Wiktionary
children should be seen and not heard
alt. Children should behave well and be quiet, especially in the presence of adults. prov. Children should behave well and be quiet, especially in the presence of adults.
Usage examples of "children should be seen and not heard".
It's such a relief to talk when one wants to and not be told that children should be seen and not heard.
However, adults often get into the old 'children should be seen and not heard' syndrome.
Evidently my little charge had been greatly impressed with that tired old saw, 'children should be seen and not heard'.
Gran in particular was of the opinion that children should be seen and not heard.