How do I deal with unruly kids at the restaurant where I work without insulting the parents???

Question

I'm talking about things such as how I should tell the kids that they shouldn't run around the restaurant because we are carrying heavy trays with hot food. That they shouldn't play with the condiments because I have to clean it up later. Etc.

I can talk to older children, but I do not have any kids of my own and I am not good with toddlers and younger kids. (Mainly because I like to be rational and kids just don't understand that yet!!!)

Any suggestions???

Yeah, I'm talking about when the parents blatantly ignore their children and somehow act like it's my job to be a babysitter.

Answer 1

You need to inform your manager that this is happening and let him or her handle it. I you are the manager, well there is no easy way. I don't know why some people choose to let thier children get out of hand while others make certain their children mind. You need to talk to the parent and not the child, because it is not the childs fault that they are out of hand, it is the fault of the parent. You could loose your job by addressing a child directly because a parent could sue you for saying the wrong thing or they could blow the whole thing out of proportion, so always address the parent. The rest will be left up to the owners of the resturant as to whether or not the parent will be asked to leave. I gather that you are not the owner though, so you need not address directly but through your boss.

Answer 2

I would first tell the child to go sit down, then go and tell the parents to control their children. Just explain to the parent that it's dangerous for a child to be running around with all the hot food. Hopefully they understand, some parents with unruly kids think those kids have the right to do whatever they want. I have a 3 yr old daughter and believe me I have taught her not to misbehave in restaurants and she is to remain seated until we are finished eating. As far as kids playing with the condiments well, if it's at the table there is not much you can do about that, if it's there they will try to play around with it. Good luck!

Answer 3

Well first of all, don't tell a toddler to stop running, LOL. You'd be fighting a losing battle. :) Find out where the child(ren) are sitting and tell the parents. Tell them that their son or daughter nearly knocked you over while you were carrying a full tray of hot food/coffee, and you worry for the child's safety. (Burns, cut glass, etc.) If that doesn't work, go tell your boss or the restaurant manager or someone and see if they can talk with the parents. I would think if the manager came to the table, the parents would probably be more apt to listen.

Answer 4

This is a really hard subject for me because we have 3 yr old triplets and a 18 month old and it is very rare that we go "out" to eat due to them running around and my kids just do not listen to me but when a waiter or waitress notices them they listen to them no questions asked . I know it's not your job to babysit but maybe you can say to little one's "if you sit down I'll bring you a straw for your drink or during the meal directly ask the little one how's thier food and do "they" want anything else" for some strange reason the straw thing works for our kids and i know it's really embarrasing for me as a mother to get all the dirty looks but with this many kids sometimes i'm selfish and take that risk and the nicer you are to the kids people are more prone to tip better, I know I do! Sorry if we ever attended your resturaunt

Answer 5

Ok.. I realize your'e seeking to be the quality mum or dad you'll be able to however giving the child cough remedy and benedryl to get him to sleep isn't a well proposal. If daycares are observed doing that stuff, the employees face prison time. havent you visible the ones studies at the information? Every different month someonhe e is taken away in cuffs for giving youngsters benedryl to get then to sleep. If you get a goody goody to your residence seeing you do this, Social Services will likely be at your door seeking to come to a decision in the event that they will have to take your youngsters away. Closet time is simply as dangerous. If youngster offerings knew these items, your youngsters might be in foster care! And why does shaking your fist paintings? I wish youve in no way hit him with a closed fist! Your son loves to surprise humans. He loves the further awareness he will get from doing matters which are terrible.. factor is he's having fun with the reactions, he doesnt grab WHY every body gasps and mumbles while he flaunts his erection, he simply is aware of they do and that's hilarious to him. If he does it in individual, you will have to evenly inform him you dont find it irresistible after which forget about him till he does whatever well. If he does whatever well make a colossal fuss. If he's customarily doing it in public. Tell him you'll no longer take him with you anyplace anymore. BUT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THROUGH! As some distance because the play, you will have to see if the church can uncover a alternative on your son. If your son will get disillusioned, inform him why and stroll away. He would possibly beg you to allow him hold and promise to not divulge himself once more. If he EVER does it once more, you need to comply with by way of and no longer allow him pass anyplace out of the residence for a couple of days. Never make a massive fuss over him flaunting his jewels. Dismiss it and inform him what the consequenses are and comply with by way of. Never provide in. Most importantly, in no way drug your child, lock him within the closet or threaten him together with your fist once more... thats relatively dangerous.

Answer 6

In the case of kids running around, their safety is an issue. You shouldn't have to say anything to the kids, but to the parents. You may even want to ask a manager to say something to them. You may not be able to do it without insulting the parents, but they are the ones not keeping their kids in line. Just be polite and let them know it's for their kids' safety.

Answer 7

Distracting kids is always easier than trying to reason with them.

Find some kind of cool activity / game / toy that you can keep at the restaurant.

Tell the kids that, as long as they're good, they can come back any time and play.

If bad kids think you are trying to be an authority figure, they'll fight you every time.
-their parents started them down that path!

Good luck!

Answer 8

There's absolutley nothing wrong with speaking to the parents. They need to know their children needs to stay with them at all times and a restaurant is NOT a playground!
I've seen many restaurant managers do this and there's no law against it.

Answer 9

I would hand out crayons and colouring pages to the kids so they have something to occupy themselves. A resaurant I worked at had some blocks to let the kids play with

Answer 10

Your manager or supervisor should be stepping in to take care of that one. One thing I do with where I work, I go up to the parents and say, "Wow, how old is that one?" They usually get the hint and tone them down for a bit.