Taking young children to the oath ceremony: don't

[Hesky 1]

Yesterday I attended my oath ceremony at the Alexandria courthouse in Virginia, and I have to say this: please don't bring young children. And if you do bring them and they cry or misbehave, take them out.

 

First of all, the ceremony itself was about 90 minutes long, but overall the whole thing lasted about three hours. That's too long for young children, they don't understand what's going on, they are obviously going to get bored. But fine, maybe you have no choice...what really annoys me is people that don't take loud or crying children out of the courtroom. Also, people not controlling their children and allowing them to run up and down the aisles. This is a solemn ceremony, for many of us its the culmination of a very long process, its something we've been waiting for all our lives, and it really sucks that you are unable to enjoy the ceremony because you can't hear the judge over unruly children.

 

If you are the type of person that simply can't bother to control your children or step outside if they are being loud during a solemn ceremony in a freaking court room, you suck.

Edited July 19, 2019 by Hesky

[jskibo 588]

Had a 2, 5 and 8 year old at my wife's last year.  No issue.

 

What sucked was the adults "Saving seats" after they were told repeatedly they could not....At least the kids follow direction

[Nitas_man 3,100]

52 minutes ago, Hesky said:

Yesterday I attended my oath ceremony at the Alexandria courthouse in Virginia, and I have to say this: please don't bring young children. And if you do bring them and they cry or misbehave, take them out.

 

If you are the type of person that simply can't bother to control your children or step outside if they are being loud during a solemn ceremony in a freaking court room, you suck.

This really wasn’t appropriate to direct towards VJ members but please accept congratulations on completing what appears to have been a long process towards citizenship (and) please vote responsibly.

 

 

[dilip 187]

3 hours ago, Hesky said:

Yesterday I attended my oath ceremony at the Alexandria courthouse in Virginia, and I have to say this: please don't bring young children. And if you do bring them and they cry or misbehave, take them out.

 

First of all, the ceremony itself was about 90 minutes long, but overall the whole thing lasted about three hours. That's too long for young children, they don't understand what's going on, they are obviously going to get bored. But fine, maybe you have no choice...what really annoys me is people that don't take loud or crying children out of the courtroom. Also, people not controlling their children and allowing them to run up and down the aisles. This is a solemn ceremony, for many of us its the culmination of a very long process, its something we've been waiting for all our lives, and it really sucks that you are unable to enjoy the ceremony because you can't hear the judge over unruly children.

 

If you are the type of person that simply can't bother to control your children or step outside if they are being loud during a solemn ceremony in a freaking court room, you suck.

I understand children make atmosphere in your situation a little bit inconvenient, but it is a life changing event for parents ( as you said it a very long process) and they would like to share it with their kids and also Kids will get citizenship based on parents US citizen, so they will not get the opportunity to have a oath ceremony of their own and if they go with their parents at least the will learn something.

 

I agree with you that for the sake of courtesy of others, relative/ parent need to take out crying kids out of court room.  Congratulation!

Edited July 19, 2019 by dilip

[Going through 5,668]

There was one crying child spectator at my ceremony.  As soon as the judge walked in the room, and everyone stood, he started loudly crying and fussing--and at exactly that same moment everyone kind of collectively groaned thinking their oath was about to be ruined (I'll admit I deeply sighed/groaned too considering the timing of the wailing).

 

What was considerate, though, is that the parent/caretaker immediately took the toddler out of the courtroom and remained outside during the rest of the ceremony.  Yeah, you could still hear the crying---but at least it was much quieter.

 

There was a baby too, but he/she remained sleeping the entire time I noticed.

 

I do agree that, if possible, young children of spectators should be left at home.  It's a long day to expect any child to sit quietly throughout.