General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Adults that spoil kids aggravate me [View all]LeftishBrit
(41,205 posts)parents who include their kids a lot in social arrangements and adult activities, and parents who let their kids get away with murder. The two are not the same.
I have no children myself, but I enjoy being around the children of my friends and relatives. I do find them interesting to be with (often more so than adults!) and am happy to be in their company. They do not need to be 'special' or 'fascinating' to be refreshing and enjoyable companions; all children are special IMO.
Allowing children to mess up and break other people's property, run through shops without consideration for others, and otherwise misbehave is another matter, and is not doing anyone a favour, least of all the kids.
In my experience, the WORST behaved kids I've encountered have tended to be those who are not included much in family and social activities and given an implicit message by their parents of 'Do what you like so long as you don't bother ME!'
I should add that yesterday was Christmas, which is for many families basically 'Children's Day', and I would not really think it reasonable to expect to spend a child-free day with a parent on that particular day.