's just say that my heart began to race and the hairs raised on my neck as I read the article.

[johnnyboy2008]

Once I turned all the depressing news off, my life got much happier. Try it for 30 days.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by Rockmama

Now we've got a 4-month-old whose big screaming mouth just pierced the eardrums of all the patrons at Super Target. I'm sorry about this, everyone. Sometimes I can't help it, cause babies cry LOUDLY. I'll try to get the baby out FAST when I'm shopping.

It's not the babies that are the issue though, is it? It's the misbehavin' toddlers. I've had some of those, too. There's a cure for it. It's called discipline!

I wouldn't sweat it. You have to shop. Shopping isn't necessarily a quiet endeavor and people need to have proper expectations. Most people have kids or understand what it means to have kids. Kids are people too.

The people that make me want to strangle them are the inconsiderates who bring infants and young children to movie theaters or other venues where you want quiet and small children are inappropriate, especially in the evening. Unless you're going for a children's movie, leave the infants and small kids at home with the babysitter. Same goes for nice restaurants later in the evening. No one wants to try and have a conversation over a bottle of wine with a screaming infant at the next table. That's why many people get a babysitter and go out, to get away from the kids.

[Rockmama]

Originally Posted by neil0311

I wouldn't sweat it. You have to shop. Shopping isn't necessarily a quiet endeavor and people need to have proper expectations. Most people have kids or understand what it means to have kids. Kids are people too.

No worries, I was being sarcastic. It was a response to the previous poster, who said keep your babies/kids quiet. Yeah, I'm with you all... I need a night out once in a while, and unless I've gone to Applebee's for date night, I'd prefer a scream-free evening!

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by Rockmama

No worries, I was being sarcastic. It was a response to the previous poster, who said keep your babies/kids quiet. Yeah, I'm with you all... I need a night out once in a while, and unless I've gone to Applebee's for date night, I'd prefer a scream-free evening!

Gotcha...my fault...missed the sarcasm.