Do you let your kid scream and run around a restaurant alone and if so why?

Question

I am a parent and know how hard it is to look after a kid and also try to enjoy a meal at a restaurant. It seems I always notice kids screaming and crying and running around alone. I don't think this is acceptable behavior. I think when it happens one of the parents needs to take the kid outside for some serious words. IF you don't agree what reasoning do you have that it is ok to disrupt everyone elses peace in the room while your kid crys and you ignore everyone

Answer 1

No way. It's unfair to the other people in the restaurant to have their dinner interrupted by a whining kid. I think you are right in saying that parents should take their kids out to discipline them.

Answer 2

I agree with you. If a parent cannot train their child how to act in a public restaurant, then they have no business bringing their child to one. My husband and I were talking about this very thing the other day. We have an 11 month old and would only take her to a restaurant that is family friendly...in case she has a meltdown while eating out. If she does, we take her outside the restaurant so that others won't be disturbed...this type of training has to start early. As for kids running around unsupervised, I cannot imagine anyone letting their child do this. It is not only rude, but it is very lazy parenting.

Answer 3

Absolutely Not.

Parents who allow their children to do this are either extremely selfish or just plain lazy. It takes consistent parenting to raise a well mannered, well behaved child. My children can be a little wild (but they know that at home when we do not have company is the only time it is tolerated). Teaching good manners should start early. People do not realize that they are creating a hazardous situation when they allow their toddlers to run around a restaurant barefoot while servers are trying to serve hot beverages and food.

I think that it is totally appropriate to speak to the manager if the unruly children are being a nuisance to to and your table. You are paying for the meal and the atmosphere. If parents cannot make their child behave, they should leave them at home or to a fast food restaurant.

My husband and I have always taken our children to eat and ever experienced a problem. We take a few snacks (for them to each while waiting for the meal or order theirs early); child size silverware; a fun pad and crayons; or other quiet toys.

Answer 4

NO What I do is when I go out with my 3 year old and 2 month old I go places we have been to before so I know what's on the menu and I tell them as we are being seated that we are ready to order. So there is no big wait.

I take coloring books and crayons for my son and I let him know that when he is done with the picture we will give it to the staff as a gift to hang in the kitchen.

So that holds him until dinner comes and we eat when the food comes and if the kids are still okay we have dessert but if not we leave.

Cute story one time in IHOP my son saw a kid about his age doing a show and he asked if he could give him a page to color and I said sure he went up to the women I guess it was the mother and my 3 year old told her you forgot your son's coloring book so he can have this one.

Kids have a time limit they can't sit in a restaurant like us adults so be fare and know your kids limit.

Answer 5

I totally agree with you. There have been several times that my daughter is done with her meal before we are, and she--of course--being only two, wants to get up and run around. I tell her no. I try and occupy her with a toy or playing a "I spy" game.

I think that parents who allow their children to disrupt other patrons who are trying to enjoy their meal are, like most, just selfish people. The reason we have such vulgar and disrespectful children in this world is because of the parents who are too lazy to discipline their children and teach them about respecting other people. Sometimes I just want to shake some people!!!

Answer 6

No matter what age, kids should be taught respect. If you let them loose in a restaurant and scream their heads off, it's not being respectful to the other customers who are also trying to enjoy their lunch.
As parents, we are responsible for our kid's behaviour.
I personally dont let my kid be annoying and bothersome, especially in a restaurant where people are trying to relax. If at an early age we condone that kind of behaviour from our kids, they'll grow up thinking that they could be boisterous and loud---because they're kids. What about when they're already in their teens? the behaviour will be soooo ingrained in them that it will be hard to change their old ways.
If you wanna enjoy a meal at a restaurant (say, with your husband...on a romantic date) dont bring your kids.
Hire somebody who could babysit..you'll enjoy your dinner and your kids could run around the house and scream as much as they want to.
If they're old enough, have them sit down and explain that it's not they're house, and there's a lot of other people in the place, so they gotta behave and eat their food.

Answer 7

I don't think any child should run around. They came to eat, and should be taught to sit up to the table. Other people are there to enjoy their meal, and listening to another persons child yelling and running is not good. Some restaurants will ask the parents to have their children sit down. It is dangerous for waitresses to have to carry hot food, and perhaps spill it on a child that is running.

Answer 8

I was just thinking that I had to read your answers to this question because anyone who said yes is a complete idiot! Heres your sign haha...

I dont think parents should allow their children to run around unsupervised anywhere. As far as running, there are places to do that.

Part of parenting is teaching your child where running and screaming is appropriate and where it is not. I think a lot of parents need to step up to the plate and realize that these children are going to make the future. We need to start preparing them from day one.

Answer 9

I can not believe when I see parent letting their children behave this way in public. If they cant control the children inside the restaurant, pack up the food and take it home to finish their meal so that everyone else can try to enjoy theirs!

Answer 10

I never allowed my daughter to run around in a restaurant. It is simply too dangerous. I can remember parents once tried to sue Ruby Tuesday's because their brat was running around terroizing the wait staff when one of the waitresses carrying a tray of hot soups tripped over the brat and the soup landed on the child giving him 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his face. The lawsuit was thrown out of court because the parents had ALLOWED their child to run around un attended in a place that was not suitable for doing so. If you want to allow your children to run around take them to a park or a playground where there are facilities to accomodate them, not in a restuarant where hot foods can be spilled on them and they are a hazard to the restaurant staff as well as other patrons.