Toddlers on commuter trains...

[tk2kewl]

On a 50 minute train ride, how many minutes should a toddler be permitted to express his excitement at taking his first train ride with shrill screams?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. Those "shrill screams" are like medicine to me. I love them.

Pure joy, released into the air. It's the auditive equivalent of a sudden, unexpected smell of flowers from someone's yard while you're walking to the grocery store.

[tk2kewl]

In the proper setting I agree...

But on the train I like to read the paper and nap. :(

[hotforteacher]

2. I want you to be my new best friend.

:toast:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. Get in line. (Modest, ain't I?) -nt

[madinmaryland]

3. I am assuming this happened to you this morning?

It's normally not a problem in the morning (I took an early train), but in the evening it can get really annoying.

:popcorn:

[tk2kewl]

4. Yes... It was a bit annoying. I don't mind a little excitment...

but it was non-stop. x(

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. As long as it takes a person to place a pair of earplugs in their

ears I imagine. This being a free country, the child being happy and a bit too young to realize the discomfort he may be causing people who are sensitive to any noises except those that they themselves make. :hi:

[billyskank]

16. Why do you always take that view?

Of course the child isn't at fault. But I'm sure you proscribe limits on your children's behaviour. We don't let them run free and bother everybody.

Question: how often do you have earplugs on your person? I don't, ever. Making loud noise is a subtle form of assault on a person, it isn't a matter of individual liberty. As they say, your freedom to swing your fist ends at my nose. Similarly, your freedom to make lots of noise ends at my ears.

I wasn't present on the train in question, and neither were you. It is possible the poster is too intolerant. It is also possible that the child was behaving badly and should have been restrained. Why not recognise that both possibilities exist, rather than making a snarky comment every time this subject arises?

[ScreamingMeemie]

18. I guess, because it is not often that the noises that people make

in the outside world bother me. If a loud noise is going on inside my home I am in control of it. If I'm out in public, I can't. toddler is not as in control of his emotions (and these were apparently happy emotions) as I, an adult am. I can't control everything and I can admit that I am as guilty (I am sure) of being irritating to others in public at times. MrG works in a machine shop, next to an air compressor, so it is often that I have a pair of his earplugs on me. I don't need them but I I had trouble with noises or things bothered me (like MrG's snoring at night in a hotel room) I would.

It hurts me, I'll be honest, that you consider me to be snarky because my opinion differs from yours on this matter.

[billyskank]

25. You said "this being a free country..."

that was snarky - it has nothing to do with the discussion. I have seen your responses in similar threads and they consistently assume intolerance and only fault the complainant. It seems that this is a "this is my opinion and that's your opinion" situation and I am very sorry about that.

[ScreamingMeemie]

28. But, I'm not telling him to change his opinion. I just disagree with it

"This being a free country" means that we can behave (as long as it's legal) as badly as we wish. It's not meant to be snarky, only truthful.

[MorningGlow]

7. As the mother of a toddler

I say let the kid squeal--once or twice. After all, it is a new experience, and they're allowed to be excited. If they keep it up, however, then it's time to bring out the ol' the reminder that they're not the only person on the planet, and the other folks around them really don't want to have their eardrums shattered.

Toddlers are old enough to understand--in fact, MorningGlow Jr., after his first ubiquitous "Why?", will turn it into a game and see how well he can whisper. And then he gets bored and plays with his toy cars. (Hard and fast rule: ALWAYS have something for the kid to play with when spending an inordinate amount of time in public--restaurants, waiting rooms, etc. Matchbox car: $1.49. Kid fairly quiet: Priceless.)

And it teaches the kids how to be aware of other people--not a bad thing to learn early.

[madinmaryland]

9. Good point.

Have toys and food for the children. Keeps them entertained and happy.

[tk2kewl]

10. Hear, hear!

:toast:

[grace0418]

29. Amen to that!

Too many kids are allowed far too much leeway because "they're just kids not in control of their behaviors yet." Yeah, of course they're not in control. That's why they have parents. I like your philosophy.

[MorningGlow]

31. Thanks, Grace!

:hi:

It's not rocket science, really--that's why kids have parents (or insert the caregivers of your choice here)--to teach them how to be social and polite and, well, not maniacal heathens. If the caregivers don't do it, who will? Leave it to the teachers? As a former teacher, I say, aw HELL no! :)

[MissMillie]

8. I know, let's tie the kid up, bound and gagged

Toddlers will be toddlers. And there isn't a toddler in the world that will ALWAYS do what they're told. Toddlers are always testing their limits with their parents. Its how they learn what their parents will and won't tolerate.

You can have a parent getting after the toddler on the train, but if the toddler decides he wants to test his/her limits, that's likely to be a ruckus that will be just as distracting as the original behavior.

[tk2kewl]

11. There was not a single reprimand

[BigMcLargehuge]

12. Is it that time of the month already? (pops open iCal)

Oh look, I forgot to adjust my reminder for "Overwrought Tales of Obnoxious Children Who Infringe on my Freedom Day"... It's today, I had it scheduled for the 14th.

The train touch is nice, though, it breaks rotation. October should have been "movie theaters". For synchronicity's sake here are dates/situation to bring us to the end of the year -

November 12th - "Supermarket"
December 21st - "Clothing Store while Christmas Shopping"

Please adjust your calendars.

:eyes:

[greatauntoftriplets]

13. ......

:rofl:

[miss_american_pie]

14. ...

:applause:

[Gormy Cuss]

15. ~

:toast:

[RetroLounge]

24. ...

:thumbsup:

RL

[Dora]

26. This kills me!

I'm off to update my calendar now.

[Pithlet]

27. Hee!

:rofl:

[philosophie_en_rose]

17. The kid should be able to express his happiness, but not disturb others.

I don't think it's an either/ or situation.

[Roon]

19. My nephew loves to ride the bus

and he babbles and carrys on during the whole trip. He doesn't scream though.

[rug]

20. If it's the LIRR, as long as he damn well wants.

[tk2kewl]

21. LOL... as opposed to what? NJ Transit? Express Bus?

[RetroLounge]

22. Take him to the Olive Garden Car for Breastfeeding...

:thumbsup:

RL

[BigMcLargehuge]

30. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!

[NashVegas]

23. He'll Never Have Another First Train Ride Again, Ever.

I says, 'squeal away, kid.'

Ideally it would be best if Mom or Dad found a way to quiet him down without stomping on his pleasure. But if no one's up to it ...

[Radical Activist]

32. I think we should round up the families with small children

and make them live in confined areas, with their own restaurants and public transportation so that their bratty kids won't be around to bother the rest of us. :)

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

33. How many spelling mistakes should one poster get? n/t

[maxsolomon]

34. ACCEPTABLE, and QUIET

a good poll ruined by typos.