Do you bring your babies to the restaurant?
Replies
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It's not even about the rest of the patrons, because frankly I couldn't care less. It's about the fact that clearly your child is unhappy, and you should try to solve the problem, since young babies don't cry unless there's a reason. And sometimes, that reason is simply that they dont' want to be in a busy restaurant because they're feeling stressed and need some quiet time.
^^ don't really care how your experience is, but if my baby is screaming I will tend to her and make sure she is ok
I care how other people's experiences are. To a point. I would hope that someone sitting near me in a restaurant would mind their P's and Q's so as not to disrupt other patrons, and I do the same. It's common courtesy in my opinion.
My point is though that I'm going to calm my child down in a quiet, private area, not because of the other patrons, but out of concern for my own child. Child trumps other adults. But the result is the same -- no screaming baby in the restaurant.
Yes of course, child trumps anyone else.
The way you describe your experience sounds pretty awful.
However (and I'm not saying this is the case with you) I hate it when a kid is being a kid, and someone is rolling their eyes or sighing or whatever. My children are BEYOND polite and behaved in public. And I'm not sure I remember anyone doing this to us. But I have witnessed a kid be a kid, not overly obnoxious or anything close to that, and someone having a flipping fit about it.
As a customer, I must say, I do really appreciate the parents who make an effort to calm their children down, whereas I have been guilty of the eye-rolling when a parent does nothing. BUT I don't think I overreact to normal children things....I just eye-roll or heavy-sigh when the child NEEDS tending to and the parent is oblivious or just doesn't care.
I was at Babies R Us last week and a woman was shopping with her newborn and her mother. While they were waiting in line, the baby started to cry. He was strapped in his carseat, which was in a shopping cart. all the woman did was push the cart back and forth. I wanted to scream at her to pick her baby up! He was crying ans crying, and it was very distressing to me. I have never, ever let my newborns cry like that. Some parents just don't get it.0 -
You just referred to someones child as "it"... :huh:
I call my kids "it" matter of fact thats my 9 year olds nickname!
Along with Sponge, Ickybobcrane!0 -
I would bring my youngest son (4 months) to a restaurant in a heartbeat.. the reason why? because he is a very laid back baby and I know he only fusses if he's hungry, which I would just feed him there if I had to and he'd be fine..
My 18 month old on the other hand? Oh hell no. LOL.. Why? because I know for a FACT he will scream. He is extremely temperamental. I have tried to bring him to restaurants in the past and all he did was scream and scream as soon as he was out of food... Never again.. I will have to wait until he's old enough to understand I guess. Sucks for me but what can ya do!0 -
Admittedly, I do not have children. But when I do, I will not bring my baby to a high class restaurant.
Just be aware. Most things you say you will never do before kids, end up happening. And, the reverse is usually true.
I sincerely doubt the parents said to themselves, let's go here and let the baby cry all night to annoy everyone else. Maybe they were on vacation too, and the people giving them rude looks and judging them all night made it a less than pleasant experience for them, too.
And, I am one of the those parents who take their children to 'non-kid's' meal restaurants on occasion. They don't like the crap on those menus anyway. I think it is great to let them experience different settings. The way they eat at the restaurant is the same way behave/act during meals in any other setting. Ultimately it starts at home.0 -
I have 2 children and for people to say only take them where there is a childrens menu is unfair. My children are great in public they are polite and have never had a problem with them out of control crying. I make sure to have a bottle or a drink for my children and a toy or two to keep them occupied to avoid any meltdowns.
Long story short its the parents decision if they want to sit theri listening to their child cry and make the rest of the customers listen as well. Unfortunatly some parents have the capability to tune out their children.
I also find it slightly funny how you say when I have children I will not be taking them to that type of restraunt, chances are youll change your opinion on ALOT of things once you have your own child. Trust me I used to say stuff like that too!0 -
I have 5 kids between the ages of 2 and 13, and I take then all out to dinner. The problem is not children in a restaurant. The problem is parents who refuse to teach their kids manners, and respect for those around them. In reality the parents are probably lacking in manners and respect too. I have rarely had my kids misbehave when out. When they were babies, if their cry couldn't be tended to, we left and took our food to go. If a kid has a melt down, leave! They will learn if they want to stay they have to behave.
I have had numerous people comment on how well behaved my kids are in restaurants, and how nice that we are able to take them all out together. One lady even commented how nice it was to see parents who are able to have a conversation while out to dinner with their kids. Someimes people will ask how we do it. Well, they are taught how to behave and they know they are expected to. They know there are consequences to their actions.
Bottom line for me...it's the parents.0 -
I think it's cute that you think you won't take your baby to place like that one day.
Everyone makes "rules" for their future babies.
And then they have a baby.
^^^
This. I used to think that way too. I had children and I know better. I'm supposed to only go to Red Robin because I have kids? Or I should pay a babysitter every time I go out? I don't think so. I take responsibility and teach my kids how to act when they are out. I do not eat at RR if I can help b/c it's too bloody loud without screaming babies. Same with most other "family friendly" places. My kids don't need a kids menu to know what they like to eat. They also don't get the privilege so often that they take it for granted. We go where we like and they act appropriately. If they start to act up, they go outside for a talk with Dad.
In addition, if I did go to the family friendly places, I hardly think it's ok to let the kids rant in there just because it's cheaper. Please.0 -
If you cannot control your own baby in a restaurant, you’ve failed as a parent. When my daughter was a baby, I quickly learnt why she was crying, and solved it, if she was hungry she was fed, if her nappy was dirty it was changed, if she felt lonely or scared she was picked up and cuddled. Babies, contrary to popular belief, do not cry without a reason.
On the other hand, if the cry of a baby makes you unhappy, get your food to go. You are the adult; you make your own choices.
I think more people should take their kids to every kind of public spaces including $30- $130 a plate eateries, it teaches them how to behave, and prevents socially backward people from growing up and demanding that their rights be respected more than everyone else’s.0 -
We have always taken our children out to eat. Do they go to the high end places, no, those are saved for date night. When they were smaller, it was not unusual for one of us to take the fussy, crying, not behaving child out of the room whether we were at a restaurant, store, church or other event. Now, I bring something to entertain them (they are 6 and 9) and they know what is expected of them in public. Even if its a bag of crayons and a few piece of white paper.0
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We have also taken our son to plays and other performances and he always knew how to behave. We have taught him that he loses privileges when he misbehaves including leaving a performance/movie, etc. We took him to his first play when he was around 7 (not a "kid's" play) and he behaved appropriately. Afterwards we took him to a nice restaurant. Kids can and will behave properly if taught.0
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well I deem myself an advosary for the crying babies parents..............ima start just telling them..look I did not come to this store to hear a crying baby, so please quiet your child or leave the store cause DONT NOBODY WANNA HEAR THAT!
And they didn't come to hear a whining adult, either, but no one says boo about that.0 -
We took our daughter to Pappadeaux for the first time when she was around 6 months (In Laws choice)... and the waiter was pleased with how she acted... didn't make a fuss... and she loved gnawing on the green beans...
A couple of weeks ago my in laws where in town again and wanted to go to Olive Garden... DD is teething and just generally not feeling good, so we ordered it to go.... So yes, we take our child out to restaurants... even upscale ones.... but I know when my child is going to be a pill and hard to handle...0 -
feed them monsters at home .......0
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Never. Every baby I purchase is cooked right here at home.0
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Even if they have a children's menu, that doesn't mean that others in the place should have to tolerate screaming babies or unruly children. Sorry, if you have a baby that's prone to crying fits, and won't stop in the restaurant, my meal shouldn't be ruined, nor should any other patrons. Take the child outside until they stop crying and screaming. If you have kids old enough to be mobile, keep them at your table, and reasonably quiet. Just because you have to put up with these things on a daily basis, doesn't mean others should have to. And yes, babies cry, I know that. A little crying is one thing. A kid that cries none stop for the entire time I'm there, or a kid that has to scream everything he/she says? Either you have to sacrifice going out to eat, or you need to find a way to get it under control, and do so in a reasonable time. This isn't just at eating establishments either. My child is grown, I don't want to listen to babies whaling away anytime. I've been in a grocery store and seen moms with kids screaming at the top of their lungs for the entire time they shopped. Mom simply oblivious, tuning it out. Meanwhile all around her suffer. I'm not beyond saying something to them either.0
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I used to work at the kind of place that has a kid's menu and you would not believe the kinds of things people allow their children to do at restaurants! Throw food all over the floor, run around, make messes at clean tables, run around(!), scream until other patrons yell at the parents, you name it! Let me tell you, parents like this are the bane of any restaurant. I've had to worry about what happens if someone's child trips me while they're running around/out of their seat and I spill hot soup on them. I've had to wonder if they grind Mac n cheese into the carpet at home, or if it's just special for me. Any time a polite child came in it was worthy of comment to the other servers and we lavished those tables. A restaurant is a public space, your child should behave accordingly. Other people manage to teach their children about public and private behavior just fine. In short, I feel for you.0
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it would be interesting to see how many of the people who don't like children "spoiling" their meals don't have kids of their own?0
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yes she goes everywhere I go we just pick restaurants that are a louder atmosphere0
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You just referred to someones child as "it"... :huh:
I call my kids "it" matter of fact thats my 9 year olds nickname!
Along with Sponge, Ickybobcrane!
When they are yours you can call them whatever. How about the next time you see another persons child you refer to the child to their parents as "it" and tell me how that works out for you. 0 -
No. (They're grown now, but at the time, No.)
This is very inconsiderate behavior by the parents. When this happens to me, I ask to speak to the manager. Then I politely let the manager know how disappointed (that is key, you don't want to be "angry", gotta be "disappointed") I am to have my special meal ruined.
Most of the time, this results in either a discount from my bill, the manager talking to the parents and hushing the kid, or both.
I actually had to do this because of a loud obnoxious guy at the next table of a fine dining restaurant once. I never ever want a discount- this jerk is not a reason for the restaurant to compensate me, however I want the problem fixed, whether its this loud idiot or some other idiot thinking its cute their child screams through dinner. Speaking up is necessary! Ppl need to learn they are not entitled and parents need to get a grip. Sometimes its not the best time for Jr to be out- accept that, PLEASE. Other diners- speak up! Tell the manager you are not enjoying your meal. The chef amazes you and youd love to be a regular- but if this is how they run their establishment maybe XYZ Restaurant is where you will have to take your business if they cant fix this problem.0 -
When my kids were younger, I would only take them to a restaurant where we could colour on the menu's. Now that they are older, I have no problem taking them. I love kids, I have 2 but if I'm out I don't want to hear a screaming baby the whole time.0
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Yes I take my kids to restaurants and they behave themselves. If a child is restless or crying, the parents should remove the child for a little bit. My youngest tried to throw a fit once, and only once, but when I took her away from everyone and made her sit in time out for a few, she stopped and was able to join the rest of the family. Discipline is not just for when they are at home.0
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As a former waitress, I have a couple of things to add:
1) If they are polite and well-behaved, no big deal. But, if they are running around screaming like wild animals it is not my fault if I drop a tray on their head. Remember, there is HOT food coming out of the kitchen and people carrying drink trays. I do not want to injure your child anymore than you want your child injured. I have actually reminded parents of that fact when little Johnny is running around like a banshee.
2) If your kid opens up all the sugar packets and drops/throws food on the ground, the PARENTS should clean the mess up, not the waitstaff.0 -
I have two kids, ages 2 1/2 and 1 1/2. We stick to family friendly only. If they get a little out of hand we don't feel so bad since people who patronize these restaurants kinda expect it. Luckily my kids are pretty well behaved but they do get a little loud toward the end of the meal. I only do fancy restaurants for date nights with me and the hubby.0
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Our baby boy is One. We take him out pretty regularly, not to expensive restaurants though. Usually he is not cranky but if he is we go home or one of us takes him out temporarily. Going out and having children is not easy. Getting a babysitter is difficult at times too. Please be gracious to others and don't judge too harshly. I know I did before I had children.0
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Yes...I take her to meals. She is normally awesome. If she is having a bad day and is fussy, one of us takes her outside. I don't want to ruin anyone's meal....including mine, lol! I am lucky though....our little one is great in restaurants especially at breakfast. I wouldn't take her to a fancy restaurant at this point...only because it would be a waste of money. If people automatically assume she is going to ruin their meal when we walk in the restaurant with her, too bad. Some people really need to loosen up. Not all kids are horrible in restaurants.0
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Last I checked this is America and you can bring your children anywhere but an R rated movie. I might have thought the same way as you before i had kids, but until you have them and know the situation as to why their children are with them, you shouldn't judge. Perhaps there is NO family to care for them and the friggin parent needs a night out. Albeit, I've always kept my kids as quiet as possible when out, stepped outside if I had to and had the most respect I could for others, but we all gotta eat, and kids are a part of us.0
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OK I'm going to try to sayt his nicely and by no means did we take our son to fancy rest. but.....
Our son had a medical issue that caused him to become feeding tube dependant for a little over 2 years. He never learned to "eat" like a normal child. We did intensive therapy with early intervention and 2 children's hospitals in order to "teach" him to eat again.
ON top of that, he is non medicated ADHD.
Eating out is hard.
When he was little we tried to go out to eat right after a feeding session at home when either he ate enough orall or I tubed the rest into his feeding tube. Then we had to wait about an hour and head out to eat.
I couldn't just drop him off at a baby sitter.....this was a medically complex kid (healthy now thank GOD) on multiple medications that all had to be timed apart.
At one point one of our early intervention goals was to start doing feeding therapy in public because well, people EAT in public. WE all do.
You would not believe the stares we got. To others, it looked like I had the most spoiled kid on the planet. He would kick, sometimes scream, I started out only feeding him a "snack" at the mall in the food court.
Fast foward to now, he's 5.5 (still unmedicated ADHD) but still does not understand all the "social" skills that come with eating out. He still only eats because it's on a schedule. Very rarely does he eat because he is hungry or likes very much the food put in front of him.
If you saw us out to eat, yes I am still feeding him with his fork or mine or whatever I can get my hands on in order for him to eat. That's just how it is. He will be on his knees, under the table, asking about everything around us. His mind runs 100 MPH 24 horus a day.
It's not because he is a brat, it's because he got dealt a ****ty hand in life and we are still paying the consequences to this day.
We are just glad and amazed he eats by mouth at all. The original goal was to have his tube out by the time he entered K5, well, he enters K5 in the fall and got his tube removed before starting K3. He beat his goal by 2 years people, that is amazing.
I also know a HUGE amount of tube fed children on line. He is the ONLY child I know of how has gone from 100% tube fed to completely oral all at home and did not have to be admitted into an intense rehibilitation feeding program at a children's hospital.
So, please be compassionate when you see a family struggling while they are out to eat. I cannot tell you how many times I would go home and just cry. We got horrible looks all the time.0 -
it would be interesting to see how many of the people who don't like children "spoiling" their meals don't have kids of their own?
I have 3- screaming kids in restaurants is unacceptable- ALWAYS. Take them out- accept you need a time out for a while from certain places while the kids are young. Before you know they are teens who want nothing to do with you- take your dates then or get a sitter. As a mother of 3 I am here to tell you I do NOT want to hear any kids when I am trying to have an adult evening. I dont want to hear mine, yours or any. Love my kids- tolerate others' - but not in adult venues.0 -
With a 4 year old and a 2 year old who are little terrors of awesome. As a rule of thumb, if it has "Family" in the name of the resturant... we dont' give a hoot, but we DO ask to be sit away from couples or near other families with like minded kids. Some host/ess do attempt that sort of sectioning.
With that being said; if we are forced to bring our kid to a pricier resturant $25+ a plate is pricy for me, if they start screaming, I vamoose out the door to scold, settle, or bury my kid. Hehehe. Pulling the 'Pssh, why should we care, they are 4.' doesn't cut it with us, and we don't expect other families or couples in a higher end resturant to put up with us... heck if the waitress/waiter came over and asked us to leave we'd understand. 0
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