Parents With Little Screaming Kids

[Grand Vol]

I had an individual come in to apply today. Bought by a current employee to sign up. The potential new hire brought her child along, maybe two or three years old. And this child was being highly disruptive in the office environment. Turning off lights, tossing our supplies, applications and clipboards into the floor, screaming at the top of her lungs when the current employee, her aunt, attempted to stop her and just general mayhem overall.

It became so disruptive I couldn't even do my primary job and had to ask them to leave. To include stopping the interview right in the middle. I received a "I'll just quit and take my friend with me."

The door is to your left I reply with a nod of my head.

"She's just being a kid, nothing was broken."

Except my concentration and ability to work I reply and politely requested they leave once again. I lost an employee and a new hire today, but not for a bad cause in my opinion.

Now am I so utterly wrong to expect a parent to firstly not bring their child to a job interview and secondly not to bring their child into a professional office environment? And last, but certainly not least, to be understanding when their child is being disruptive in an environment where I've got several potential hires attempting to fill out paperwork?

I understand child care can get expensive. But if you are interviewing for a job, even a part time one like she was, the very least one can do is control said child and/or leave them with a sitter for the two hours. Or firmly apply a hand to their backside to gain compliance.

Now if I'm way off base here, let me know.

 

[Spartacavolus]

Different situation and varies greatly from a checkout line and telling that lady to go to hell.

 

[Grand Vol]

Different situation and varies greatly from a checkout line and telling that lady to go to hell.

No, I consider them linked. Both places are professional environments that children should be behaved in. And if the parents are not going to control their children, someone can and should say something about it. Now I obviously didn't reach the "go to hell" level. But had the mother and aunt persisted in not leaving, it would have gotten ugly on my part.

Either way, both places are businesses and both places have others that can, and likely will, be annoyed by disruptive children. Whether that's potential employees or customers doesn't matter. A parent not controlling their child surely does matter.

 

[Spartacavolus]

You consider a checkout line the same as a job interview in an office? Ok. I'm not going to agree with you either. That makes no sense.

 

[Grand Vol]

You consider a checkout line the same as a job interview in an office? Ok. I'm not going to agree with you either. That makes no sense.

No, I'm breaking it down to the common denominator, the disruptive child. And it doesn't matter if it's an office or a checkout line. Again, parents not keeping their children under control can and should be reprimanded by those affected.

 

[Coug]

You should have pulled a Robert Downey Jr move on the kid, Grand.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fwrh_eFMvY[/youtube]

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

believe it or not, there are a lot of single mothers that have no choice but to tote their child around, happy or unhappy, tired or rested, sick or well. Millions, actually. So adapt or possibly get whipped, I suppose.

Don't even get me started on single baby mommas...

They made that choice on their own.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Different situation and varies greatly from a checkout line and telling that lady to go to hell.

I agree with Sparty here. No reason to bring your kid to a job interview, but bringing your kid to the store is a common thing. Completely different environments and situations.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

No, I'm breaking it down to the common denominator, the disruptive child. And it doesn't matter if it's an office or a checkout line. Again, parents not keeping their children under control can and should be reprimanded by those affected.

Again, two different situations, in which you had control in one, and none in the other. You had every right as a business owner to tell the interviewee to leave, but if you say something to a random stranger about shutting their kid up with no authority in the situation, and then get jacked up because of it, don't go blaming the other person because they got agitated about it.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

I had an individual come in to apply today. Bought by a current employee to sign up. The potential new hire brought her child along, maybe two or three years old. And this child was being highly disruptive in the office environment. Turning off lights, tossing our supplies, applications and clipboards into the floor, screaming at the top of her lungs when the current employee, her aunt, attempted to stop her and just general mayhem overall.

It became so disruptive I couldn't even do my primary job and had to ask them to leave. To include stopping the interview right in the middle. I received a "I'll just quit and take my friend with me."

The door is to your left I reply with a nod of my head.

"She's just being a kid, nothing was broken."

Except my concentration and ability to work I reply and politely requested they leave once again. I lost an employee and a new hire today, but not for a bad cause in my opinion.

Now am I so utterly wrong to expect a parent to firstly not bring their child to a job interview and secondly not to bring their child into a professional office environment? And last, but certainly not least, to be understanding when their child is being disruptive in an environment where I've got several potential hires attempting to fill out paperwork?

I understand child care can get expensive. But if you are interviewing for a job, even a part time one like she was, the very least one can do is control said child and/or leave them with a sitter for the two hours. Or firmly apply a hand to their backside to gain compliance.

Now if I'm way off base here, let me know.

I wouldn't have even started the job interview process, if someone brought their kid in. If someone does that, there are probably bigger problems underneath, and that should be a good indicator this person has some issues following her.

 

[Grand Vol]

Again, two different situations, in which you had control in one, and none in the other. You had every right as a business owner to tell the interviewee to leave, but if you say something to a random stranger about shutting their kid up with no authority in the situation, and then get jacked up because of it, don't go blaming the other person because they got agitated about it.

I have done it before in public as well. The main difference is the woman in the check out line is a bully. Plain and simple. She picked a weak target to attack after she spoke her mind.

Change the paradigm to a woman of equal size or a man saying the same thing and I can flat guarantee you the attacker would have been on her merry way.

 

[YorkVol]

Well obviously, none of us will know how loud the kid was. But we all can imagine a situation where a kid is loud and disruptive enough that it does become our business when it affects other people around them.

When that happens,I use magic tricks. Kids get quiet when I pull pennies out of their ears.

 

[YorkVol]

I had an individual come in to apply today. Bought by a current employee to sign up. The potential new hire brought her child along, maybe two or three years old. And this child was being highly disruptive in the office environment. Turning off lights, tossing our supplies, applications and clipboards into the floor, screaming at the top of her lungs when the current employee, her aunt, attempted to stop her and just general mayhem overall.

It became so disruptive I couldn't even do my primary job and had to ask them to leave. To include stopping the interview right in the middle. I received a "I'll just quit and take my friend with me."

The door is to your left I reply with a nod of my head.

"She's just being a kid, nothing was broken."

Except my concentration and ability to work I reply and politely requested they leave once again. I lost an employee and a new hire today, but not for a bad cause in my opinion.

Now am I so utterly wrong to expect a parent to firstly not bring their child to a job interview and secondly not to bring their child into a professional office environment? And last, but certainly not least, to be understanding when their child is being disruptive in an environment where I've got several potential hires attempting to fill out paperwork?

I understand child care can get expensive. But if you are interviewing for a job, even a part time one like she was, the very least one can do is control said child and/or leave them with a sitter for the two hours. Or firmly apply a hand to their backside to gain compliance.

Now if I'm way off base here, let me know.

No, you were right. At the very least the friend who brought her to the interview should have taken the kid outside so the interview could proceed without interruption. Since she didn't even think about that it seems likely she wasn't your best employee.

 

[Grand Vol]

No, you were right. At the very least the friend who brought her to the interview should have taken the kid outside so the interview could proceed without interruption. Since she didn't even think about that it seems likely she wasn't your best employee.

You work in the same line I do. And know how hard it is to attract semi-decent employees anyway lol

 

[YorkVol]

You work in the same line I do. And know how hard it is to attract semi-decent employees anyway lol

Yeah,I sometimes worry their great grand kids might be disruptive...

 

[Obsessed]

Why didn't the aunt keep the kid in the car during the interview process? Problem solved.

You did good grand, obviously neither of them were smart enough for the positions offered.

 

[Cdywolfe]

I feel like even if the kid was well behaved, it would be a huge red flag for me. If she can't find child care so she can interview, is she gonna be able to find it so she can work?

It sucks because I totally sympathize with her but at the same time if I'm running a business I can't have an employee who regularly misses work due to child care issues.

 

[hog88]

You work in the same line I do. And know how hard it is to attract semi-decent employees anyway lol

It's hard to attract semi-decent employees period. You did the right thing, probably handled it better than I would have. As soon as I saw that she brought her kid with her she would have no longer been a candidate.

 

[Chuckie]

Although those of you who feel entitled to tell others how to control their children probably won't understand or appreciate this, I will offer my thoughts on controlling/disciplining a child.

Many of you with more than one child know that each one is different. I have a 10 year-old daughter and a 4 year-old son. With my daughter, anytime she was testing her boundaries, a single-swat spanking would put her on the right track for a good, long while (like, for a month or two).

However, my son was born 6-weeks premature, has been diagnosed with various anxiety and hyperactivity disorders, and is just barely on this side of mild autism. When he is ready to test his boundaries, there is no amount of physical discipline that would correct his behavior (and, if I tried it in a checkout line, I'd have people griping at me for "abusing" my child). It just doesn't work. There have been a few times where I've had him with me, needed to stop at the local grocery store, and he has flat out lost it. No one has ever said anything to me, but I've gotten plenty of the looks you all have talked about. The thing is, as others have pointed out, I want him to stop just as much (more, actually) than you. There is literally nothing I can do at that point except to leave the situation.

Now, I'm not saying that the child in this incident has the same issues as my son. But, when I encounter an unruly child now, my wife and I exchange a knowing glance at each other and feel a measure of sympathy for the parent.

So, you all can now feel free to let me know that I'm just too soft, don't know how to parent my child, or that he just needs a swift "kick in the ass". Hopefully, though, this is able to enlighten some of you.

 

[hog88]

Although those of you who feel entitled to tell others how to control their children probably won't understand or appreciate this, I will offer my thoughts on controlling/disciplining a child.

Many of you with more than one child know that each one is different. I have a 10 year-old daughter and a 4 year-old son. With my daughter, anytime she was testing her boundaries, a single-swat spanking would put her on the right track for a good, long while (like, for a month or two).

However, my son was born 6-weeks premature, has been diagnosed with various anxiety and hyperactivity disorders, and is just barely on this side of mild autism. When he is ready to test his boundaries, there is no amount of physical discipline that would correct his behavior (and, if I tried it in a checkout line, I'd have people griping at me for "abusing" my child). It just doesn't work. There have been a few times where I've had him with me, needed to stop at the local grocery store, and he has flat out lost it. No one has ever said anything to me, but I've gotten plenty of the looks you all have talked about. The thing is, as others have pointed out, I want him to stop just as much (more, actually) than you. There is literally nothing I can do at that point except to leave the situation.

Now, I'm not saying that the child in this incident has the same issues as my son. But, when I encounter an unruly child now, my wife and I exchange a knowing glance at each other and feel a measure of sympathy for the parent.

So, you all can now feel free to let me know that I'm just too soft, don't know how to parent my child, or that he just needs a swift "kick in the ass". Hopefully, though, this is able to enlighten some of you.

I think every parent understands a kid acting up here and there, a short time at the checkout line isn't an issue with me. It's the prolonged instances at a restaurant, movie theater and the such that is my issue.

 

[Obsessed]

I think every parent understands a kid acting up here and there, a short time at the checkout line isn't an issue with me. It's the prolonged instances at a restaurant, movie theater and the such that is my issue.

This...

I understand it... I've got kids. I guess I was lucky. Both mine act like they are supposed to act. Mind their manners and pay attention.

My peeve with it is much like the rest of yours I'm sure, the parents actions. ( or lack there of)

Is the child in this situation a special needs child maybe? Maybe that is why the mother lashed out violently so quickly.

 

[Spartacavolus]

Although those of you who feel entitled to tell others how to control their children probably won't understand or appreciate this, I will offer my thoughts on controlling/disciplining a child.

Many of you with more than one child know that each one is different. I have a 10 year-old daughter and a 4 year-old son. With my daughter, anytime she was testing her boundaries, a single-swat spanking would put her on the right track for a good, long while (like, for a month or two).

However, my son was born 6-weeks premature, has been diagnosed with various anxiety and hyperactivity disorders, and is just barely on this side of mild autism. When he is ready to test his boundaries, there is no amount of physical discipline that would correct his behavior (and, if I tried it in a checkout line, I'd have people griping at me for "abusing" my child). It just doesn't work. There have been a few times where I've had him with me, needed to stop at the local grocery store, and he has flat out lost it. No one has ever said anything to me, but I've gotten plenty of the looks you all have talked about. The thing is, as others have pointed out, I want him to stop just as much (more, actually) than you. There is literally nothing I can do at that point except to leave the situation.

Now, I'm not saying that the child in this incident has the same issues as my son. But, when I encounter an unruly child now, my wife and I exchange a knowing glance at each other and feel a measure of sympathy for the parent.

So, you all can now feel free to let me know that I'm just too soft, don't know how to parent my child, or that he just needs a swift "kick in the ass". Hopefully, though, this is able to enlighten some of you.

I have an autistic son as well, but he doesn't have meltdowns or anything. Quite the opposite, as he is very quiet and shy. That said, there are other battles, so good luck and God bless to you.
Posters here evidently suggest you don't bring your son anywhere and leave him at home. Never listen to that **** and tell them to shut the **** up.

 

[YorkVol]

I think every parent understands a kid acting up here and there, a short time at the checkout line isn't an issue with me. It's the prolonged instances at a restaurant, movie theater and the such that is my issue.

You have to be willing to walk out. If you are fool enough to take your kids to a nice restaurant and they start acting up, you need to leave. And when the kids ask why you are leaving before they get their dessert, tell them "because you can't behave in public."

Movies? Don't take your young kids to a movie that is mostly an adult audience. Take your kids to kids movies and matinees.

Grocery store? Feed your kid before you go and don't take forever in the store. Put some treats in the cart and if they start acting up, start taking them out. They'll get the message.

Going to the mall? You are an idiot if you take a bunch of small kids to the mall. But, if you do, better to park as far away as possible and make them walk into the store. That way they'll be tired and want to sleep in the stroller. And, by God, don't give them a bunch of candy or chips to keep them occupied. They'll only get a sugar rush and then be even worse when they crash.

Yeah, I know I said I would give a lollipop to a kid who was freaking out in the check out line. I would. That is someone else's kid and I'm just trying to keep them quiet for a few minutes. What happens when they get in the car or at home is on the parent who couldn't make it out of the store before the behavioral expiration date was up.

On the other hand, if you get annoyed when some kid acts up in McDonalds or the Dollar General Store, then you need to look at yourself and maybe seek counseling for stress.

 

[Grand Vol]

On the other hand, if you get annoyed when some kid acts up in McDonalds or the Dollar General Store, then you need to look at yourself and maybe seek counseling for stress.

Glass optional.

 

[YorkVol]

Glass optional.

Ice? Only men with vaginas use ice in whiskey.