Little hands and sucky parenting

[MoonCat]

My brother and I learned real quick not to annoy other diners at restaurants.

One of the local restaurants where I live implemented a "No Screaming Kids" policy.

If your kids are creating a disturbance, you will be asked to leave. You do get one warning, but after that you are out.

Parents with crying babies are welcome to take them outside to calm them, and then return.

Business picked up

That's....so beautiful I wanna eat there!!!

[Mytical]

To be honest babies crying does not bother me. They are not old enough to communicate what is wrong or bothering them in any other way. Nor does babies screaming bother me.

Children, however, are another matter. Typically screaming and crying at certain ages tend to mean they have been spoiled rotten. If they are in pain (ie an accident happened) or such, it doesn't bother me then either. When it is because they didn't get their way, or something..yeah that bothers me.

Yet, I am torn. Because people with children should be able to take their kids out, and enjoy themselves also. Just wish there were more responsible parents, so that rules like the restaurant has would not be needed.

[NotSoInnocent]

Had a similar experience a couple days ago.

We were at a Shari's (and if you ever find yourself in the Pacific Northwest for some reason I COMMAND YOU TO EAT THERE, the strawberry lemonade is to die for and the pie is groin-grabbingly good) and in the booth behind us were two screamy women, both quite trashy and sporting tramp-stamps which I really didn't need to see during dinner, and at least two screamy, wandering kids.

So as we're trying to eat we're being serenaded with SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP! BUBBA (one of the kid's names. Really) LOOK AFTER YOUR SISTER! DAMMIT, I SAID SIT DOWN!"

Added bonus: one of them had an Alvin & the Chipmunks ringtone on their phone and they let it play out almost completely before bothering to answer.

'Nother added bonus: my mom nearly ended up with Bubba on her head as he (Bubba) was crawling around on the booth.

I <3 Shari's. Absolute nom.

Also:

My children (all four of them) know how to behave in a dining establishment.

The honest reason for this?

We make them mind their manners at home, too!

Even the 3 y/o will sit quietly and eat his dinner. When he's done, he will play with a toy that I bring for him. This has been the routine since my oldest was a toddler.

The fact that they know that there will be negative consequences if they act out makes them less likely to do so.

[XCashier]

We were at a Shari's (and if you ever find yourself in the Pacific Northwest for some reason I COMMAND YOU TO EAT THERE, the strawberry lemonade is to die for and the pie is groin-grabbingly good)

May I suggest the cinnamon bread french toast? Now that is delicious!

[ADoyle90815]

I'm with the others in having parents who didn't put up with misbehavior at a restaurant, and insisted on eating at the dining table at home with the TV off. As a result, my brother and I never considered acting up, and now my niece is being raised the same way.

[Imogene]

And my boyfriend screamed right back at him!

That reminds me of one of the episodes of Family Guy, I forget what was happening, but suddenly, Brian's on trial for... being a public nuisance, I think...? and the prosecutor brings up the time Brian, Peter, and Lois were out to eat at a fancy restaurant, with a kid in a high chair over Brian's shoulder, just screeching, and Brian turns around and starts screeching every time the baby does, out of anger.

[Andara Bledin]

I'm with the others in having parents who didn't put up with misbehavior at a restaurant, and insisted on eating at the dining table at home with the TV off. As a result, my brother and I never considered acting up, and now my niece is being raised the same way.

You don't have to eat at a table formally to instill good manners in kids.

I remember eating off of TV trays in the main room for much of my childhood, but my brother and I would still never act up in public, because we both had the Fear of Mom instilled in us at an early age, and knew better than to raise her wrath.

^-.-^