Fred:
That's great you are able to get a baby-sitter. I hate grocery shopping, and I go once a week for 30 mins with all 3 kids after their tummies are full, the store isn't busy (right after breakfast). I doubt I've encountered any of you since the store is usually empty and my kids are generally well-behaved.
I've been experiencing military life for 8 years, married 5 and some, and have 3 kids - so I'm not GREEN, but I definately don't have tons of experience. I'm not trying to fight and say that kids should be welcomed at adult functions. What I saying is that for those that do not have good judgement to leave kids home when they would need to sit still/be quiet for any amount of time/there will be drinking - maybe some people on here should learn some tolerance. Yes, it is inconsiderate...but it will happen, and we don't we ALL need to have thick skin, a sense of humor and tolerance as so many have eluded too?
I also don't think that having a husband or wife with a "high" rank should allow for irresponsible parenting. I do take issue with the ridiculousness I've witnessed and experienced over the years. The commissary for example
An enlisted dependant goes in with her young kids and there are daggers pointed in her direction. An officer dependant, "Let me hold the door for you ma'am"... I've been on both sides. It makes me mad. We as dependants do NOT hold rank. That being said, why is there such a difference? I got my college degree well before my husband earned his - nothing has changed, but now my ID has an O-rank rather than an E-rank and my car has a blue sticker. R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S.
p3wife:
I think you said it perfectly. Most Moms when they have their kids with them are in "Mommy Mode". I can NOT imagine any Mom truly wanting to bring their children with them to any function. Maybe as a wife w/experience it is up to us to suggest childcare for the next occassion? I've seen one strange situation in 8 years. I saw a child brought into a Marine Ball that I thought was inappropriate. The parents did not have a sitter, they sat in the corner, and he was strapped in a stroller. When he began to make noises, his parents left. Life happens. Give them dirty looks? How will that help? Suggest a baby-sitter to a stranger? If I knew them, I would have...I just dealt with it. I felt they handled the situation they put themselves in well.
I agree tolerance and sense of humor do get you through military life. I don't do the smackdown, unless you consider this is smackdown. I hardly think that this would be considered such.
"Thick skin...sense of humor"...I personally find it hard to find one if someone types: "I know YOU think they're special. I'm just here to tell you: They're NOT." That courtesy of OttoWrote8. I do give him the benefit of the doubt as he's probably hating life at WP with the zillion of kids running around. We lived there - and yes, some of the kids drove me bonkers there. I'll just assume that he has had some rough times at WP. I do realize most likely he's single, young and as he admits life is about him. That's where he is in life. Hopefully he'll grow.
smittyrunr: Yes, I do agree. I do wish that some parents had better judgement, but honestly, what can you do? Are you going to go up and tell them, "Your kid isn't allowed to be here?" Avoid the kids, get extremely drunk, or leave, you do have a choice. If you are able to force people to do what you want - you'll rule the world!
OttoWrote8: You're right. Responsiblity is key. What good is it to be rude and mean? You don't like kids, that's fine. I see you're living at WP. Good thing you weren't our neighbor. We lived on a street filled with kids - 16 - all under the age of 10. Student's, IP's and the XO's...Hope you were put in the "singles area". All the best. As you continue throughout your career, there will be more and more kids - especially if you happen to live in base housing.
MasterBates: "Big Boys Club" This is the SPOUSES corner. It is NOT the private spouses corner, but it is the spouses corner. Why are the "big boys" in the spouses corner? I agree that in the PSC there have been a few comments that have been extremely helpful by men...I don't see all that many wives coming out of the woodwork to get onto threads about Naval aviation training to make suggestions...Hmm.
"Where in here does it state "must deal with out of control children where they should not be"." - Why must you deal with them? You can: A. Ignore them. B. Avoid them. C. Leave. If for some crazy reason you are unable to any of those, and they find you irrisistable so they are hanging around you - KEEP MOVING AWAY. If you trip over one. Oops. Both of you learned a lesson. If one runs into you...get some napkins and clean yourself and the floor up from the spilt beer. I am not saying that it's not annoying when it's inappropriate to have young children milling about - but seriously...from what I've seen, most guys are so wasted the next morning after a winging party - why worry about a random kid? Why not enjoy the band, the booze, or your friends?
No, I personally do not know of any families that allow their children to attend either winging parties, and no - I don't bring mine.
GoAV8DevilDog: My husband and I got a good laugh over your picture. Thanks. However, if you attempt to tell me that I am not apart of the military...it's true. It was my choice to get married to my husband, and it is my choice to remain with my husband... I have no contract to the government. he does. But please don't suggest you know more than I when you are 21, not yet a Marine, a junior in college, unmarried and without children. If you ever get married..your wife is committing to the Corps as well. We don't have a contract with the government, but we are in a commitment to our spouses. Just as there is cameraderie with your peers, the spouses have it with our peers as well. We are there to support our husbands/wives. If you are in a committed marriage, then YES, there is an indirect contract with the Marine Corps, as am I.
I'm sorry that you feel that I'm not entitled to remind people of creeds or prayers that were taken/have been said. Just as I said it, you're entitled to feel that I'm not allowed to bring it up.
I'm fully aware that it's "in good practice NOT to tell people what "prayers" apply to them" However, all the atheists, and non-Christians would jump all over that and someone would have a retort now wouldn't they? I was attempting to eliminate some of the fuss.
MakesVapes: I get the non-flying thing. Our last flight was to Jamaica with our kids to a FAMILY resort and it was rough the last leg returning home. We did everything in our will power to try to calm them down but they were exhausted and had no idea what was gonig on. They were both under 3. Let's just say we drive, and we aren't planning another BEACHES vacation until the youngest doesn't have to nap during the day anymore.
FMRAM: I'm glad that so many people do not want kids now, or ever! Someone who is not wanting children should NOT have them...Yes, tolerance does go both way, as does respect. As I mentioned earlier...this is the spouses corner, and some guy without kids, most likely unmarried is giving unsolicted advice about child-rearing. The thread title was: "Tips on Child-Rearing..." Something like that right?
Now all these young, (some) unmarried, childless guys feel that they know what is best for other families or parenting in general? Just as most of the spouses I know stick to what they know..maybe they should too?
The PSC is not for ranting...it's a resource for me, and to others - advice and updates on what is going on in their life. I am going to assume from your post that you don't want kids, that's great! Some people may think that there is no life after children...and you're entitled to feel that way! However, I enjoy my life as a family. When I was referring to "not knowing about military life" I meant from a SAHM's perspective. Apologies for that offense. If I were to count on my husband being here on weekly basis so I could go grocery shopping by myself - jeez louise I'd do it! Maybe some military families have it great - I however don't have that luxury. I took on the role as supportive wife and mom. I do it all, minus his school, studying, and flying. I'm not whining, it's where my life has me at this moment, and it's just a chapter of my life. Right now, it is about SUPPORTING him. He sees how much I do and in return he helps out whenever possible, however classes may run late, he may need to meet with someone, flights are delayed, study groups, guy time...I'm sure you all relate to the hectic work schedule/obligations.
Propwife: I'm glad that you are able to recognize that there is a time and place for children. I think it's important for the gentlemen on this forum to also realize that although it may not seem "child appropriate" to them, they might have not
heard that children were invited to various squadron functions. That TOO is a part of life.
Yes, they have the freedom to vent, curse, hate kids, hate my kids - only they can control themselves. It started out with some guy mad about kids at the commissary... and now I feel like I need to protect all children from preying soon-to-be/aviators without kids. Thank God the majority of the single guys I know are a bit more understanding!
I do disagree with you. I do think there is malice with some of them, while others may have just wanted to rant and join the band-wagon. A lot of it is legit venting, and some is just because they don't have kids...and that's fine. I felt that it was necessary to speak up for the sake of the kids. I felt like there were only a handful of dads that did speak up for the kids - and that was really great.
I didn't plan on bothering with this thread again, but after reading a few posts, I knew I wanted to speak my mind. I'm sure there will be a myriad of personal attacks and rude comments about kids in general following mine. That's fine. Vent away.
). I do try and keep them in line, but they are 2 1/2 and 8 months.
I wouldn’t get too offended by nick names for kids. 
