Parental Control

I don't mind kids - no, really, i don't. Provided that they do what they're told, i don't mind them having a bit of fun or messing about - so long as they calm it down when asked, or know that there are limits. What really drives me up the wall is when the kids are going crazy and being disruptive - with the parent(s) sat there either oblivious or, as is usually the case, not caring what the hell is going on. Generally, the kids i have come across over here have been in the former category - although my landlord's son can annoy me somewhat (mainly cause he walks very heavily and it echoes off of my ceiling) but for some reason, the good weather seems to bring out some of the latter category and it seems that they're destined to cross the path.

Exhibit A: Whilst in my local coffee shop recently, i had difficulty trying to concentrate on the papers i was reading owing to two young (c. 4 and 6) girls who were running around, moving furniture, screaming and generally being obnoxious. The mother was sat a couple of tables away and didn't do a thing - until they ran into a table and spilt another customer's coffee. Even then, it wasn't too worthy of her attention as she didn't even get up.

Exhibit B: Whilst at the laundrette, this past Monday, i watched as a young boy (about 4 or 5) ran amok with one of the trolleys. His mother (and her friends) merrily carried on with their washing, not even budging as he ran into other trolleys, washing machines or furniture. She only told him to stop it when he ran into another customer - and then did nothing as off he went again. Things finally ended when he was running towards me with it - and i stuck my hand out to stop it. Only then did she see my very unimpressed look and took him off to sit next to her (where he screamed for a few minutes).

Exhibit C: In the local library - a place where silence is supposed to be golden, yet on a number of visits to return books or loan DVD, there have been a kids making general nuisances of themselves (and noise) whilst the parents stand a few feet away apparently oblivious - maybe they're just hard of hearing after years of screaming. Or its the general American hard-of-hearing-ness.

The prosection rests...