Near our table was a group of two families whose four kids were literally running around the restaurant playing tag with the parents not doing a damn thing about it.
Finally I had enough and stood up and yelled at the kids to shut up and go sit down. My outburst surprised me as much as it did the kids but they went back to their tables and sat down then the families immediately got up and left.
Don't know if what I did was right or wrong but I was really pissed at their behavior and had to say something.
It was right!
I have a pretty good stink eye for kids when they’re being obnoxious — even as young as ones sitting in grocery carts. I try to do it when the parents aren’t looking, and the screaming stops on a dime, literally mid-scream. They know what they’re doing is wrong.
Oh I have no problem telling kids to behave, I’d expect someone to do it to my kids if they weren’t.
Learned that why being a cub master to my oldest.
Used to worry about correcting other people’s kids, after having to keep 40 to 50 of them in line on a regular basis I lost that worry. I am not out looking to be Barney Fife and nip every little thing in the bud I see a kid do, but when it’s clear their behavior is out of line or risky you better believe I’ll tell the kid so.
Hell, just a look it all it takes often.
What you did was right.