vent

So, we went to a couple public things this weekend.
Which ends up frustrating both Ryan and I, but actually pissing Ryan off.

At the firework show during on of the shows...4 guys were carrying around a giant snake to let the audience feel. Everyone was told to stay in their seats, AND don't pet the snakes head.
Well, what happens...
.....all the kids, and adults too rush toward the snakes...almost tripping the guys holding them. Half the kids reaching for the snakes head and pushing eachother aside.
This is rude, and dangerous. And of course, the kids with manners don't get a chance because they aren't rude.

Then at the parade on the 4th. The floats throw out candy. Half of the kids are practically jumping in front of the cars, etc to get to the candy and only moving back when a parade person tells them too.
Or they kids another kid would be grabbing for the candy, and some grabby kid would yank it out right from them.

So, my question is where are the parents? and has being polite just become un-important over the years?


I'm having such a hard time teaching my kids to stand up for themselves, but also use their manners/be polite and respectful. Because while I'm teaching them this, they are getting pushed aside because other kids don't have any.
Part of me just wants to tell my kids to push the other kids back. Ya know?
It's frustrating.