Most people get that parenting is tough—raising kids in today’s world comes with a whole set of challenges, and no one’s expecting perfection.
However, doesn’t mean every parenting move goes unnoticed in public. Whether it’s in shops, restaurants, planes or parks, there are certain behaviours that make everyone else cringe, even if they try not to show it. These things might be brushed off as part of “just having kids,” but they can definitely annoy the people around you more than you realise. These are some of the biggest offenders when it comes to parenting habits that tend to push other people’s buttons.
1. Letting your child blast videos on full volume
It’s one of the fastest ways to drive an entire café or waiting room up the wall. That high-pitched cartoon voice or TikTok sound echoing off the walls is just not a vibe anyone else asked for. No one minds a kid having entertainment—but a pair of cheap headphones goes a long way. When the whole room becomes part of one child’s screen time, people start silently plotting their escape route.
2. Changing nappies in the middle of public spaces
It’s understandable if there’s no changing station nearby, but when someone whips out a nappy mat on a restaurant table or shop bench, it’s hard not to do a double take. Some things just belong behind a closed door. Even other parents can be thrown off by this one. Everyone knows babies have needs, but mixing bodily fluids with a lunch setting makes people queasy fast.
3. Letting kids run wild in restaurants
It’s cute when kids are excited, but once they start weaving through tables, climbing booths, or shouting like it’s a playground, the charm wears off fast. People trying to enjoy a meal just want a bit of peace. Servers especially get the brunt of this one. A kid darting under trays or bumping into hot plates isn’t just distracting—it’s actually dangerous. A little gentle reigning in can make the whole place breathe easier.
4. Ignoring meltdowns in enclosed spaces
No one expects a parent to have superpowers. But when a child’s been crying or screaming non-stop and the adult is deep in their phone or just staring blankly, it’s hard not to feel the tension. People don’t mind the occasional outburst—that’s life. But if it drags on and there’s no attempt to soothe, distract, or even acknowledge it, everyone else ends up emotionally hostage to the noise.
5. Using prams to bulldoze through crowds
Yes, prams are big. Yes, they’re a pain to steer, but ramming your way through a packed pavement or station like it’s a battering ram doesn’t exactly endear you to strangers. Most people are happy to give space if they’re given a second to react. It’s when the attitude turns to “move or be moved” that things get tense. It’s a stroller, not a tank.
6. Letting children touch everything in shops
Small hands grabbing delicate displays, smudging glass counters, or opening packaged items can quietly drive retail workers up the wall. It’s not about being harsh—it’s just exhausting to clean up after it all. Even fellow shoppers get twitchy when they see a toddler pulling tins off shelves or licking the freezer doors. A quick “hands to yourself” now and then keeps the chaos contained.
7. Expecting everyone to be entertained by your child
Your baby might be absolutely adorable—and yes, most people will smile politely. However, if you’re nudging strangers to engage, or letting your child talk loudly to people who clearly want to be left alone, it starts to feel invasive. Not everyone wants to chat with a toddler on a flight or respond to every “look at me!” moment. Most people appreciate cute kids, but they also appreciate boundaries.
8. Blocking aisles while chatting or texting
It’s an easy trap: you stop the buggy, pull out your phone, and suddenly, you’re deep in a WhatsApp group while five people queue behind you in the cereal aisle. It’s not malicious; it’s just oblivious. In busy public spaces, awareness is everything. If someone can’t get past because you’re mid-scroll and mid-buggy-park, the frustration starts to bubble up fast.
9. Using your child as an excuse for rude behaviour
Sometimes, a parent cuts the queue, snaps at a server, or parks across two spaces—and when called out, they say something like, “Sorry, I’ve got kids!” It might be true, but it’s not always a free pass. Plenty of people have kids and still manage to be respectful in public. The moment parenting becomes a shield for acting poorly, sympathy tends to dry up pretty quickly.
10. Playing the “you don’t have kids, you wouldn’t understand” card
When someone raises a valid concern and the response is dismissal because they’re not a parent, it shuts down any chance of a productive exchange. It’s a way of saying, “Your experience doesn’t matter.” This attitude can create unnecessary division. Just because someone isn’t a parent doesn’t mean they don’t deserve basic respect, or that they can’t be part of the conversation.
11. Letting children climb or play on things that aren’t meant for it
Benches, statues, shop displays, and café furniture aren’t jungle gyms, but you wouldn’t always know it. It might start with harmless climbing, but it often turns into damage or danger pretty quickly. What feels like innocent fun to one parent can feel like chaos to everyone else. Most people get nervous watching a kid scale a display or jump off a chair in a crowded area—it’s hard to relax when you’re expecting something to break.
12. Turning every errand into a loud family affair
It’s not the presence of kids that’s the issue—it’s the sheer volume. When every moment at the bank, post office, or train station is punctuated with shouts, running, and out-loud parenting commentary, it starts to wear people down. Sometimes it can’t be helped, but when there’s zero effort to keep things at a reasonable decibel level, it reads as a lack of consideration. Most people aren’t asking for silence, just less of the surround sound.
13. Feeding messy snacks in inconvenient places
Cheerios flying around a café, sticky hands on public seating, or crumbs scattered through the back of a taxi don’t go unnoticed. The clean-up often falls on someone else, and they’re not always being paid enough to deal with it. Of course kids need snacks, but the when and where can matter. Choosing less crumby or smudgy options for tight spaces makes a big difference in how people experience your child’s presence.
14. Ignoring rules because “they’re just kids”
Skipping lines, ducking under ropes, or letting kids enter “staff only” areas might seem harmless in the moment, but it sends the message that the rules don’t apply. Other people notice, even if they don’t say anything. Boundaries exist for a reason, and most people appreciate when parents teach their kids to respect them. It’s not about being strict—it’s about helping your child learn how to be part of a shared space.
15. Acting like everyone else should adjust to your child
Public spaces work best when everyone gives a little. But when a parent assumes the entire restaurant should accommodate their toddler’s tantrum, or everyone should move for their buggy, it creates friction fast. Most people are happy to make room or be patient—until it stops feeling mutual. A bit of awareness goes a long way. Parenting is tough, but being thoughtful about the shared environment makes life easier for everyone involved.
