Hmmmm. 'Destroy another foetus now, We don't like children anyhow' -- Leonard Cohen. Much as I'd like for all children to behave in public places, the fact is that, even with the best of parenting, they won't, and that screaming children are just part of life's rich tapestry. And as for those who refer to parents as 'breeders', well...
Oh, baloney. My grand nieces and nephews don't scream in public, for the simple reason it's not accepted. If they try it, they get to stay home next time--or worse. Those who scream in public do it because they know they can get away with it.
"Hmmmm. 'Destroy another foetus now, We don't like children anyhow' -- Leonard Cohen. "
Outstanding insight. Also indicates another reason why adoption isn't considered a very viable alternative to abortion given the pathetic whining about crumb crunchers on this thread.
I've seen my share of bad parenting in public, but folks kids are going to be kids, and its true that kids and parents are being nanny-stated into a corner in most cases, especially in dining options.
If you want kids to learn how to eat in public places, then they need to be taken to restaurants where people other than kids eat.
The comments about being 'forced' into using upscale eateries to 'avoid children' is the very best one on this thread. I've got McDonalds and Red Robin here in Western Washington as options.
Chuckie Cheese is an option if you want to suffer the horrible food and the fact that they are there to play the games anyway. Beyond that, what? Where else can I go that I won't run into some uppity idiot shooting me dirty looks because my kids are happy about what they just colored on their placemat?
People, keep in mind that if we stop having kids, you baby-boomers especially are going to be making some interesting choices between dog food and home heating bills, since the libs don't want to fix either medicare or social security. 75% of people about the age of 50 have saved less than $5,000 toward retirement.
As far as I'm concerned, if my three year old is going to be keeping you in depends and reruns of American Idol in some home somewhere, you can take the occasional squeal and ram it home uncomfortably.
Next time you hear a three year old screaming somewhere in your serene pageantry of epicurean rapture, just satisfy yourself with the words of Humbert Humphrey, "They don't know it yet, but we're going to tax the hell out of them."
Revenge, a dish served cold, like ice cream, right?