Why do you let your kid run around at a restaurant?

[Anonymous]

Sometimes I hate people. This thread reminds me why.

But it is nice that there are a few posters who are able to manage their kids and to know when to deescalate or remove their child from a situation. You have my profound admiration.

[Anonymous]

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When we were young and thought the whole world revolved around our toddler firstborn, we let him run around casual restaurants. He would go up to other tables and smile and wave, but we stopped when we realized he was hindering the wait staff, and perhaps bothering other people, despite the fact everyone smiled back at him.

We never let our second do the same, since we learned our lesson with the first.

However, I have to admit that when a darling little child sidles up to our table and gives us a smile wreathed in ketchup, I melt

Good of you to admit that. Of course he was bothering people; you don't think smiles mean he wasn't?

PP you were responding to - not at first, I was so happy people thought he was cute! I am not from this country and this two-faced American way is at odds with the more direct dealings of my native country.

But now I know!

You being self-absorbed has nothing to do with your country of origin.

Oh of course: I wrote that I was young and thought the world revolved around my kid. I accept all your criticism!

And I have warm feelings for little kids running around me in public places! Just because I started teaching my kids not to do this, it doesn't mean I resent others letting their kids run around. They're all so cute and joyful! I don't get this frustration some of you are feeling. None of this is a big deal. Enjoy your life.

Jesus Christ. Why are you being such a b****. The poster admitted that she was young and learned her lesson. I swear. Post like this meet to me prove that if you're not perfect from the get-go than your may as well be a big pile of flaming dog poo in some people's eyes. Jesus

Why are you involving yourself in something that doesn't concern you? You are not pp and have no business answering for her. If you're going to butt in learn to do so without cussing.

Since you are taking this so personally I am left to assume you are as self absorbed as pp. Admitting wrongdoing doesn't absolve you from the consequences of your actions. Having manners and realizing the world doesn't revolve around you and your child has nothing to do with perfection , your country of origin or being a first time parent.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Where are you people eating that you're so frequently disrupted by unruly children? I can count on one hand the number of times in my life that I've considered talking to the parents of an insane child, and we eat out at least twice per week.

The frequency of this happening is irrelevant to the discussion.

Dafuq?

You all are acting seriously aggrieved and talking about "my important time and money is disturbed!"

I think many people just need to lighten up. If it wasn't this, you'd get your jollies complaining about something else.

So you're one of those people who let their kids run around restaurants?

I don't have kids.

So you have no idea what it's like to pay $300 for a nice dinner out, plus pay a sitter, only to have someone's children diminish your experience, all the while you are trying to get a 3 hour break from your own kids.

I'm calling BS. I never see young children at $150 per plate restaurants after 8pm. Red Robin, yes. Where did this happen to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last month, I was at a restaurant when a kid managed to knock his booster seat off the chair and bang his head on the floor. He'd been being such an obnoxious little asshole earlier, banging, screeeching, fighting, and kicking. No sympathy from anybody, just a feeling of maybe there is some justice in the world after all. Nobody enjoys an obnoxious kid.

You're rejoicing that a small child banged his head on the floor.

Ha! I was in a restaurant and a little kid was running around his table and the one next to his. The man at the other table asked the parents if they could get him to stop and their reply was, "we've been traveling and he needs to burn off this energy so he'll sleep in the car. He should tire soon." A few more laps around and the next thing you know, the kid trips and starts crying. The guy had a little smirk so I'm 100% sure he tripped that little kid! Did I laugh? Hell yes!

That was the moment I knew I wasn't meant to have kids. I was eating lunch with my mom and her reaction was all, "OMG, that poor baby! Is he okay??" I'm all, "damn, why did I not turn my phone camera on???"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes I hate people. This thread reminds me why.

But it is nice that there are a few posters who are able to manage their kids and to know when to deescalate or remove their child from a situation. You have my profound admiration.

The shitty thing is that those of us who keep our kids on a (metaphorically) short leash are often ridiculed and told to unclench and let kids be kids. Because they can learn rules and manners later. Except I don't see much evidence of this happening. So I'm the meanie insisting my child remain seated while the rest of the kids in our party are running amok. I'm the one with my hand clamped firmly on his shoulder on the way back from the bathroom to make sure that he doesn't get in the path of a waiter or stop at another table to chitchat.

I dont fault babies and young toddlers for making noise. My kid made noise, too. And I knew when to hoist and bolt. But the original example of a 6yo running through a restaurant is ridiculous. Kids do forget where they are (mine does) but it is the parent's job to anticipate it or very quickly remind them and correct the behavior. And if that's too onerous a task, just spare us all and stay home.

I don't wish harm to befall any kid, no matter how annoying they are. Because there's no need to add screaming and crying into the equation.

[Anonymous]

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So people who have no apparent disabilities, and are paying customers, get no consideration in your view?

Which needs are being accommodated here?

All of this talk of rights and entitlements is absurd anyway. We're talking about going out to eat at a restaurant. Customers who bring children, please try to be considerate of the other customers. Other customers, please be tolerant of parents who are probably doing what they can -- and if they're not, please recognize that this is one meal at one restaurant, not a matter of life and death.

The problem is that some customers with children are considerate of only themselves and their families.

Yes, some people (with children, or without children) are inconsiderate. This is a thing you have to deal with when you go out in public. How you deal with it is up to you.

Now, I figure that I will try to be considerate of other people, whether or not they seem to be considerate of me, and I hope that they will be considerate of me, even when I am inadvertently inconsiderate of them. It's a mutual thing. But other people have other opinions.

So what do you do when other people are being inconsiderate of you, inadvertently or deliberately?

I try to move on, instead of fixating on it. I also remind myself that everybody has hard days, and maybe this is one of them, and that they're likely not being inconsiderate at me personally, and that their behavior is not under my control, but my behavior is.

Translated, that means you are a doormat and would allow a 6 year old child to continue to disrupt your restaurant meal. Do you think you are not allowed to have nice things, or that you have no control over what happens to you?

NP. You are an aggressive nutjob.

Those of you talking about tripping kids and accosting parents have not met the right parents. The last person who approached my kid aggressively while I was trying to address my kid's misbehavior got slapped. No kidding.

I can't tell your race or ethnicity, but I can tell from this that you are lower middle class or working class. This is not middle class or upper middle class behavior.

Don't quit your day job, honey. I'm a lawyer from an upper middle class background who will not hesitate to defend my child from a rapidly approaching lunatic. Some of you will find yourselves floored with a jab one of these days.

No you misunderstand. You are from the lower class regardless of your income or education because you jab strangers who approach you when you are ineffectively disciplining your child.

NP. There must've been a few pages missing in that discount bin etiquette book you are relying on. The first rule of etiquette is that it is poor etiquette to call out other people's taste, class, or etiquette level. In short, you don't know a thing about class.

[Anonymous]

A lot of you guys are just mean-spirited, miserable and likely perpetually single assholes making up stories. I don't see this epidemic of kids running around fine dining establishment and I eat out for virtually every meal. You dislike children and happy parents because you are lonely, unhappy people who begrudge others joy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of you guys are just mean-spirited, miserable and likely perpetually single assholes making up stories. I don't see this epidemic of kids running around fine dining establishment and I eat out for virtually every meal. You dislike children and happy parents because you are lonely, unhappy people who begrudge others joy.

I agree. I mentioned somewhere upthread that this is never a problem for me, and someone replied that the frequency with which this occurs is irrelevant to the conversation. Crazy.

I think people are just bitter, and this is their moment to have a weekly "holier than thou" moment. I do think that some of these people are parents who are complaining because they've done all the "hard work" of parenting their children "properly" and want some kind of societal pat on the back by making up incidents of kids running around $150 / plate restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of you guys are just mean-spirited, miserable and likely perpetually single assholes making up stories. I don't see this epidemic of kids running around fine dining establishment and I eat out for virtually every meal. You dislike children and happy parents because you are lonely, unhappy people who begrudge others joy.

I agree. I mentioned somewhere upthread that this is never a problem for me, and someone replied that the frequency with which this occurs is irrelevant to the conversation. Crazy.

I think people are just bitter, and this is their moment to have a weekly "holier than thou" moment. I do think that some of these people are parents who are complaining because they've done all the "hard work" of parenting their children "properly" and want some kind of societal pat on the back by making up incidents of kids running around $150 / plate restaurants.

Yeah, that's definitely it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So people who have no apparent disabilities, and are paying customers, get no consideration in your view?

Which needs are being accommodated here?

All of this talk of rights and entitlements is absurd anyway. We're talking about going out to eat at a restaurant. Customers who bring children, please try to be considerate of the other customers. Other customers, please be tolerant of parents who are probably doing what they can -- and if they're not, please recognize that this is one meal at one restaurant, not a matter of life and death.

The problem is that some customers with children are considerate of only themselves and their families.

Yes, some people (with children, or without children) are inconsiderate. This is a thing you have to deal with when you go out in public. How you deal with it is up to you.

Now, I figure that I will try to be considerate of other people, whether or not they seem to be considerate of me, and I hope that they will be considerate of me, even when I am inadvertently inconsiderate of them. It's a mutual thing. But other people have other opinions.

So what do you do when other people are being inconsiderate of you, inadvertently or deliberately?

I try to move on, instead of fixating on it. I also remind myself that everybody has hard days, and maybe this is one of them, and that they're likely not being inconsiderate at me personally, and that their behavior is not under my control, but my behavior is.

Translated, that means you are a doormat and would allow a 6 year old child to continue to disrupt your restaurant meal. Do you think you are not allowed to have nice things, or that you have no control over what happens to you?

NP. You are an aggressive nutjob.

Those of you talking about tripping kids and accosting parents have not met the right parents. The last person who approached my kid aggressively while I was trying to address my kid's misbehavior got slapped. No kidding.

I can't tell your race or ethnicity, but I can tell from this that you are lower middle class or working class. This is not middle class or upper middle class behavior.

Don't quit your day job, honey. I'm a lawyer from an upper middle class background who will not hesitate to defend my child from a rapidly approaching lunatic. Some of you will find yourselves floored with a jab one of these days.

No you misunderstand. You are from the lower class regardless of your income or education because you jab strangers who approach you when you are ineffectively disciplining your child.

NP. There must've been a few pages missing in that discount bin etiquette book you are relying on. The first rule of etiquette is that it is poor etiquette to call out other people's taste, class, or etiquette level. In short, you don't know a thing about class.

It's worse to slap an adult than to call someone low class deservedly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of you guys are just mean-spirited, miserable and likely perpetually single assholes making up stories. I don't see this epidemic of kids running around fine dining establishment and I eat out for virtually every meal. You dislike children and happy parents because you are lonely, unhappy people who begrudge others joy.

I agree. I mentioned somewhere upthread that this is never a problem for me, and someone replied that the frequency with which this occurs is irrelevant to the conversation. Crazy.

I think people are just bitter, and this is their moment to have a weekly "holier than thou" moment. I do think that some of these people are parents who are complaining because they've done all the "hard work" of parenting their children "properly" and want some kind of societal pat on the back by making up incidents of kids running around $150 / plate restaurants.

Yeah, that's definitely it

I think it is. I hear this crap all the time. You're a wonderful parent and everyone else sucks by comparison. Society is going to hell in a handbasket, but you're doing your part. Why can't more people be like you. It must be because they're lazy.

Whine, whine, whine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of you guys are just mean-spirited, miserable and likely perpetually single assholes making up stories. I don't see this epidemic of kids running around fine dining establishment and I eat out for virtually every meal. You dislike children and happy parents because you are lonely, unhappy people who begrudge others joy.

I agree. I mentioned somewhere upthread that this is never a problem for me, and someone replied that the frequency with which this occurs is irrelevant to the conversation. Crazy.

I think people are just bitter, and this is their moment to have a weekly "holier than thou" moment. I do think that some of these people are parents who are complaining because they've done all the "hard work" of parenting their children "properly" and want some kind of societal pat on the back by making up incidents of kids running around $150 / plate restaurants.

Yeah, that's definitely it

I think it is. I hear this crap all the time. You're a wonderful parent and everyone else sucks by comparison. Society is going to hell in a handbasket, but you're doing your part. Why can't more people be like you. It must be because they're lazy.

Whine, whine, whine.

Yes you hear it because it's largely true. Free range children. Hmphf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes I hate people. This thread reminds me why.

But it is nice that there are a few posters who are able to manage their kids and to know when to deescalate or remove their child from a situation. You have my profound admiration.

I posted way up thread. Two of my kids have ADHD/ASD. If you don't know when to remove your child from a place because that child is disturbing other people, you really shouldn't go out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
When we were young and thought the whole world revolved around our toddler firstborn, we let him run around casual restaurants. He would go up to other tables and smile and wave, but we stopped when we realized he was hindering the wait staff, and perhaps bothering other people, despite the fact everyone smiled back at him.

We never let our second do the same, since we learned our lesson with the first.

However, I have to admit that when a darling little child sidles up to our table and gives us a smile wreathed in ketchup, I melt

Good of you to admit that. Of course he was bothering people; you don't think smiles mean he wasn't?

PP you were responding to - not at first, I was so happy people thought he was cute! I am not from this country and this two-faced American way is at odds with the more direct dealings of my native country.

But now I know!

You being self-absorbed has nothing to do with your country of origin.

Oh of course: I wrote that I was young and thought the world revolved around my kid. I accept all your criticism!

And I have warm feelings for little kids running around me in public places! Just because I started teaching my kids not to do this, it doesn't mean I resent others letting their kids run around. They're all so cute and joyful! I don't get this frustration some of you are feeling. None of this is a big deal. Enjoy your life.

Jesus Christ. Why are you being such a b****. The poster admitted that she was young and learned her lesson. I swear. Post like this meet to me prove that if you're not perfect from the get-go than your may as well be a big pile of flaming dog poo in some people's eyes. Jesus

Why are you involving yourself in something that doesn't concern you? You are not pp and have no business answering for her. If you're going to butt in learn to do so without cussing.

Since you are taking this so personally I am left to assume you are as self absorbed as pp. Admitting wrongdoing doesn't absolve you from the consequences of your actions. Having manners and realizing the world doesn't revolve around you and your child has nothing to do with perfection , your country of origin or being a first time parent.

Haha well I wasn't going to pipe in before but now I have to. You, most recent PP, suck. You are a miserable and pathetic person. How did you get that way?

To the other poster, you sound lovely and self-aware, and I smiled reading your posts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last month, I was at a restaurant when a kid managed to knock his booster seat off the chair and bang his head on the floor. He'd been being such an obnoxious little asshole earlier, banging, screeeching, fighting, and kicking. No sympathy from anybody, just a feeling of maybe there is some justice in the world after all. Nobody enjoys an obnoxious kid.

Yikes. You are a horrible person.