To the Family Behind Me Who Ruined the Maine Firework Show for Me

Dear family sitting behind me at the July 4th fireworks on the Eastern Prom,

As cute as your children were (I have nothing against them), they unintentionally dampened my boyfriend and I's time at the fireworks on the Eastern Prom.

While I love the sound of kids giggling and playing—which almost adds to the fun atmosphere during these things –I think you forgot that it's a little too much once it starts turning heads. And your kids absolutely started turning heads.

That night, you were propped up right behind us in the grass while the firework show LITERALLY popped off. Your five children (all between two and 10 years old) were having a great time yelling and running around, which was adorable until about halfway through the show. Then it just got obnoxious.

A Frustrating Night on the Eastern Prom in Portland

I don't know if you realized this or not, but two of your kids continued to come over to our blanket and hang all over us while screaming at the top of their lungs. One of your children even spilled my Vitamin Water after running and jumping on me, yet you continued to stay quiet and do nothing about it.

At this point, we were so distracted from the entire reason why we were out on the Prom at 9pm, because it felt like I was babysitting your children. I had a hard time with this only because I have a special place in my heart for fireworks, and they only come once a year.

I'm confused about this situation.

Why didn't you come and take them away from our picnic? Why didn't you try to calm them down and explain that they should relax and not bother the strangers around them?

I didn't expect you to reprimand them, as everyone has their own parenting style, and it's not my place to intervene. However, I wish you could understand that your children were disrupting our time at the show. We would have appreciated it if you could have come to get them and teach them some manners.

I forgive you, but maybe next year, try to contain your kids in one spot so they don't jump all over somebody else's picnic.