Should children be seen and not heard?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

This question got inspired by @MzAsh question Anyone else annoyed with noisy children and distracted parents at family gatherings? .

I got raised on this maxim and more or less I'm proud that I was quiet kid, although I got in discussion recently with my mother and my aunt because now they've done a full 180 and say that they wanted me to talk more and that they never teached me that.

Honestly, I appreciate quiet kids - my friend's boy is always quiet and she teached him to be when adults talk. While I had to reprimand my half brother, who's basically a son to me, because he speaks out of turn and inappropriately especially in front of other people.

[Kori1236]

Kids are kids. I personally don’t like kids except the ones in my immediate family (the ones I have to love lol) but I don’t care if kids are rambunctious especially at family gatherings; for a lot of kids they finally get to catch up with their cousins and likely don’t see them often. But I personally was a quiet child, I played with others but wasn’t one to scream and shout when playing. I was actually the one to sit quietly by myself over interactions with my cousins. Out in public however seen not heard have respect for the other people shopping and control your sperm pet

[MzAsh]

If kids are going to be rambunctious at holiday dinner, they can go outside or in their bedrooms and play. It’s partially me because I’ll admit, I’m not a kid person. But In the same breath, I don’t believe kids need to be the center of attention when adults are trying to catch up after not seeing each other all year. I see too many parents over-engaging in their kids nonsense and they too are talking loudly. We were always told to go outside and play and that was good for everyone.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

The most ironic thing I've seen about certain parents that over engage their children in public is that they actually ignore them in private.

[MzAsh]

I can see that.

[Jamie05rhs]

@Sun_Kim-Ai Very good point.

[Jamie05rhs]

"although I got in discussion recently with my mother and my aunt because now they've done a full 180 and say that they wanted me to talk more and that they never teached me that."
I think they're full of bologna.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Seems they agree with each other only when they want to make fun of me.

[Jamie05rhs]

@Sun_Kim-Ai. Yeah; some women are like that.

[Jamie05rhs]

Thanks for the MHO.

[OlderAndWiser]

Childhood is a time for little people to learn - gradually - how to act like adults. I don't see how making children be silent teaches them much.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Not completely silent but they shouldn't talk over adults

[OlderAndWiser]

Right. And they don't learn those manners by remaining silent.

[OlderAndWiser]

Thanks for MHO!

[TrueConfection]

I love children. They are learning and is important to teach them manners which include social skills. Their "noise" is music to my ears. Little voices telling jokes, asking questions, and laughter. What a terrible world it would be without the sounds of children.

[MendaciousMarxist]

Yes! Thats the one thing my baby daddy would do right. My ex would slap my son whenever he was disrespectful and spoke without being spoken too.

[Agape93]

Whilst I enjoy kids that are quiet, I don't think they should be silenced. I was silenced a lot and it sucks.

[dustybiker]

Kids need direction and follow-through consequences for actions. Only then are they not embarrassing to take anywhere.

[NathanDavis]

I will never ever see children as "things" not treat them as such

[Andres77]

There’s always “appropriate”

[Andres77]

They don’t have to be silent but they’d better respect their parent’s wishes.
Go make noise outside so the adults can converse in peace: