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I'm a dad, and I love my kids. But I have to say, there's a new breed of parent that does seem to believe their kids belong everywhere. They're sort of like the annoying people who think their dogs belong everywhere, too. I've worked hard to teach my kids manners and self-control. But they don't belong everywhere I go or want to go. I want some adult-only zones myself. I don't like the idea of any place (bars and such excepted) being designated kid-free, but some folks are pushing it to this because they can't/won't control their kids, and can't see how anyone else would mind. Some of these parents obviously need to get a clue, or a dressing down. But in today's "we deserve everything" culture, I guess it's too much to ask some parents to accept certain temporary limitations.
I love my kids with all my heart, but I really don't care to indulge yours when I'm not with mine. I'd also like to say that even more, I wish people would leave their damn dogs at home. The indulgent parents who take their kids everywhere are less annoying than those who take their substitute children, sorry, dogs, everywhere, like the bar, or a gallery opening, or the office. Reality check: Pets are not equivalent to human children. I don't take my kids everywhere all the time, and I take my dog even fewer places: the park, in the car, walks in the neighborhood. But I do let her (the dog) stick her head out the car window. Want to be a parent? Procreate, experience all the joy, fear, hassles, pride, exhaustion, expense, and love, and you'll see the difference between kids and dogs. Apart from the poop thing.
