I'm none of the above, therefore my opinion is valid (?)

Clearly. Its really more your children I'm worried about. I get the whole fuck the man, blah blah, rules are for breaking 12 year old boy bs you are spewing...but some rules are grounded in REALITY.

I'm none of the above, therefore my opinion is valid (?)

No one's opinion is any more, or less, valid than any others.

All opinions are valid. Its just some are more valid than others.

That's PC crap!

DMT

I'm not provoked by your attempted provocation. Throwing rocks at the crag is unethical. It is unspoken climber law to not throw rocks. Same as...don't step on the rope, don't foist your beta on climbers who don't ask for it, pee downhill, off trail, don't set up topropes on every climb in sight and not pull your ropes if other climbers come into the area. You CAN do it...but you will be regarded as a shithead if you do.

The kids in this instance are like 4 years old! Do you think any rock they have picked up is:
- bigger than a quarter?
- able to be put a distance greater than 3 feet?
- that if the kids were throwing that AT a human, or on the edge of a cliff, a climber mom wouldn't be on it?

The thing is, with kids(from what I understand) - you can't sweat the small stuff. If you had to tell a kid "no" for every possible transgression they were making throughout a day, you might as well just tape a loop of "No's!" and let it play continuously.

On an aside - OP has logged in and not posted to his little masterpiece since his last one. Guess he's just sitting back and laughing at the train wreck. Or sobered up and realized what an ass he came off as. Or is busily pecking away at the Mother Of ALL Replies.... Or something

The OP troll was projecting his expectations of how a parent should act onto others. Probably even projecting how his parents treated him and called that “right” and now wants everyone else should behave in that manner. Get over it. If that had been a bunch of 21 year olds with beer, screamin’, yellin’, throwin rocks at each other and passing beer back and forth while their hottie girlfriends climbed, the OP would have strolled over to see what all the fun was about. The OP shoulda done the same with the kids. Who know, he might have gotten cookies and a bj.

This is really a mute discussion anyway..

Just because we're conversing over the internet, doesn't mean we're mute!

Swearing does make you look kools. I dont like or dislike kids, but would rather not be around them climbing. Simply because swear sometimes, Ok alot, and the last thing I want to hear is," HEY watch your mouth there are kids here." Like I give a shit. I usually tell parents in this case. I am not going to watch what I say I am not in court or church. Like you would find me in church anyways. They usually pack up. If the kids are a real pain just swear like you have torrets. If the parents yell at you Yell back. Show those little fuckers that you have a freedom of speech and you intend on exercising your right. This thould help fuel your fire

I totally agree. As a single mom of a 3 1/2 year old, I would not dream of taking my child on a climbing trip. To the gym? Yes. On a camping trip? Yes. Hiking? Yup.
I would not take her on a climbing trip (yet) because its not the place for a toddler, for numerous reasons:
1. I can't keep an eye on her and concentrate on climbing/belaying...both of those things would need my undivided attention.
2. What if something happens to me or my partner and one of us is injured?
3. Snakes, poison ivy, crag dogs, edges of cliffs...etc
4. What if she starts harassing other climbers who are trying to belay or climb?
Honestly, the whole thing sounds like a mess to me. But when she is older and I do take her, you damn well better believe she will not be running around, screaming and acting all crazy like.

At what age do you think it is appropriate to take the kids climbing or camping? 3.5 seems young to me as well. However, once they are in kindergarten I think they learn to respect authority more.

I don't have an age in mind. I'm thinking six or seven...but I'll be watching her for the maturity that would be necessary for a climbing trip. Every child is different...some are ready sooner, some later. I will probably be asking my doctor also...I'm thinking in terms of, if the worst happens (she gets bitten by a copperhead and there is a 30 minute hike out...) will she be able to tolerate it like an adult. Could she get hurt/bitten by a snake, etc, playing outside? Well, yes, but its far more unlikely and the hospital is a couple minutes ride in the car down the road. To me, its using common sense as a parent. That said, I don't judge...other people are in different situations and their children are different. To me, parenting comes first, because it was a decision of responsibility that I made. Climbing has to come second...that doesn't mean I don't want to expose my daughter to climbing...which is why I take her to the gym. I might take her to a place like the Columns in Eugene Oregon (drive up crag, zero approach, easy access to hospital), but other than that, no. My own thoughts as a parent.