Posted on 11/09/2005 3:33:45 PM PST by Ellesu
- A classic case of the haves and have-nots is playing out in restaurants in Chicago and across the country over the behavior of children. People without children are asking parents to control their kids. One North Side restaurant owner has posted a sign asking families to keep it down while chowing down.
What's happening at the A Taste of Heaven restaurant in Andersonville seems to be touching off a great debate nationwide. Here's the question: Are children these days out of control? The owner of the restaurant thinks far too many of them are, and he blames their parents. A Taste of Heaven is a tiny restaurant with a little sign on the front door that says "Children of all ages have to behave and use their indoor voices." But it is causing a big controversy. Dozens of mothers are now boycotting the place, the same mothers the owner says don't place limits on their children.
"Her kids are using the poles on the walls to climb the walls like Batman, and I'm not exaggerating," said Dan McCauley, restaurant owner.
He asked that woman to never come back.
Kim Cavitt says she was offended when she was told her 2-year-old daughter should quiet down or they could leave.
"My response was, then we're leaving," Cavitt said.
Kim says her daughter is welcomed in many other Andersonville establishments, like the Swedish bakery, which gives out free cookies to kids, or Starbucks.
"And the way he handled it is extremely offensive. If you don't want children, great, that's great. Put a sign up that says no children allowed, not a benign thing where you are subjectively deciding what you consider to be positive behavior," said Cavitt.
But the little sign has touched a raw nerve. The New York Times called it Wednesday a culture clash between the childless and the child-centered.
Is it a sense of entitlement?
"It's a sense of my money is green and I get to have what I want," said McCauley.
"I am not sure whey people are upset the restaurant doesn't want their kids to act like a brat," said Lara Osborne, restaurant patron.
"That is really taking a stand for something," said Patrick Tully, restaurant patron.
A Taste of Heaven is not alone in doing this. Another restaurant, Toast, in Lincoln Park, has a note on the menu asking people there to use their inside voices. Many other restaurants across the nation are doing similar things.
One thing is for certain, with or without those boycotting mothers, A Taste of Heaven, with all of this attention, is going to be selling a lot more scones.
To me, that is the most annoying, and frankly, rudest aspect of parents who let their children run wild. It makes it tougher for those of us who are trying to raise our children to be polite, mature and respectful, because they see so many bad examples when they go out in public.
Ouch! Ah well, I've never used those on either my kids or my dogs. I have tethered the dogs, BAAAD dog (didn't have a crate) but I've yet to tether the kids even though I did have one teen who probably would have benefitted. I guess grounding them is similar to tethering a dog.
I have to give you two thumbs up... 6 kids??!! Heck, I'm goin gray with three!
Read #46
Maybe they should put up a sign that says:
PLEASE CONTAIN YOUR CHILDREN, CONTAINERS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
My mom used to tie me a highline when we were camping, but that was more of a portable fence than a punishment :~D
I do not go out much, but when I do, and I do see kids acting unruly, what amazes me the most is some parents total oblivious of their kids behavior! For no other reason then just plain decency and common courtesy I restrain mine. Heck, who knows... maybe there will come a time that kids are not allowed in 3 star and above eatery's...
Seven kids, and the 8th is due in January. And I just colored my hair brown again this weekend :-).
that would be "CAGES"... lol...
I'm sure that's true. I fly about every two or three years, and I have great sympathy for people who have to do it often.
So was I ... and not so long ago that I don't remember it. We put up with a certain amount of cat-like behavior, because as long as it's not heading for permanent damage or jail, we know they'll outgrow it.
8! well, all I can say is Love is in the air over your-way!! If you can afford it, and the kids are developing a mental foundation that is strong for today's social matters, bless y'all...
I have to share with you, one of the things that recently got me almost in tears...(but don't tell my buds here I'm getting mushy...) My middle one, Sydney, banged her large toe on the leg of the chair in the kitchen and let out a real good wail and then a non-breathing cry... My wife and I both ran to her rescue from other points in the house, and after we got her to catch her breath, she explained that she just kicked the chair and hurt her...Get this..."Thumb Toe"!! lol... boy I about died!
Good for the owner. If these self-centered, child-enabling parents can't keep control of their little brats while eating out, they should STAY HOME!
The picture at the top of my profile just shows the oldest six.
Great story! We have catastrophes like that almost every day.
Hi Tax-Chick:
It's been a while.
Hey, can you send some babydust my way, husband and I have been trying for number two for two years. It's become very discouraging. :(
Jacqueline
Wish I could! Have you tried wine and cheese? I always have to EAT to be pregnant (not to mention for the next nine months ...).
Wine and cheese.....hmmmm never heard of that before. But I love both, so it wouldn't be any hardship for me. LOL
We never have problems with our brood in public, either.
When people ask us how we do it, our answer is simple:
In our house, the reward for good behaviour is no punishment.
Everyone over 65 nods approvingly; most people under that age are shocked!
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