Parents...

[blissfish]

What is the correct or approved protocol when a child is misbehaving in public without supervision?  For future reference?  I've asked that they not jump on and off of the furniture (which is right next to a very fragile, very heavy table) three times.  Do I just seek the parents out and ask them to keep them off of the furniture?

There's no way out of this without pissing someone off, is there?

Comments

[freyapax.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately if a parent is paying little enough attention to not notice that you are having to control their kids, then no, there probably is no way to handle it that won't piss someone off. That said, if after a time or two of being told the kids are not behaving, I'd make a beeline for the parents and let them know the kids need to behave or go someplace better prepared for them.

[nobodobodon.livejournal.com]

I'm not afraid to use verbal discipline on other people's kids. I won't touch them, but I will take an firm tone and posture, sometimes even displaying anger in my voice - but always under control.

Usually, the other parents are either cool about it, or too embarrassed to say they have a problem with it. I always try to take a stance that I'm assisting other parents, rather than scolding them.

I did this before I had kids, too, though it's been more frequent since then.

[fulguritus.livejournal.com]

I'm in total agreement with Nobo.

Say something to the kids. If they don't listen go to the parents. It's fine to use a firm voice, you're there to make sure your store stays looking nice and not to babysit.

The customer is NOT always right. :)

[appleang.livejournal.com]

Ask nicely the first time, Tell firmly the second time, seek parents (via embarrassment-central intercom if necessary!) after that. If no parents come forward when you page them, call the police because the kids were *clearly* abandoned, right?!? ;)

Or you can just skip the first "ask nicely" part.

[peterfuhry.livejournal.com]

Definitely skip the "ask nicely" part.

[ambientsidewalk.livejournal.com]

Find the parents, tell them what the kids are doing and that if they do it again, the lot of them will be asked to leave.

As a parent, if my children are misbehaving I'll give them a couple of warnings that if they continue the behaviour we will leave, and then I follow up on that. As a result, my kids listen to me and behave appropriately because they know the consequence if they don't.

[austingoddess.livejournal.com]

Tell the kids firmly to stop, and if they don't, get the parents and tell them that they are placing themselves and the furniture in danger and it needs to stop one way or another.

[juliarandolph.livejournal.com]

After 3 times of warning the kid yourself, yell for the parents.

Yes, you will likely piss off the parents. But, not pissing off the parent probably means several other people being pissed off.

Oh, and if the kid is tired or bored, it's more the parent's fault than the kid's.

[triplemare.livejournal.com]

IAWTC (Nobo) on this.
Take a firm tone, give the stink eye and point right at them so that there is No Doubt you are talking to Those Monsters Kids Right There.

I have done this to great effect in grocery stores, where for whatever reason parents seem to let their kids zip around like so many shrill tiny Hydettes.