Responsibility for a crying child in public seems to be more of an ethical issue then a legal one. I was surprised how little information was available on the Internet regarding parental responsibilities in this matter.

If the child is being disruptive then the parent is responsible for quieting the child down, quickly finishing their business, or removing the toddler from the location.

As far as being a spectator in this situation it seems best that if one can not be of assistance then to at least be tolerant. Acting like the baby and becoming angry oneself is well, infantile!

I think it is a parent's responsibility to teach their children how to behave appropriately in public. If they are acting out and refuse to listen to the parent, it is the parent's responsiblity to remove themself and the child from the store if necessary. I understand that this is a huge hassle, but the vocation of parenting is very important, and what we teach our children when they are young will help them to become responsible adults who know how to behave and why. It's written in the Psalms, "...train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."

As a witness to children acting out in public, I simply do not have the right to confront the parent or touch the child. If I can be of help, I will offer, but it is not my job to discipline the child or the parent.

Being the mother of a two year old I think parents have a huge responsibility to keep their children in line out in public. Not only for other people's sakes but for the good of teaching children what proper behavior is. (If not learned from a parent, then who?) With that said, there is a difference between a crying child and one who is acting up I think. I've been in the store where children were crying because they were upset and that is a lot different than a child who screams bloody murder throughout the store because they are angry and acting out. It sucks, I know, but sometimes you just have to leave the store and speak to your child outside.
I've got to say though, I read that article and although I have never hit another person before, I would have beat the living daylights out of anyone who came and hit my child!!

I think about this issue often in public. I don't have any kids but I feel that parents do have the responsibility to take control of their child's behavior and to teach them early. If the adult doesn't teach the child how to act then how will the child ever learn. Children model the behavior from those around them so behaviorally it is important to set a good role model for them and to offer them constant feedback on how appropriate or inappropriate their behavior is. If corrected early and often then their undesirable behavior will be extinguished.

There is nothing more annoying than being in a public area and having a disruptive child ruin the moment for the rest of the people trying to enjoy themselves. If the child is acting up and can't be controlled then I think the parent should get up and remove the child from the environment such as taking them outside until their behavior is better managed. This would make the situation more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone involved. This seems to be a common problem that seems to be getting worse and worse. I think parents get so frustrated and tired of dealing with the child that they just become worn down and become complacent. Children are always going to test their limits though so that is never going to change but the way the parents train and teach the child is what is going to be the deciding factor in the outcome here.

http://beaut.ie/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/shaking-finger.jpg

There is a book called Have a New Kid By Friday that can be very useful in changing childrens behaviors if anyone is interested.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mgNPopVZL._SL500_AA246_PIkin2,BottomRight,-16,34_AA280_SH20_OU01_.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CPUQBK/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0800719026&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Z1DGCMG0W183WE10527

It depends on the age of a child. Babies and toddlers are not capable of the same levels of self-control and understanding as older children. This absolutely does not absolve parents (or a parent) from removing the screaming infant or toddler from the premises (and if the rest of the family is there, leaving the other parent or responsible adult with the other child or children).