I had to walk out of the library the other day. I was wearing noise canceling headphones and listening to music at a normal volume and yet a mom with three kids drove me out due to the fact they were running around and yelling like it was their house.
I travel and this is the new normal at libraries throughout the U.S. Many libraries now have an open area children’s section where the kids can play on the floor and be as loud as they want.
I do use study rooms at the library but not all libraries have them and a closed glass door does not block all the noise from a screaming baby/toddler.
Libraries are a shared space and in the past used to be quiet. Now in the effort to be inclusive to everyone they don’t enforce any noise rules because they want those moms and their screaming kids to come visit the library.
And of course, you cannot complain to anyone about this because if you do so you are a Karen and no one will care and then they’ll tell you “if you don’t like it you can leave” This is society now…everyone does what they want with no regard for others.
Yeah, but I think part of the issue where this is common now and not before is that children were allowed to be a lot more feral back in the day. There is an expectation that children should be watched by a parent at all times, and that is causing kids to build up a lot of pent up energy they can’t release.
I mean I think it can be both. Parents are tired, but they also aren’t parenting and disciplining as much. Actions don’t have consequences as much anymore. Look at the amount of teachers who have left because kids aren’t being parented at home and they aren’t getting any support for help from the administration or parents. I don’t know what changed when but as a parent I’m tired yes but that’s not an excuse. if my kid is acting up we are taking him outside.
Yeah, because if you do more than speak sternly at a kid nowadays, you get child services called on you.
I would agree. In my mind, let’s think from the parents perspective. Kids are pent up and need to get out. Why not… Go to a park or a playground and run around for an hour? Play games at home if the weather is terrible? If you’re trying to encourage reading then have them burn off that energy first and then go read.
Unstructured time was crucial to my upbringing and I don’t know why parents are so afraid to let their kids run around a park when they are wound up.
Probably because they are afraid people are going to call the cops on them.
Is this a thing? Why?
The presence of unwatched children in some parts of the US has gone from a common occurrence to a novelty that indicates bad parenting.
They don’t have to be unwatched just because they’re at the park.