I’d like to think I’m a responsible parent. My kids get scolded when they move around too much on restaurant benches or get out of their seats. I don’t take them to R-rated movies and even at G-rated ones, I try and make sure they don’t talk during the show. I tell them they need to say their pleases and thank yous and to hold the doors open for people that are going through a door right behind them. I do what I can to make sure they grow up to be polite, responsible adults.

That being said, they’re not perfect. If I have a behavior contest with them to see who can behave the best the longest, I’m going to win that competition eleven times out of ten. I mean, they are kids after all. Still, I never see it as my responsibility to leave them at home to make sure someone else’s night at a venue is peaceful or magical. More often than not, I don’t choose to pay someone $12+/hr to watch my kids when I go out. Not only is it cheaper to bring them with us when we go out, I actually love my kids and want to be with them and to spend time with them where ever that might be.

Sure, it annoys me as much as anyone else when there are kids running rampant while their parents are glued to their cell phones. Or when there are little kids talking during a movie making it difficult to hear. But it also bugs me when adults not only have their cell phones ring during that same movie or worse yet choose to answer the phone during the show. Or when adults choose to use profanity or discuss lewd topics in crowded spaces. Or when they’ve had just enough to drink and are being a little too loud and obnoxious to the people around them.

Yes, there are inconsiderate people everywhere - fully grown adults and kids of all different ages and sizes. When one goes out to a public place, he/she is unfortunately going to have to deal with... the public! Maybe it’s the folks that can’t handle that who should be the ones staying at home.

