Speaking June 18

Describe a time when you saw children behave badly in public

A few months ago I was at a crowded shopping mall with some friends. Actually, a group of three kids—probably around six or seven years old—started sprinting up and down the corridor, weaving between shoppers and even brushing against product displays. Believe it or not, one little girl knocked over a perfume stand, and bottles went flying everywhere. Other shoppers let out startled gasps, and within seconds mall security appeared, gently guiding the kids back to their parents.

To be honest, I felt a mix of irritation and sympathy. It was annoying because people’s shopping was disrupted, but I could also tell the parents were overwhelmed and didn’t know how to rein in the kids. At the end of the day, it highlighted for me how challenging it is to keep energetic children under control in public spaces.

A few months ago I was at a crowded shopping mall with some friends.
/ə/ /fjuː/ /mʌnθs/ /əˈɡəʊ/ /aɪ/ /wɒz/ /æt/ /ə/ /ˈkraʊ.dɪd/ /ˈʃɒp.ɪŋ/ /mɔːl/ /wɪð/ /sʌm/ /frɛndz/

Actually, a group of three kids—probably around six or seven years old—started sprinting up and down the corridor, weaving between shoppers and even brushing against product displays.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/, /ə/ /ɡruːp/ /ɒv/ /θriː/ /kɪdz/ — /ˈprɒb.ə.bli/ /əˈraʊnd/ /sɪks/ /ɔː/ /ˈsɛv.ən/ /jɪəz/ /əʊld/ — /ˈstɑː.tɪd/ /ˈsprɪnt.ɪŋ/ /ʌp/ /ænd/ /daʊn/ /ðə/ /ˈkɒr.ɪ.dɔː/, /ˈwiː.vɪŋ/ /bɪˈtwiːn/ /ˈʃɒp.əz/ /ænd/ /ˈiː.vən/ /ˈbrʌʃ.ɪŋ/ /əˈɡɛnst/ /ˈprɒd.ʌkt/ /dɪsˈpleɪz/

Believe it or not, one little girl knocked over a perfume stand, and bottles went flying everywhere.
/bɪˈliːv/ /ɪt/ /ɔː/ /nɒt/, /wʌn/ /ˈlɪt.əl/ /ɡɜːl/ /nɒkt/ /ˈəʊ.və/ /ə/ /pəˈfjuːm/ /stænd/, /ænd/ /ˈbɒt.əlz/ /wɛnt/ /ˈflaɪ.ɪŋ/ /ˈɛv.ri.weə/

Other shoppers let out startled gasps, and within seconds mall security appeared, gently guiding the kids back to their parents.
/ˈʌð.ə/ /ˈʃɒp.əz/ /lɛt/ /aʊt/ /ˈstɑː.təld/ /ɡɑːsps/, /ænd/ /wɪˈðɪn/ /ˈsɛk.əndz/ /mɔːl/ /sɪˈkjʊə.rə.ti/ /əˈpɪəd/, /ˈdʒɛnt.li/ /ˈɡaɪ.dɪŋ/ /ðə/ /kɪdz/ /bæk/ /tuː/ /ðeə/ /ˈpeə.rənts/

To be honest, I felt a mix of irritation and sympathy.
/tuː/ /biː/ /ˈɒn.ɪst/, /aɪ/ /fɛlt/ /ə/ /mɪks/ /ɒv/ /ˌɪr.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/ /ænd/ /ˈsɪm.pə.θi/

It was annoying because people’s shopping was disrupted, but I could also tell the parents were overwhelmed and didn’t know how to rein in the kids.
/ɪt/ /wɒz/ /əˈnɔɪ.ɪŋ/ /bɪˈkɒz/ /ˈpiː.pəlz/ /ˈʃɒp.ɪŋ/ /wɒz/ /dɪsˈrʌp.tɪd/, /bət/ /aɪ/ /kʊd/ /ˈɔːl.səʊ/ /tɛl/ /ðə/ /ˈpeə.rənts/ /wɜː/ /ˌəʊ.vəˈwelmd/ /ænd/ /ˈdɪd.ənt/ /nəʊ/ /haʊ/ /tuː/ /reɪn/ /ɪn/ /ðə/ /kɪdz/

At the end of the day, it highlighted for me how challenging it is to keep energetic children under control in public spaces.
/æt/ /ði/ /end/ /ɒv/ /ðə/ /deɪ/, /ɪt/ /ˈhaɪ.laɪt.ɪd/ /fə/ /miː/ /haʊ/ /ˈtʃæl.ɪn.dʒɪŋ/ /ɪt/ /ɪz/ /tuː/ /kiːp/ /ˌɛn.əˈdʒet.ɪk/ /ˈtʃɪl.drən/ /ˈʌn.də/ /kənˈtrəʊl/ /ɪn/ /ˈpʌb.lɪk/ /ˈspeɪ.sɪz/

part 3

What bad behavior do children usually have?

Well, I mean, one of the most common issues is tantrums—kids kicking and screaming when they don’t get what they want. Actually, I’ve seen little ones throw themselves on the floor in supermarkets over candy. To be honest, those outbursts stem from impatience and a lack of self-control. Frankly, it can be really stressful for everyone around, especially parents trying to calm them down in public.

Well, I mean, one of the most common issues is tantrums—kids kicking and screaming when they don’t get what they want.
/wel/ /aɪ/ /miːn/ /wʌn/ /ɒv/ /ðə/ /məʊst/ /ˈkɒm.ən/ /ˈɪʃ.uːz/ /ɪz/ /ˈtæn.trəmz/ — /kɪdz/ /ˈkɪk.ɪŋ/ /ænd/ /ˈskriː.mɪŋ/ /wen/ /ðeɪ/ /dəʊnt/ /ɡet/ /wɒt/ /ðeɪ/ /wɒnt/

Actually, I’ve seen little ones throw themselves on the floor in supermarkets over candy.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/ /aɪv/ /siːn/ /ˈlɪt.əl/ /wʌnz/ /θrəʊ/ /ðəmˈselvz/ /ɒn/ /ðə/ /flɔː/ /ɪn/ /ˈsuː.pəˌmɑː.kɪts/ /ˈəʊ.və/ /ˈkæn.di/

To be honest, those outbursts stem from impatience and a lack of self-control.
/tuː/ /biː/ /ˈɒn.ɪst/ /ðəʊz/ /ˈaʊt.bɜːsts/ /stem/ /frɒm/ /ɪmˈpeɪ.ʃəns/ /ænd/ /ə/ /læk/ /ɒv/ /ˌself.kənˈtrəʊl/

Frankly, it can be really stressful for everyone around, especially parents trying to calm them down in public.
/ˈfræŋ.kli/ /ɪt/ /kæn/ /biː/ /ˈrɪə.li/ /ˈstres.fəl/ /fə/ /ˈev.ri.wʌn/ /əˈraʊnd/ /ɪˈspeʃ.əl.i/ /ˈpeə.rənts/ /ˈtraɪ.ɪŋ/ /tə/ /kɑːm/ /ðəm/ /daʊn/ /ɪn/ /ˈpʌb.lɪk/

How should parents stop their children from behaving badly in public?

Well, before heading out, parents can outline clear expectations—like staying close, using “inside voices,” and asking before grabbing things. I mean, laying out these simple rules in advance gives kids a roadmap to follow. To be honest, gentle reminders—“Remember our quiet voices?”—work better than sudden scolding. At the end of the day, combining clear guidelines with calm prompts helps children understand boundaries without feeling embarrassed in public.

Well, before heading out, parents can outline clear expectations—like staying close, using “inside voices,” and asking before grabbing things.
/wel/ /bɪˈfɔː/ /ˈhɛd.ɪŋ/ /aʊt/, /ˈpeə.rənts/ /kæn/ /ˈaʊt.laɪn/ /klɪə/ /ˌɛk.spekˈteɪ.ʃənz/ — /laɪk/ /ˈsteɪ.ɪŋ/ /kləʊs/, /ˈjuː.zɪŋ/ /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/ /ˈvɔɪ.sɪz/, /ænd/ /ˈɑː.skɪŋ/ /bɪˈfɔː/ /ˈɡræb.ɪŋ/ /θɪŋz/.

I mean, laying out these simple rules in advance gives kids a roadmap to follow.
/aɪ/ /miːn/, /ˈleɪ.ɪŋ/ /aʊt/ /ðiːz/ /ˈsɪm.pəl/ /ruːlz/ /ɪn/ /ədˈvɑːns/ /ɡɪvz/ /kɪdz/ /ə/ /ˈrəʊdˌmæp/ /tuː/ /ˈfɒl.əʊ/.

To be honest, gentle reminders—“Remember our quiet voices?”—work better than sudden scolding.
/tuː/ /biː/ /ˈɒn.ɪst/, /ˈdʒɛn.təl/ /rɪˈmaɪn.dəz/ — “/rɪˈmem.bə/ /aʊə/ /ˈkwaɪ.ət/ /ˈvɔɪ.sɪz/?” — /wɜːk/ /ˈbet.ər/ /ðæn/ /ˈsʌd.ən/ /ˈskəʊl.dɪŋ/.

At the end of the day, combining clear guidelines with calm prompts helps children understand boundaries without feeling embarrassed in public.
/æt/ /ðiː/ /end/ /ɒv/ /ðə/ /deɪ/, /kəmˈbaɪ.nɪŋ/ /klɪə/ /ˈɡaɪd.laɪnz/ /wɪð/ /kɑːm/ /prɒmpts/ /hɛlps/ /ˈtʃɪl.drən/ /ˌʌn.dəˈstænd/ /ˈbaʊn.dər.iz/ /wɪðˈaʊt/ /ˈfiː.lɪŋ/ /ɪmˈbær.əst/ /ɪn/ /ˈpʌb.lɪk/.

Are parents these days stricter than those in the past?

Well, I guess yes, in many urban areas parents today are definitely more strict compared to previous generations. I mean, with fierce competition for top schools and jobs, mums and dads often set rigid study schedules and limit leisure time. Actually, they monitor every homework assignment and extracurricular activity, sometimes even hiring tutors to ensure top performance. To be honest, this level of oversight can feel intense, but parents see it as necessary to secure their child’s future in a crowded market.

Well, I guess yes, in many urban areas parents today are definitely more strict compared to previous generations.
/wel/ /aɪ/ /ɡes/ /jɛs/, /ɪn/ /ˈmɛ.ni/ /ˈɜː.bən/ /ˈeə.ri.əz/ /ˈpeə.rənts/ /təˈdeɪ/ /ɑː/ /ˈdɛf.ɪ.nət.li/ /mɔː/ /strɪkt/ /kəmˈpɛəd/ /tuː/ /ˈpriː.vi.əs/ /ˌdʒɛn.əˈreɪ.ʃənz/

I mean, with fierce competition for top schools and jobs, mums and dads often set rigid study schedules and limit leisure time.
/aɪ/ /miːn/, /wɪð/ /fɪəs/ /ˌkɒm.pəˈtɪʃ.ən/ /fə/ /tɒp/ /skuːlz/ /ænd/ /dʒɒbz/, /mʌmz/ /ænd/ /dædz/ /ˈɒf.ən/ /set/ /ˈrɪdʒ.ɪd/ /ˈstʌd.i/ /ˈʃed.juːlz/ /ænd/ /ˈlɪm.ɪt/ /ˈlɛʒ.ər/ /taɪm/

Actually, they monitor every homework assignment and extracurricular activity, sometimes even hiring tutors to ensure top performance.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/, /ðeɪ/ /ˈmɒn.ɪ.tər/ /ˈev.ri/ /ˈhəʊm.wɜːk/ /əˈsaɪn.mənt/ /ænd/ /ˌɛk.strə.kəˈrɪk.jʊ.lə/ /ækˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/, /ˈsʌm.taɪmz/ /ˈiː.vən/ /ˈhaɪə.rɪŋ/ /ˈtjuː.təz/ /tuː/ /ɪnˈʃʊə/ /tɒp/ /pəˈfɔː.məns/

To be honest, this level of oversight can feel intense, but parents see it as necessary to secure their child’s future in a crowded market.
/tuː/ /biː/ /ˈɒn.ɪst/, /ðɪs/ /ˈlɛv.əl/ /ɒv/ /ˈəʊ.vəˌsaɪt/ /kæn/ /fiːl/ /ɪnˈtɛns/, /bət/ /ˈpeə.rənts/ /siː/ /ɪt/ /æz/ /ˈnɛs.ə.sər.i/ /tuː/ /sɪˈkjʊə/ /ðeə/ /tʃaɪldz/ /ˈfjuː.tʃər/ /ɪn/ /ə/ /ˈkraʊ.dɪd/ /ˈmɑː.kɪt/

Whose influence on children is more important? Friends' or parents'?

Well, kids spend their earliest years with parents, so to be honest, mums and dads lay down the groundwork—values, routines, even language patterns. You know, when a child sees their parent handling conflicts or showing kindness, that modelling becomes the default blueprint for their own behaviour. Frankly, friends come into play later, but the initial moral compass and emotional security are typically set at home.

Well, kids spend their earliest years with parents, so to be honest, mums and dads lay down the groundwork—values, routines, even language patterns.
/wel/ /kɪdz/ /spɛnd/ /ðeə/ /ˈɜːliɪst/ /jɪəz/ /wɪð/ /ˈpeə.rənts/, /səʊ/ /tə/ /biː/ /ˈɒn.ɪst/, /mʌmz/ /ænd/ /dædz/ /leɪ/ /daʊn/ /ðə/ /ˈgraʊnd.wɜːk/ — /ˈvæl.juːz/, /ruːˈtiːnz/, /ˈiː.vən/ /ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪdʒ/ /ˈpæt.ənz/.

You know, when a child sees their parent handling conflicts or showing kindness, that modelling becomes the default blueprint for their own behaviour.
/juː/ /nəʊ/, /wen/ /ə/ /tʃaɪld/ /siːz/ /ðeə/ /ˈpeə.rənt/ /ˈhænd.lɪŋ/ /ˈkɒn.flɪkts/ /ɔː/ /ˈʃəʊ.ɪŋ/ /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/, /ðæt/ /ˈmɒd.əl.ɪŋ/ /bɪˈkʌmz/ /ðə/ /ˈdiː.fɔːlt/ /ˈbluː.prɪnt/ /fə/ /ðeə/ /əʊn/ /bɪˈheɪ.vjə/.

Frankly, friends come into play later, but the initial moral compass and emotional security are typically set at home.
/ˈfræŋ.kli/, /frɛndz/ /kʌm/ /ˈɪn.tuː/ /pleɪ/ /ˈleɪ.tə/, /bət/ /ðə/ /ɪˈnɪʃ.əl/ /ˈmɒr.əl/ /ˈkʌm.pəs/ /ænd/ /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən.əl/ /sɪˈkjʊə.rɪ.ti/ /ɑː/ /ˈtɪp.ɪ.kəl.i/ /sɛt/ /æt/ /həʊm/.