I am a waitress ane one thing I have trouble with is how to tell a guest to control their child. HELP!!!?

Answer 1

As a mother, I'm compelled to answer. Sometimes it is not easy to control a child in public. Some kids are good in public, some are not. Some children act out in public to get attention. Why? Who knows. It just happens. More than likely the child is like that at home. Then there are some parents who let their child be like that. You can never tell. Maybe they have a disorder or condition that makes them act out. You have to take in account that it's not entirely the parents fault. My middle son for example is autisic. It is a neurological disorder. It is something I cannot control. For instance, I was at a resturant with my child and family and he cried and yelled because he didn't want to sit down. I was about in tears. There's nothing I could have done. I tried giving him toys, crayons and paper. Nothing worked. Until the food came, then he calmed down. I'm sure those parents you speak of was embarrassed and upset.

Talk to your boss. Ask him what you should do. Don't just take it into your own hands. You very well could have an angry parent in your face and without a job.

Answer 2

Parents are becoming more submissive with their kids these days. They seems to be the center of the universe. (Yuck!). It makes our jobs in the service industry harder. I was a waitress for 16 years. The noise of the children interferred with my ability to hear orders. It is nothing personal, you need to get the order acurately. I used to tell the oblivious parents "I can't here you". This way you are being honest. If you say "What?", or struggle to hear, you may appear mentally delayed or some kind of simpleton. I know it isn't true. But, these ignorant people turn their faults on you. If the noise is a high pitched scream, I would stop what I was doing and look at the child directly. Kids will do that, but how come parents make no effort to quiet them down? You didn't mention what exactly the children are doing. If it is physical, you could direct them yourselves, since the parents are not doing it. It is a matter of safety and effective production.

Answer 3

I would say it falls back to just how much you value this particular job. If it is one of those rare opportunities then I would recommend just maintaining focus on the needs of the parents because they are likely already frustrated as well so saying nothing as if the child didn't exist will say the most...on the other hand if it's a nickel dime greasy spoon sort’a place and the boss is an *** anyways have fun with it...walk up and with the biggest of smiles ask them can you get them anything else, more water so Chuckie here can ruin your morning pissing the bed, desert so he can Chuck it at this little sh*t next to him or how about a leash so you can get him out the door without biting someone!

Answer 4

Not much fun to be placed in that situation but, it is your responsibility to try your best to talk with your customer about how disruptive the child is being while others are trying to enjoy a meal out. I think I would suggest to them (if the child is up and out of their seat causing a scene) that it is in the best interest for the safety of the child, to keep him seated in their section. If the child is just screaming and being obnoxious, I would ask if there is something I could do to help; suggest that the Mom might like to take the child out to the lobby to calm him or offer crayons or something to divert the child's attention. Sometimes it is necessary to get the hostess or host to speak with the parent about removing the child until he can calm down because he is disrupting others around who are attempting to have a quiet meal. If the parent is reasonable, then they will know that they need to remove the child (take to the bathroom or outside until they can calm down); if they are unreasonable, they may get mad at you, refuse to leave a tip or ask to see the manager. You have to try your best to be diplomatic and sympathetic as well as insistant that the child needs to be soothed and quieted. Hope this is helpful. (Sometimes you can divert a disorderly child with a smile, a straw, crayons, crackers, whatever but, ask the parents if that is OK, first.)

Answer 5

I wouldn't unless you know for sure your supervisors/bosses would support you. Parents tend to kick up a fuss when someone points out that their nasty brats are misbehaving (because they don't see it as misbehaving -- if they did, they wouldn't allow it), so you are unlikely to get a good response. Plus they could threaten never to come back, which is when you could get in trouble with your supervisors.

Answer 6

You would need to take this up with your supervisor. If you confront the customer even if you are diplomatic, that may open a can of worms.

Answer 7

Children are naturally going to act up in public sometimes, it is just their nature. As a server myself, you just have to accept it as part of the job. The lady with the kid is right, sometimes even the best parents can't control their kids in public no matter what they do. Just part of being a kid.

Answer 8

What I would do in your situation is look at the parents straight in the eyes while the child is giving trouble, and say does he/she always behaves like this at home with huge smile looking directly at the parents, plus adding this to it as well God you have your hands full there.

Answer 9

That really is the job for the management of the restaurant....

Answer 10

If your supervisor okays it, I suppose you could tell them that some of the other patrons are complaining that their child is bothering them and could they please calm him/her down.