Restaurant Bans Young Children

Thats NOT every child, there are parents such as myself and my husband that do correct our child and if we can not get him to calm down then one of us leaves the restaurant with him. I do not think it is fair that all children should be banned. HOW about ban the parent that does not correct there child or lets them run around the restuarant.

Operative phrase Doridoo, is ' if we can not get him to calm down' - while you are trying to calm him down, the rest of the patrons are subject to witnessing his distress and your cajoling! Sorry, but I have been there, done that, and at my age don't enjoy the show!
Appears to me the old phrase, 'Children should be seen, not heard' would be a good foundation for educating children about the world of 'sit down' eating.

So point this out to the other parents, then we all can enjoy our dinner.

Kudos to him! If I am out with my husband enjoying a nice quiet dinner, the last thing I want to hear is some little kid screaming at the top of his lungs! Regardless of how much money is being spent, the point is we want to be able to enjoy our meal without some little brat ruining it for us. Having children of my own who are now grown, my days of whining and yelling and temper tantrums are over. If you can't control your kids, get a babysitter and LEAVE THEM HOME!! Chances are, at that age, they probably won't like the food being served anyway.

As a Mother of 2 (grown now) I understand how adults would like an adults only night out.There are so many family type restruants.In fact probably most restruants cater to families. I think it's great what that business owner did and sounds like alot of people agree with his decision.

The landscape of America has absolutely changed for the worse. So many self-righteous people thinking they are so deserving of anything they want and children are the scourge of the earth. I feel sorry for your pitiful selfishness.

To ban an entire group of people is discrimination. Not all children misbehave, and some act better than you adults that think you are so wonderful. Further, many parents still do parent. Although I agree there are some really annoying children running wild at times, and parents that don't know how to parent; I also know you are running into dangerous territory when you start grouping all members of a group of people together.

What about smelly people? Who wants to sit next to the big fat guy that smells of sweat? Or what of cigarette smoke, such a lovely odor? What about the grown-ups that had a few too many drinks? I usually don't see the five year old on the phone, it is the all too important adult that believes we all care what he or she says.

Sad, sad, sad!

To DORIDOO:Apparently you have had problems with your children and you know that they misbehave. Therefore I suggest you do not go to this restaurant, then they will not have to refuse to let you in.

By the time a child is out of control and u ask them to leave after being seated --you are going to have quite the argument on your hands! and of course it is not you that he is talking about not disciplingin your children--it is a general statement! Don't take it personally!

aase
Are you serious? First of all. Who said overweight people reek of sweat? It's called personal hygiene, I've seen plenty of tooth pick people that reek like yesterday's sewer gas. Cigarette smoke? Hello, are you blind? Cigarettes are already banned from eating places and/or bars as well. Invalid argument.

If you're in a place that is not specifically designed for 'family' dining. There's no reason you should be required to knuckle down to screaming children. A child that throws a tantrum if they don't get what they want to eat or drink.

Just because SOME parents teach their children right, doesn't mean EVERYONE does. And since there's plenty of other restaurants to take the kids to, there's no reason to complain about one small business owner taking a stand on having the atmosphere for his place of business ruined, because of small kids and ineffectual parents.

Marcus,

If you are going to engage someone, show some fiber. By your claim, that not all fat people stink, I can make the same assertion, not all children misbehave. Therefore, if one is to ban children, because of the select ones that misbehave, shouldn't those overweight members be banned as a whole, since many of us find body odor offensive. And you are correct, not all overweight people smell, and your very argument as such only takes my point a step further. Perhaps all those with bad hygiene should be banned so the rest of us do not have to have our environment ruined by the wonderful smell of who knows what.

As far as the cigarette argument, you are wrong and very short-sighted. Those that smoke tend to have a layer of stench accumulated on their beings and possessions that lingers for quite some time after they are done lighting up. That smoke often times carries in enclosed environments. I encourage you to do some light reading on the topic.

And as for family dining, I will take my family wherever I please, not just at establishments labeled as family dining. I tend not to feed my children the crap you probably refer to as family dining. And if my pocketbook says I can afford it, so be it. If you don't it, I don't really care. And I would imagine my children are better behaved than you. See, they are smart, educated, and have loving and caring parents, that do teach them right from wrong.

Why should I be penalized because some parents don't do their job. That's no different than a business owner saying African-Americans are always robbing his store, so they are no longer allowed in the business. Is it any different? Or perhaps we should target teenagers, they seem to make a lot of noise at restaurants. Have you ever been to a restaurant when a gaggle of teens walks in on the way to the dance.

Instead of thinking the world revolves around you, why not relax a little, and quit being so uptight about your surrounding. Be happy with what you have. Celebrate the beauty of a child or think about the date you might have had in high school.

And I have every bit as much right to complain if I want, who the heck are you to tell me what I have the right to do. You are nothing, nothing at all. If you don't like others sharing their opinion, tough.

Once we were sharing a meal with friends in a booth, when this two or three year old in the connected booth behind us had his whole face covered with mashed potatoes. Every time he would breath in, potatoes would be sucked up his nose. They allowed the child to stand up on the seat, face us. The whole time he is flinging mashed potatoes. The parents never had a clue

I started taking my now 10 yr old son to restuarants, even fine, upscale establishments, since he was a week old. When younger, I brought toys, nibble foods, whatever would work to keep him occupied and happy. When he was 2-4 yrs old, he simply was not allowed out of his chair and up running around. I kept him busy and I NEVER once had to leave because he was causing a scene. Its a matter of making certain the child has things to keep his attention, and set the expectation very early on that negative behaviour is not acceptable. I often receive compliments from other patrons AND the wait staff. Oh, and yes, my son has ADHD and Aspergers so there IS NO excuse for children running wild when you dine out.

PARENTS DON'T DISCIPLINE THEIR CHILDREN ANYMORE B/C THEY DON'T WANNA GO TO JAIL. MY SISTER RAISED HER VOICE AT HER CHILD IN A STORE THE CASHIER STARTED TALKING CRAZY ABOUT CALLIN THE POLICE. SHE NEVER HIT THE CHILD NOR SAID ANYTHING BAD TO HER CHILD SHE JUST YELLED PLEASE STOP CRYING UR DRIVING ME CRAZY. THE MAN CAME OVER TO HER AND SAID IF YOU YELL AT THAT CHILD AGAIN IM CALLING THE POLICE.

Aase writes: "And as for family dining, I will take my family wherever I please, not just at establishments labeled as family dining."

___________

Well actually, Aase, that's not absolutely correct. You will not be taking your family to McDain's in Monroeville, Pa., if a member of your family is under the age of 6, even if you "please"..

Given your apparent self-righteous, pompous attitude, it will be a pleasure not seeing you there.

It has been my own personal experience that, for every responsible parent, there are 3 irresponsible ones. This summer alone at least 5 dining out experiences have been ruined by unruly children, either knocking into me, spilling things on me or running up and down the aisles making noises. Good for this man for taking a stand! It is about time parents became parents and took control of their child's behavior in public!

Exactly how do you expect the restaurant to know which child is going to misbehave? Take your kids to the local diner or McDonald's, the rest of us are paying to have a quiet enjoyable meal. There are plenty of kid friendly restaurants. It's just plain inconsiderate to take them to a place that has tableclothes and serves liquor.

Seems to me that's what he did!

you khow that everybody suffers when a parrent want calm down their child while other people are trying to enjoy themselves, I like a quiet night out and not having to hollar at the top of my voice to talk to ones at my table, good for the owner.

This is actually fro Doridon't.
Dori, your right in not allowing kids to throw tantrums & disrupt restaurants. Unfortunately, too many kids do it & get away with it; yes, poor parenting.
But as long as this exists the restaurant owner must think of his adult customers who do not wish to be kid hastled when the're trying to enjoy a meal - KIDS OUT.
Additionally, at this specific restaurant many of the customers eat at the BAR. Kids do not belong in bars. Yake them to Mcdonalds or like restaurant.
Ed