[conservative cat]

Part of the problem is that you can't spank your kids in public. This was almost 30 years ago and in the South, but my brother (usually pretty well behaved) had a monster tantrum at a local Sears. Dad hauled him out to the parking lot for a good spanking (we were spanked, not ever beaten or abused) and a woman walked up to him threatening to call the cops.

[Billthedrill]

In a word, says Frost, retaliate. Stand next to a store-screamer and scream at the top of your lungs. Trip the kid who keeps bumping into you "accidentally."

Yeah, try that and say hello to the district attorney, especially if you're a single male. I would not recommend acting more childish than the child - it's their world when you do that and the rules are such that they always win.

The problem is, of course, the parents. One seldom encounters this sort of thing in Japan because not only do one's own parents have the right to make you stop, so do other adults. In the United States (and other Western countries) little Billy or Susy is always right and the notion of a strange adult attempting to correct the little darling's feats of free expression is a one-way ticket to a lawsuit or a threat of a punch in the nose. I have a great deal of sympathy for Ms Frost here, frankly, but the kids wouldn't be that way if the parents didn't put up with it.

[Hoodlum91]

I love kids! I'd like to have a bunch.

That said, most nowadays a monsters. Not too long ago, the ill-behaved child was the one that stood out. Now, it's the well-behaved ones that do.

[lawgirl]

Poop in the middle of Pizza Hut?? What kind of kids monsters are these?

[tallhappy]

"I am reproductive free".

[Not A Snowbird]

My mother knew she could take all five of us out to a fancy restaurant and we would sit quietly with our hands in our laps.

We knew without a doubt she'd kick the snot out of us if we dared embarrass her in public.

[tallhappy]

This article has problems because it doesn't know if it a serious article or a comdey article.

It's quite mixed-up and to the extent that the reproductive free Miss Frost is serious, she's got some serious issues.

[JoeBob]

Of all the solutions she proposes there is absolutely no mention of punishment. A good slap on the a** never hurt a child that I know of. Or 15 minutes in the corner.

[Bear_Slayer]

I like kids.

Fried with onions.

I got a few of my own. I love them, but I'm looking forward to them leaving the nest. Or me leaving the nest, whatever it takes.

[XR7]

The rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
-- Proverbs 29:15

[colorado tanker]

There are a lot of undisciplined kids out there, mainly IMHO because too many well-meaning parents have swallowed the P.C. crapola that they not discipline their kids and under no circumstances, ever spank them.

OTOH, why do adults like this expect kids to behave the way they did in the 19th Century when the adults don't? Example: kicking over someone else's baby stroller. Kids imitate adults and will act just as boorish as their elders.

[Melas]

Trip the kid who keeps bumping into you "accidentally

I would in all liklihood deal with that without violence. My wife, who's no little woman at 6' would on the other hand would have beaten Frost to a bloody pulp had she tripped one of our children in her presence. Frost had best perhaps rethink some of her outward displays of her pathological hatred.

[Bella_Bru]

It's not the kids that are the problem, it's their stupid parents who cannot be bothered to teach them how to properly behave in public.

[jordan8]

In fact, the author and comedian would be just as happy if you took every little bugger and muzzled him . . . she's the author of the new book

I remember her last two books, Will Somebody Please Notice Me Before I Have To Get A Day Job? and Where's My Career?

[Junior]

Speak up, gently, but firmly:

Back in the 60s and 70s my parents tried this, and it worked. Gently but firmly, they'd say things like "If you keep this up I'm going to blister your ass when we get home."

[Obadiah]

Well, let's be honest here. It is generally NOT a child's fault if they are misbehaving. Generally it is the parent's fault. I've actually seen parents taking little tykes out who are having a tantrum, but from observing their behavior and their conversation it is patently obvious the kid is exhausted, but must be dragged to yet one more event.

Now occasionally a kid will act out, and it's the job of the parent to remedy this immediately - it is not cute behavior. But most often a child is only acting in a manner consistent with their upbringing.

My kids are far from perfect, but at ages 8, 7, and 5 we often take them out to restaurants and on many occasions we have had people come over to us with a semi- astonished expression and comment on how well behaved our children are. Afterward, my wife and I sort of look at each other with a kind of puzzled look, like, "What? This is how we expect our children to act."

[HungarianGypsy]

Then there are people who freak out just because they see a child, even when the child is perfectly quiet. Those are the people I despise.

[TexanToTheCore]

This chick (in the article) is not fit to mate. It works like that.

[grellis]

You know what I hate?

Let's start with the ubiquitous cell phone. I hate having to wait to take someone's order because they are on their phone, reliving what a great time they just had clubbing, all the while knowing that the person doing the talking is going to bitch and moan that their food took so long in coming.

I hate women who wear uber-low cut blouses--so low that their bazumbas are one thread away from revealing all. Ditto short-shorts and low riders.

I hate when adults give no thought to the level of their voice when in public, especially when every other sentence begins with "F***", details a sexual escapade, or covers any other topic that a normal person wouldn't discuss with their mom. If it's not good enough for mom, why inflict it on the rest of the world?

I could go on--believe me, I could!--but one of my snotty little brats is requiring my attention.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Brats don't raise themselves! ;)