Rules for waiting in line with kids

June 25, 2016 12:33 PM

So... I'm on a carousel with a kid. My kid wants to go again after the carousel stops. There are a bunch of parents waiting in line with their kids. As a dutiful Dad, I get DS off the carousel, exit and jog round to the end of the line. What happens next shocks me. Dad with kid excuses himself and goes to the front of the line where Mom is waiting with no kids. Now. Kid was a toddler (2 maybe?) And crying... so i understand the "get him back on now" mentality, but I think this is lone cutting and also teaches entitlement. Would love to hear the metathoughts on this....
posted by Metheglen to Human Relations (8 answers total)

I'd be inclined to think the child was on the spectrum if I saw that happen, and would think nothing of it.
posted by Ruki at 12:40 PM on June 25, 2016

Not a parent, but I could see holding the spot in line for my sister when she inevitably has to take one of her kids to the bathroom or first aid tent. Sounds ok to me
posted by Jacen at 12:40 PM on June 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

There's little purpose in ruminating on it; you will never know the background or motivations of the parents. Even if they were being ridiculous, we all have had days like that.
posted by selfnoise at 12:52 PM on June 25, 2016 [2 favorites]

The mom was in the line, though, so I'm not sure it "counts" as cutting. Multiple rides on the carousel seems indulgent but I doubt that alone will ruin the child.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:55 PM on June 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

I'm a little unclear on what happened. Did the kid ride the carousel with dad while mom waited in line, then immediately ride again with mom (perhaps while dad waited in line again)? That's not ideal - it means the kid gets to ride twice in a row while others have to wait. However, I definitely wouldn't say anything to the parents (or kid of course) - you don't know why they chose to do it that way. Perhaps they have a good reason, perhaps they don't, but either way I would just shrug and think to myself that I'd do it differently.

On the other hand, if dad and kid were hanging out not-in-line while mom held the kid's place in line, that's fine. Some kids (and some adults, like me) are terrible at waiting in line and it's better to let them wander around while someone holds the place in line.
posted by insectosaurus at 12:56 PM on June 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

There is a strategy known among theme park parents (Disney, notably) where parents will wait in line separately, with enough space in between them to ensure getting on 2 consecutive rides. Dad and kid goes first. Mom waits 21 people back, carousel has 20 spots. Dad passes kid to mom and kid rides twice in a row.
posted by kimberussell at 12:57 PM on June 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

I would think it was obnoxious.

Strategies for beating lines by claiming disability have resulted in my autistic nephew no longer being able to go to Disneyland, which he loved. So many people were claiming disabilities to beat the system that people who are genuinely disabled no longer automatically go to the front of the line. I don't know what was going on with these particular parents, but in general, I have no patience for people who find ways to take unfair advantage.
posted by FencingGal at 1:06 PM on June 25, 2016 [2 favorites]

This is inconsiderate of the family to do. Yes, they are setting an example of being a bit of a jerk to the kid.

But they could be nice in most other ways and the kid could turn out fine. Waiting sucks and living in crowded places makes a lot of folks a little crazy. I hate the city and it makes me angry to wait and drive and be squished on the bus.
posted by Kalmya at 1:10 PM on June 25, 2016