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Would you kids keep it down, I’m trying to eat here!
A family restaurant in the Atlanta area has added a disclaimer to its menu asking parents to take their crying children outside, out of respect to their fellow patrons. Grant Central Pizza in Grant Park added the blurb after seeing some negative reviews regarding crying and unruly children in its restaurant on Yelp and other sites as well as enduring a run-in with a parent whose child threw a toy that hit another patron in the head.
Restaurant co-owner Donnie Parmer made it clear that Grant Central Pizza is a family establishment and he in no way wants to alienate that segment. He just believes it’s a logical addition to let patrons with children know the rules in advance.
“It’s been easier to deal with people since we’ve added it,’’ Parmer told TODAY.com. “We’re just asking people to follow the guidelines. I’m really surprised by all the media attention it’s generated because it seems like a common-sense thing to me.’’
The disclaimer reads:
“Dear all present and future patrons: GCP is proud of its reputation as a family restaurant, a title that we will work to keep. Unfortunately a number of our diners have posted unpleasant experiences because of crying and unsupervised children. To ensure that all diners have an enjoyable lunch or dinner with us we respectfully ask that parents tend to their crying tots outside.”
“We’re just trying to have general happiness across the board,’’ Parmer said. “It’s been great so far. There’s been no negativity [regarding the disclaimer]. We understand that kids will be kids, but we want parents to be parents and have everybody act neighborly at the dining table.’’
No complaints have been received since the disclaimer was added, and Parmer said it’s too early to tell if there has been any drop-off in the number of families eating at the restaurant.
A TODAY.com poll last August found that 92 percent of readers thought that restaurants had the right to ban kids altogether.
Parmer has been contacted by a child psychologist in Chicago telling him that this is the way the situation should be handled. Preventing children from throwing toys also can be a safety issue.
Tired of complaints about badly behaved kids, the owner of one restaurant in Pennsylvania has banned children from his establishment. And, as Janet Shamlian reports, he's not the only one. From theaters to Facebook, more folks are calling for "no kids allowed." But is it fair?
“We are handling hot food and have servers who are very busy, so it can be dangerous,’’ he said. “I had one bad experience with one lady who said she would never be back. Her child hit a customer in the head with a toy, and she was still angry when we asked the child to stop. That made me put this [disclaimer] on the menu because even though it was an isolated incident, I felt like we had to do more.’’
This way when parents are approached respectfully about taking their crying or unruly children outside to calm them down, they are already aware of the guidelines with one glance down at the menu.
“Now we have it said before I’m saying it, so that it’s not a surprise,’’ Parmer said.
Do you think the restaurant's policy is fair? Do crying kids ruin your restaurant experience? How do you handle it?
Leave a Comment:
Absolutely you should tend to your crying, wining, complaining child OUTSIDE, and not let it continue through the meal. YOU ARE NOT ALONE, there are other patrons having to listen, and you are NOT AT HOME. There are other families that are being affected. Children need to be taught manners, and that in certain places you must really mind your manners. Sometimes it may mean you have to take your child home, along with your pizza to go.
I loathe children...especially screaming, wailing, snotting, blaring, ill-mannered, brats who think the world owes them something because they are "innocent" little darlings... DEAR PARENTS... here is a bulletin...nobody gives a rip in a rat's furry a## about your kid...seriously...nobody thinks it's cute, clever or precious!! Most people would like to come over and slap the stupid out of you and the kid...take that monster outside and deal with it...if you can't deal with it, STAY HOME WITH IT!! Yes, I have a daughter who is 24 years old and was perfectly well behaved when we went out and I never spanked her. I did have enough common decency to take her outside if she showed any sign of losing it!!!
Wow. I hope you learn to love children before your grand babies come along. I assure you, a difficult child in a public place is WAY....more stressful on the parents than it is on anyone else. Let's cut them a little slack, shall we? Parenting is a very difficult task. It is great exposure to take your children to family style restaurant, lest they grow-up and be ignorant of the finer things. But they are unpredictable creatures. Sometimes they surprise you by being little angels....other times, not so much. If the service is excellent and the food quick to the table, crayons and etc. to entertain, it is so much fun for them. And, FYI: Believe it or not, some people actually do enjoy having kids arounds. I hope when I am old and grey I will be like some of the dear older couples who like to approach of family and say hello and pat the kids heads. So....sweet. You are missing out Serolod.....most children are a wonderful people to be around.
Momof4,
I agree with you that more often then not children are a blessing to have around, but when they do act up in a public place, parents need to be parents and remove them from the area. Every parent out there has chosen to be a parent, regardless if the child was planned or not. If you make the choice to become a parent, then you have made the choice to also deal with the hard times that come with it. If that means you leave the restaurant and take your food to go, then that is what you need to do. Other patrons shouldn't be penalized because you chose to have kids. It is beyond me that several parents don't seem to get this logic.
I don`t know what world of children you live in...I work with children and yes they are little angels as long as their parents teach them good manners, which are not that many lately. In thirty years in this business I have seen all.
Believe me, I have taken more than a few meals-to-go on an aborted restaurant outing. There is really few things more humbling than a child having a meltdown in public. I was just sad to hear Saralod's hateful attitude toward children. I mean, we are talking about family restaurants. People that don't like chaos, noise, and kids probably don't need to visit a family pizzeria on a Saturday night. Maybe they should take their pizza to go back home to peaceful tranquility of absolute solitude. People who like families should go to family restaurants. I am just saying.... And, I think when a restaurant puts something on the menu that tells parent to remove their crying children I have to wonder how good that is for business. The conscientious parent (hopefully me), would read this as: "we really don't like kids", while the rude, clueless ones are too rude and clueless to care.
My parents didn't get to "go out" until my sister and I reached age 5. :p "Too embarrassing" to eat out with us screaming and what not. lol.
Momof4, I hope that I am reading your nature correctly because it sounds from your statement that people stop and complement your children that you understand that they can be wonderous angels but just as easily be satan's spawn if in a mood and catered to. You obviously have trained your kids to behave appropriately in public but far too many of my contemporaries (I'm 53) have been lazy letting their offspring run rampant. THEY are the reason for the "No Kids" trend and why this restaurant owner felt he had to spell out what SHOULD be common sense, which isn't so common anymore. It sounds to me that Serolod is NOT referring to children like yours and that Serolod absolutely will be a wonderful grandparent loving and providing guidance for the grandchildren with that wonderful out that one doesn't have when a parent, when one is tired and wants adult quiet time, one can kiss the grands and go home!
When I was a child if I acted up in public my brothers and I would be sent to wait in the car (Not an option these days) or we went home being told that our behaviour was not acceptable and that we knew better. This didn't happen all that often because the COMMUNITY was involved. It wasn't odd at all to see an adult reprimand a child with, "You do not talk to your mother that way!" and other variations. It does indeed take a village of adults working together to raise a new generation to be better than we were and are.
Loved your comment; I'll be laughing all day. Thanks.
Outside? Seriously people? That's why you have bathrooms. All parents that take kids out to restaurants have a right to sit in their seat and enjoy a meal just the same as the rest of the paying customers do. We were all kids at one time and we all had to learn what manners were at outside establishments. Moms and dads don't deserve a night out sans dishes and a messed up kitchen once in awhile? If a kid is that bad to the point where it needs some discipline, parents get it, and will most likely 9 times out of 10 take the child somewhere else to calm them down. But to ban or insist that everyone with an "unruly" (or also known as kids being kids and sometimes rambunctious) child go outside into whatever weather may be - that is just plain rude in itself as well! I have been at plenty of dinners where the so called adults in the restaurant are 10 times WORSE than a child could ever be, but nobody says anything about that now do we? And Serolod - really??? Come here and get a free hug...you seem tense.
You must be crazy! Bathrooms are not the place to take your screaming child! Either take them to the car until the temper tantrum subsides....or take them home. Better yet....leave them at home with a babysitter instead! I have been to plenty of restaurants where parents with screaming kids don't lift a finger to keep them quiet. Although you think that parents have the right to go out to eat and not have to worry about dishes and a messy kitchen....don't other patrons without children deserve a night out without a bunch of screaming kids who are unable or unwilling to behave themselves in public? You made a point to talk about adults who are 10 times worse than any screaming kid. Well, there are plenty of ways to take care of a drunk and obnoxious individual. One of them is for the restaurant owner or manager to call the police and have the offending party arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. Are you suggesting that a restaurant owner or manager call the police and have your unruly child arrested for disturbing the peace? How about arresting the child who hit another patron in the head with one of his toys? Perhaps the police should also arrest this child for assault? Most parents these days have no respect for other people who are also trying to enjoy an evening out to dinner themselves. Do you feel the same way about screaming children in church, or perhaps a movie theater? Doesn't the congregation....or movie goers deserve a chance to hear what the preacher is saying or what is happening in the movie? Get a clue Lynn! Grab your kid by the nape of the neck and haul your's and his/her spoiled whiny rear end outside!
if you have kids who are screaming an carrying on then yes take them outside the rest of the patrons did not pay their hard earned money to have to put up with other peoples kids. i hate going somewere an kids around who are unruly, ill mannered an bratty an the parents sit there an do nothing i not saying it is all kids but if your kid is unruly an screaming then take them outside to the car until they settle down treat it as a timeout. it is only fair to the rest of us.
Unless you're in a below-zero winter, it's no hardship to take your kids outside if they have a meltdown. I like kids, and I am very patient with them. But when a kid throws a tantrum it is kindest to the patrons and the child to remove them from the situation. You have the same rights of any paying customer indeed - as long as you conform with the standards of behavior laid-out with the establishment. If you're worried, don't eat at a restaurant that doesn't want screaming children to dominate the scene - or better yet, teach your kid how to behave appropriately before you take them to a restaurant. If you don't want dirty looks from patrons, go eat at the IHOP or Applebees.
I don't think it's unreasonable to ask someone to take their child outside for a couple of minutes until the crying subsides. It's not unkind to ask that, and I have done that myself with my youngest niece. It's better to walk her around for a minute until she calms down.
You do have a right to a night out where someone else cooks your meal and cleans the dishes. And when you want that night, there's such a thing called babysitters. Then you have your rights and those of us that don't want to hear the screaming, unruly, ill-mannered children have our rights too.
I would think being allowed to eat at a restaurant is more of a privilege instead of a right...
Granted, I've yet to board a plane without a nearby baby screaming his head off, but that's probably because of the pressure change. I remember when my ears used to be in utter agony. Poor babies.
But, eating establishments are for the majority and they aren't locked inside. It's understandable if they want a parent to get their kid out of their for a moment or two. Using the bathroom would just stall other customers from dropping deuces.
Lynniecee, why do your rights to have a night out trump the rights of people who aren't making a ruckus? I have a child, and if she dared to lose her temper in the middle of a restaurant, we'd be out of there in a flash.
Michelle, I think this is exactly the point, if you're child loses it you take care of it, the rule is there for people who DON'T take care of it. I think it is an extreemly tasteful way of letting people know that they are not going to allow screaming children. No one's rights are "out trumping" anothers. I gaurantee if I was there with a drunk, rowdy friend they would ask me to take my friend outside- just the same if you are there with a screaming, rowdy child they would ask you to step outside. It sounds like we are both decent enough people to do this on our own without being asked by the restaurant to leave, but there are people out there who do not have that decency.
I think the real problem here is not when a child has a brief outburst, but when parents CONTINUE to let their children scream and throw a fit or act like hooligans in a restaurant. Yes, children can be unpredictable and sometimes lose it. My problem is when it continues to go on and on for an extended period of time, and the parents continue eating as if nothing is happening.
Parents these days do not know how to be parents they want to be their child's friend, which they are not nor should they be they should be the parent.
If I ever owned a restaurant a sign would be posted that a child MUST order from the children's menu and those prices would be 3 times the adult price, also a damage desposit would be required.
I don't feel I should have ot deal with your child going out. So take your child out or home if it's having a fit due to your poor parenting.
My wish is that any child under 10 years of age and able to walk must be in a harnessed leash (I was because I would not hold any one's hand) when out in public. Also before any one has a child they must get a license after 2 months of parenting classes. If anyone that has a child without a licnense that child when born is put into the adoption system and they parents pay a fine and can not have another one.
I am tired of people thinking it is their right to annoy me with their choice to have a child.
My brother has two daughters, well I told the youngest "NO" one day, and she started to cry. The next time I told her "NO" she did not have a fit about it. Kids learn fast and the know when someone means buisness. Parents are too lazy today, for them they are a result of S E X not anything else.
Parent remember how children act represent how they are are taught at home. When a child is a brat, I don't blame the child, I blame the parent. Maners start at home. The children that act out and carrys on like a brat in a resturant is because parents have allowed them to act that way at home. YOUR CHILDREN REPESENT YOU. BEACAUSE YOU ARE THE ONE THAT TAUGHT THEM. THEY WERE NOT BORN THAT WAY.
Oh Emily , I love you.. I work with children for over thirty years..You said it all, darling. Children are what their parents are.
Absolutely correct Emily & MK8099! It's up to the parents to control their children in public places. When I was a child, I and my siblings risked the wrath of our parents when misbehaving in public. Children are smarter than most adults give them credit for. They will get away with what we as parents ALLOW them to. I have a three year old grandson who can be unruly at times. I once took him and his older siblings to a local restaurant. When I told him he could not have a certain item, he had a tantrum in the middle of the restaurant. I picked him up, gathered his siblings and left. For a few months when taking his siblings out I left him with his parents and told them and him why. One day when visiting my daughter, son in law, and grandchildren, my grandson climbed up on my lap and said "granpa, I can be good." From that moment on, he has been a "man of his word." He is very well behaved in public and quite adept at charming waitresses and waiters. If we let children know in no uncertain terms that certain behavior is unacceptable in public, they will act accordingly. PARENTS set the tone for their children's behavior in public.
Blindsided, your grandson is lucky to have you as his Grandpa. Well done sir.
YES! On so many levels do I agree with this. I'm only 22 but we knew that going out was a treat not a privilege. If we acted up the meal was payed for and we were sent to bed without anything with that money spent taken out of the allowance we got for doing chores. I'm so sick and tired of entitled spoiled brats smacking me in the head with their fork or spoon and the parent feigning Im just so tired please ignore it. If you are so tired don't get in the car and drive in the first place. One woman told me after her daughter spilled milk on me from behind the booth. "Oh I just need a break don't I deserve one!" I told her "No you don't you don't deserve a break till your brat knows how to act in public till then your still on the clock!"
Personally, I have a child and am not offended by this policy. My daughter rarely acts up when we go out to eat. Usually we find ways to distract her and keep her busy and if she does start to get cranky and act up we quickly find a way to diffuse the situation. If she screeches out of excitement we tell her that it's not ok and she stops. If she starts to cry and get upset we find a way to make her happy ASAP. We've never had a situation where we've had to apologize for her behavior or had to deal with her being unruly. I think part of the problem is that people think it's ok to stop parenting when they go to restaurants. They think it's ok to let their children make messes because they aren't the ones cleaning up afterwards. They think it's ok to let their children run around because they are paying to have their meal and figure the waitstaff will just work around them. I am not such a parent. I will happily take my child outside if she ever tries to throw a fit. I don't care if people look at me like I'm a mean parent - I would rather be judged for being a parent than for not being one.
cmcphail,
I realize these posts were from a few days ago, but I cannot believe what I just read! You said your three yr old acts out and throws things and throws fits at restaurants?
I got the impression your older child has special needs (and he sounds like a very nice boy).
I'm curious why you don't think it appropriate to make your 3 yr old accountable for some of his behavior. A 3yr old is old enough to learn (from you, key words) that throwing things, acting out is not acceptable. Every child is going to have his moments, I realize that, but it doesn't sound like these are isolated incidents.
What's sad about your attitude, temper, and total lack of self-control is that you do your child no favors. Two things are happening here, a) you are a poor example of getting along with those around you, and just having manners b) you are providing no guidance for your kids, no correction, no expectations. How do you think your kids are going to get along in life? I don't know how they will develop any manners. As I said your oldest child sounds like a delight. You are very fortunate because I can't imagine he got it from you.
I don't know where you got the idea that people just have to put up with your kids "acting out, throwing things and screaming". I'm quoting you here. You are so intolerant with other people (just read your posts), yet you expect tolerance for your children, no matter what their behavior. Frankly, you expect a lot of tolerance for yourself too. You are an adult. Act like one instead of throwing fits
You are insufferably rude, loud, belligerant and crude. Your references to money show no class. It takes more than money to make a successful human being.
I agree. Our son is still a baby and doesn't know better, but on 2 occasions we left a restaurant asap when he started fussing. My parents would have embarrassed the heck out of me as a child if I acted up in public. If I threw a toy at a woman, I would have been forced to apologize or all my toys were going in the garbage when we got home. People need to respect their neighbors. A shop full of people should not all have to suffer due to one person.
Family Restaurant means FAMILY! That includes children! If I went into a family restaurant that had this policy I would leave! I am sorry but if you have kids and they cry and throw things which is what all kids do you have to take them outside??? Sorry but a pizza joint has this??? I've been to red lobster a lot and my 3 yr old has fits and acts out and we've never been asked to leave and I am sure they haven't gotten bad reviews for it! In fact I was just there last night with a screaming 6 month baby in tow! And not once was I asked to take her outside because it is a "FAMILY RESTAURANT"! And for those who thinks it's bad parenting to allow your child to continue well um lets just say when I tell my son to knock it off or I will spank him on his bottom than you better STFU because you know nothing about my child! And who's to say that that child who is making a fuss isn't a special needs child? My friend who was in a diner in Philly was asked to leave after her son made a ruckus... And he has Asperger's syndrome (a form of autism)! Sorry but pizza place really needs to rethink it's policy and for the diners if they want a nice quiet place to eat... DON'T GO TO A FAMILY PLACE!
The fact that your so defensive is a clear sign your in way over your head and feel entitled to having your children act out. If your child hit someone and caused serious injury he's not in trouble you are. I'm not sure if you are aware but society has rules and even children are expected to obey them. Or did you forget the golden rule? Treat others as you would like to be treated. If your child acts like a wild monkey flinging things about I'll treat it as such. Also don't play special needs card it's an excuse I personally have family members with autism but their parents made sure their routine was steady if they acted out it was readily solved to cause less stress to both them and people around them.
People like you are why there are places having to enforce such policies. Family restaurants are for civilized families, not for the ones that show their butts in public! It is all about common courtesy for your fellow patrons in those restaurants! Your response to this article tells us all everything we need to know about you.
Also Family place does not mean your house it means family friendly. Which means things can be expected but certian attitudes are best left at home with the babysiter
obviously you don't know jack about my children or children in general! i have 3 kids and they 13 yr old, 3 yr old and a 6 month old. My 3 yr old acts out yes but why should i be punished because of snobs like you who think you should dictate to society where parents and children should eat and who is allowed to make noise and so forth. my oldest son says please and thank you and opens the door for others and is a gentleman! he is a straight a student and he also has special needs too because he has apraxia. he couldn't talk until he 5! so he would also act out in public places and i had a few comments thrown my way but as soon as i told the person ok you deal with him and tell me how to do it they shut up which is what you should do! yes i am defensive because of the way society treats families and just because of a screaming child i should have to leave a family restaurant HA! where are you and what restaurant do you go to so i can go there and see what happens when my children act out... AMERICA THE FREE ONLY IF YOU CONFORM TO THESE SNOBS AND DO AS THEY PLEASE! MY CHILDREN ARE A GIFT FROM GOD AND IF GOD WANTS THEM TO BE LOUD I SAY GO FOR! AND FYI MY SONS HAVE NEVER GOTTEN INTO TROUBLE BECAUSE YES THEY ARE TAUGHT RIGHT FROM WRONG AND IF THEY HIT SOMEONE IT BETTER BE IN SELF DEFENSE OR THEY WILL GET IT FROM ME! AND PERSONALLY I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT I KNOW WHERE MY KIDS ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND WHO THEY ARE WITH! AND MY OLDEST SON MAY HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS BUT HE IS IN MAINSTREAM SCHOOL GETTING STRAIGHT A'S AND IS TAKING SEVERAL ADVANCED CLASSES AND HAS NEVER EVER GOTTEN INTO TROUBLE AT SCHOOL OR WHILE OUT PLAYING! SO PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SHOVE IT WHERE THE SUN DOESN'T SHINE!
cmcphail::: Reading your post gives me a good idea of the type of person that you are-- one who thinks the world "owes me a living". Well, IT DOESN'T! And it doesn't owe your brats a living either. You aren't the only dam person in this world, even tho you think you are. If your brats can't behave like humans, then neither you nor they belong somewhere that humans go to relax and enjoy and evening out. Your brats belong in the zoo with the other monkeys.
When my niece was a little one, we were not in the least concerned about eating out. She had been taught how to behave. Shame your brats haven't been taught how to behave. But with family like you seem to be, I can see why they are allowed to be hellions. The brats' parents belong locked in cages also!
Wow cmcphail, you're the worst human being that I've ever had to misfortune of reading on the interwebs. You are the definition of a moo. You are the reason why I walk out of restaurants
Your being defensive is due to your own insecurity, not for how society treats families. All families are treated equally when they are in public.....an unruly child would be removed from a classroom in school if he or she was acting in such a way that it was a detriment to the learning atmosphere. This is the same thing. I applaud you for teaching your children to be polite, but that does not give you the right to take them into public and have them act out. Again, the golden rule says it all..."Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!"
haha no one owes me a living and i sure as hell don't ask for handouts from government either between my husband and i we make enough to have a house here and one in scotland and well you and your families keep my husband in business buying those silly video games. and i don't care what you think about me or my kids because i know for a fact we are better off than you. and yes i will keep taking my "brats" to restaurants and if anyone says anything to me yeah i'll tell them where to go because i have just as much right as any of you to take my children to a restaurant to eat out and this is all i am saying now because it's family time at the local idoits r you. i hope none of you have and special needs children in your life that you take to a restaurant and get told to make that child stop or leave because than and only than will you know what a bunch of jerks you are all!
oh and fyi our total yearly income is $200,000 i make $70,000 and my hubby makes $130,000. thanks for buying the video games!!!
cmcphai - would you please share your dining itinerary? I'd prefer not to be in the next restaurant you and your family visit. Thanks!
@cmcphail - Would you please share your dining itinerary? I'd prefer to exercise not to be in the next restaurant you and your family visit. Thanks! ...and on a side note, I and I'm sure the IRS appreciate your candor on your financial status, because it's clearly relevant and indicative of class and civilized behavior.
cmcphail, how much money you make nor how you make it gives you special rights! I grew up with children of very rich people and found most of the parents ineffectual, self absorbed basically narcisitic to the point their children acted out to get attention or found guidance from adults like my parents and spent a great bit of time at our house.
You, going from your posts here (which I hope were written due to forgetting to take your anxiety meds), are a selfish, self rightous, lazy, self pitying, entitled, insecure lout or have an undiagnosed chemical inbalance. Please feel free to stay away from resturants in Northern California, I don't care to meet you and your unruly bunch other than possibly your son who had apraxia if he is with an actual adult. You are lucky to have him so that maybe your younger children might learn how to behave in public and to be respectful of others which you, unfortunately, have not. That pizza house had to put that policy in writing for people like you.
cmcphail, you're not helping the case that children should be allowed in restaurants. If you believe that being kind to your fellow patrons is somehow horrid, I suggest you get take-out.
cmcphail, I don't like to judge people because I always know that there are others judging me, but you are the kind of person that makes the rest of us "barf". The fact that you make so much money (between you and your husband) says that you believe that the rest of the world owes you, and we do not owe you anything! Please continue to raise your children to do the right thing. Hopefully, they will all rub off on you and help you to see that your outlook on others is wrong. It looks like that is the only hope that they have because I would only shudder to think that they would turn out like you.
cmcphail-you are an entitled selfish human being who thinks you are better than everyone and we have to put up with your crap. If you make that much money, what are you doing eating at cheap-ass family restaurants? And, are you that cheap that you won't hire a babysitter?? Your children may have been gifts from God but sounds like you've turned those gifts into demons from hell.
cmcphail
I have a friend who is bi-polar and when I get stuck talking to her on the phone my head swirls in disillusion. She never makes any sense, her conversations are all over the place...I now have that same feeling from reading your garbled comments.
What exactly are you trying to get across here? First it is about your autistic brat, then it is about your well mannered teen, then it is about how much money you and your husband make, then it is about video games??
From what I gathered you think because your children are "special needs" that you are allowed to irritate other paying customers, did I get that right?
Not exactly sure on why you are throwing how much money you make out there, usually it is low class to speak of money...just an fyi for future berating.
I love all these parents telling those who don't have bratty kids to just get take out. I remember as a kid, we always got take out til we were older(didn't eat out often anyways). How about you and your screaming kids get take out?
P.S.- I have a special needs brother who had very few outbursts in public. Probably because my parents were actually giving him love and attention rather than chatting on cell phones or being self-absorbed otherwise.
Cmcphail - you're hilarious! I hope to run into you at Red Lobster one day. Perhaps you'll launch into your comedy routine in front of me, thereby making my consumption of Cheddar Bay Biscuits all the more pleasing!
cmcphail - Now that we know about your kids' disabilities, home locations, spouse's and your salary, could you please share your medical records too? I mean, nothing seems private to you. :)
But anyway, knowing this much about you makes it very clear to me: you never should have reproduced, and should probably get your tubes tied ASAP to avoid producing any more monsters who could potentially turn into piece of crap adults like you.
I blame the parents completely; if they would take the time to parent, there wouldn't be no outbursts in public. It's those parents who continually make excuses for their children throughout life and then wonder why they can't or won't stay out of trouble in the future; then it becomes the taxpayers problem. Quit making excuses or don't lay down and get pregnant, leave that to someone who is more responsible.
Kids should not go to adult atmosphere until they can control their emotions. I don't care if the child 2 or 10. I have seen 10 year old children not fit to go in public and it is the fault of the parents!
I'm thinking you may have to raise the age to 50. I've seen more than one adult act like a toddler in public, and it is not a pretty site.
Lib50, true enough and chances are that THEIR parents let them run wild when they were children.
Really? Come on now! A Pizza joint (kids favorite food) Boasting they are a "family establishment" and you all are saying kids should not be here because it is an adult atmosphere? If you are so disturbed you wont get to eat your pizza in peace, maybe you should get yours to go!!!
I had two completely different children when it came to eating out - one was perfect satisfied to play with small toys forever. The other - I didn't even want to take to McDonalds!! We knew he had to learn so we took him to restaurants and shopping but when he started acting up, one of the parents (we took turns) would take him to the car while the other parent stayed with the rest of the party and brought food to go. Eventualy he got the message. Now as a grown man, he can't stand children acting up in a restaurant or a store. He always says "that should be a trip to the car." He did learn and we didn't bother everyone around us.
Brilliant. You approached the matter in the way any reputable behaviorist would. Kindly, firmly and consistently. That sound? It's me clapping.
Satoday, my parents did the same thing. Cudos to you! Isn't it a shame that it has come to the point that people have to be told to do what you did out of consideration to others but more importantly, for your son so that he could function in society?
I remember going to visit my granddad in Massachusetts many years ago. Myself, and six younger siblings. We stopped at a HOJO's for a meal. We were on our "best' behavior all of us, cause the poop would hit the fan if we were misbehaved. Why should it be any different now. Children should be taught manners at home, and that there are consequences for bad behavior. I also remember the staff at HOJO's telling my parents how well behaved we all were.
The sad part is that the restaurant had to say anything at all - just because you have kids and want to have a night out at a restaurant with the kids does not mean that you get to abdicate responsibility for dealing with a crying or ill-mannered child. Parents should know to leave the restaurant if their child can't handle it. Being selectively deaf is not the answer. And those patrons without children are much more likely to be repeat customers so if they don't get a good dining experience, they will go somewhere else. So leave the kids at home with a sitter until you are confident that they can be controlled in a restaurant setting.
RIGHT ON to the restaurant. I wish more restaurants would do that!!!!! Then maybe NORMAL people could enjoy an evening out in a restaurant without having to listen to screaming ill-behaved brats.
And MAYBE some breeders will become PARENTS and teach their git manners BEFORE taking them out in public.
Have you forgotten what it was like to be a kid? Yes the parents have an obligation to raise their children properly and correct poor behavior but come on, even adults have temper tantrums. I see a bunch here. But to say Kudos to the restaurant so Normal people can have dinner. all I can say is wow! Try eating dinner later rather than at a regular dinner hour if you dont want to see or hear children. How sad! What's next, banning them from movies, Disney, life?
Did you actually read the article, Parent in FL? They aren't banning kids--well behaved children are welcomed! They aren't even banning children who are throwing a temper tantrum. They're just saying take the screaming child outside, deal with the issue, and then you can resume your dinner, or if the issue cannot be resolved, get the food to go. It sounds like everyone would be welcome at that establishment, even the smallest children, as long as they are well behaved.
Ya know, i myself was never disrespectful or misbehaved in public, especially when eating out. That is because my father raised us to have respect and be polite in public. If we threw a fit, cried or screamed for ANY reason, we sat in the car wile the rest ate. Further more if dad had to come sit with us for being a brat, we were better off walking home. Now with that said, we were behaved BECAUSE we were taught to be. More times than not a child directly reflects the parents and their actions. Eating out is a privilege, i don't care if your paying or not. Its not your "right" to be there. This is an amazing idea and props to the place for doing it! If this was enforced in more places people might have to actually teach their children manners! Now do take in note i'm not saying all parents are bad, i'm just saying many children are whiny, spoiled, loud, disrespectful brats and should NOT be aloud in public. Merely my opinion~
In my humble opinion, it falls on the parents to teach their children manners.
My sister and I were always well-behaved when we went out to eat, because while our parents didn't spank, our father was a yeller and we hated that. Still do, and we're both in college now. Also, we didn't go out to eat a lot to begin with. That was a privilege when we were growing up. Also, it wasn't very frequent until my sister and I were both in grade school, and even then it was mostly as a reward but I didn't complain because it was usually once a month, more so if one of us had a good report card.
However, despite being patient I can't stand screaming babies. I get chronic migraine headaches, and they vary in their severity. So, I wasn't happy when I went out to dinner with some friends for my birthday and one began wailing right behind me, because I knew it would possibly trigger a migraine. Felt like an eternity before the noise stopped.
You can bet I ordered a strong drink that night.
No one is talking about kids being perfect...because we know they aren't. They'll spill things, they'll cry and whine at times...but when it carrier on and on and on...that is the time when something needs to be done. When I see parents who don't care what their kids are doing, I feel sad for the kids. When I see parents trying to handle the situation, I'm ore sympathetic.