Kids in restaurants...

[Eggs4Sale]

One of my mother's favorite humorous stories is about when she and her other daughter (the troll) and troll's 2 year old went to a buffet-type restaurant. 2yo spent the dinner dumping peas, one by one, behind the back of the gentleman in the next booth. Every time she tells this story, she laughs like it just happened and I want to punch her in the mouth.

Ironic, because if WE had done this, she would have been horrified and we would have never seen the interior of a restaurant again.

 

[Spookwriter]

I enjoy children. Well behaved children...

For the most part, I believe that an ill-mannered child is the result
of an inept parent. Certainly every young child will have an occasional
bad day. At that point the child would be better off resting at home.

But I feel we're talking more about the child that just can't get it right.
No manners, no social skills. Isn't that more the parents fault? I've seen
a lot of people who shouldn't be allowed to reproduce.

We go to restaurants. As a family. And yes, I expect my daughter to be
good. She's ten now, and we've eaten out since she was born. She knows
which fork to use, and how to act at all times.

She's growing up.

When she was a baby, we went more to places where food came in wrappers.
Life is a learning experience. As she grew up, we moved along. Her being on the
honor roll, attending church, being well thought of in the community...it's no mistake.

As her parents, it is our responsibility to guide her in these things.

If we go to a restaurant where we are annoyed by the another patron...No, I do not
tolerate it easily. An unruly child? I'll comment to the parent. If that doesn't work, I'll
call the manager over. Discount, free meal...whatever. If I want a McDonalds atmosphere,
I'll go to McDonalds.

Yes. I'm old school. I expect people --all people-- to use some degree of manners when
in public.

But some people have no manners, and unfortunately there is no chance of them teaching
their childen the simplest basic manners.

 

[WriterofWords]

I've always been very lucky. Steven learned his manners early and has always used them in public. I've gotten nothing but compliments on him from the time he was a baby on. I used to get so mad when we would walk in and I would start getting dirty looks from people before we even sat down,,

 

[maplesky7]

Quote:
I just blew my milk out.

 

[Mandalina]

Quote:
I get that often.People see us with a bunch of small kids and immediately think the worst.I often get compliments on how well behaved they are though.My two yr old is a she-devil and still learning manners but even she can sit and behave when out.I wish people who don't have kids or don't tolerate kids well would cut some of us some slack bc I refuse to raise little heathens and just bc I have a whole herd of littles doesn't mean they are going to be wild morons so giving me the stink eye is unneeded and rude.

 

[Cara]

It's interesting to see how people's opinions differ as to what is a 'nice' restaurant.

 

[squeakyballs]

If they are quiet and well-behaved, it is fine. When the kid is crying or shrieking I want to stab someone... ESPECIALLY if I had to hire a babysitter to get away from MY shrieking kid.

If we go out with the kid, we are always prepared to "take turns" eating while the other sits outside with the little monster. Every so often we can get a nice meal in and he is an angel.... but... he isn't even two yet, so he'll get better.

 

[fowltemptress]

Manners and the like aside, please, PLEASE, if you have a young child and his nappy is dirty, take him to the bathroom immediately to change him. While noise ruins the atmosphere, smell ruins the meal itself. It's horrible to be presented with a lovely meal only to be unable to finish it because a certain odor mingles with the aroma of the dish and doesn't go away.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Quote:
Yea, Olive Garden keeps being brought up sounding like one step above McDonald's. Olive Garden is the highest end place I have ever been to. My date had never been to anywhere that fancy ether. That $80 it cost sure felt pretty high end. Did bring her kids by the way.... Other than marking on the wall they did great.

 

[squeakyballs]

Quote:
I think I am raising a feral child! When did you start disciplining them? And, how? Mine is going to be 2 in a week... and... I think maybe we are just having one of those weeks, but I'm at my wits end! We do time outs, but I don't think they really help. And if I did them for all the things he does he would spend all day in Time Out. Is that okay? I usually try to distract him from whatever he isn't supposed to do, and give him a short explanation. He is just getting more and more stubborn, and now he does the exact opposite of what I say. And... I hear you on the "leaving the grocery store / restaurant" bit... we do that. A lot.

Not that he is always bad, but this week...