Storytime struggles

Started the storytime season again last week after a holiday break. This week we had a crowd bursting at the seams of the auditorium, as well as some newbie kids. Sitting quiet and listening is a skill that kids need to learn and most 3 year olds have not developed it. So usually when we get some first-timer preschoolers in the storytime, they are pretty wound up, jumping up on the stage, trying to play the piano, standing directly in front of the book in front of dozens of other kids craning their necks...etc.

Usually I can handle out of control kids, because their parents help out. This mother was either too overwhelmed with her charges or just figured the other parents of preschoolers would watch her first-timer children. While the group was doing a craft and I was frantically running around making sure there was enough supplies, one of these newbies grabbed a crayon and scribbled all over my flannel board. Crayon does not come out, it was ruined. I didn't get a sorry from the mom and she did not discipline any of her children....I wasn't happy but I will get the last laugh as these 3 preschoolers eventually turn into teenagers under her roof.