Posted on 11/14/2005 5:51:48 AM PST by Cagey
Parent Says Restaurant Offers Kid Food, So It Should Cater To Kids
"We were surprised at how many times we would see children really out of control," McCauley said. "And we actually had people leaving the bakery because the children were so out of control."
So, he put a sign on the door at kids' eye-level, asking children of all ages to use their "indoor voices."
"We thought it was just a friendly reminder to people that when they come here, just be considerate of the people around them. We had no idea the kind of controversy that was going to explode out of this," McCauley said.
But some parents who spoke with NBC5's Natalie Martinez took immediate offense to the sign. The angry mothers said there are plenty of places in the Andersonville neighborhood where they can take their kids, even if they're acting out.
"I've e-mailed friends and said, 'Just so you know, this man has a sign up. I know there are lots of other options, and I'd encourage you not to go there,'" parent Kate Bremmer said.
When she spoke with Martinez, Bremmer and her kids were picking out goodies at a Swedish bakery, where all kids are welcome.
"Our custom has been to offer a cookie to every child that comes into the store for as long as I can remember," said Kathy Stanton-Cromwell, the co-owner of the bakery, which is just a few doors down from A Taste of Heaven.
Stanton-Cromwell said the cookie serves as "a good calmer" for kids who are acting up.
Bremmer said A Taste of Heaven "is not a five-star restaurant," so she thinks it should cater to kids, not the other way around.
"They offer ice cream cones and cookies and lots things that kids love, and therefore, I don't think that they should make such an issue of it," Bremmer said.
Other parents enjoying lunch with their kids at A Taste of Heaven were more diplomatic.
"I have mixed feelings about it. It's a little off-putting," one mother said.
Linda Wallace, also a mother who eats at A Taste of Heaven, said she thought McCauley was "sort of brave" for putting up the sign.
"It did cross my mind that he might offend some people," she said.
McCauley said he loves kids, although he has none of his own. He said he has no immediate plans to take the sign down.
Working parents that don't cook.
Funny, but my kids never liked eating out and they still don't. (25, 20 and 18) They tell me they prefer MY food. Lucky me :(
Children who are taught to behave at an early age do not get banned from internet forums later on in life.
It's been a very long time since I had a one year old, but I assure you that when I did, they knew better than to do things like scream at the table and toss food on the floor. Additionally, they would not be up and walking around a restaurant (and yes, 2 of my boys were walking quite well by one). Of course, they were accustomed to eating at the table as a family from the time they were old enough to sit up in a high chair. Part of it is most certainly mimicking what they see around them.
But one year olds can certainly learn things. They aren't stupid and they do have some self control.
I suspect a one year old who is screaming (I don't mean babbling, I mean screaming) has learned that this will get them something they want, be it a french fry or Mom's attention as she says, "Oh my, please don't scream, Mommy doesn't want you to scream...." ad nauseum.
susie
I had an AWFUL experience about a month ago; I took my second grandsons to karate class when the new baby came; we got there early because I wasn't sure how to get there and the boys were playing with a ball, just rolling it between them on the floor.
It wasn't long before some other parents showed up with their kids and let them completely run wild while they were on their cellphones; one of the little bullies took the ball away from my kids and sort of played "keep away" from them, actually taunting them, while their mothers stared in the opposite directions.
I wasn't sure what I, as the grandmother, should do (I think you know what I would have done...LOL) because I didn't know for sure if they were friends of my stepdaughters or not -- and (believe it or not) I didn't want to make a scene in front of MY kids) -- I just wasn't sure of the "social dynamics," you know?
Shortly before class, the oldest one developed a "stomach ache" and didn't want to go into class; I decided not to make a big deal out of it and we just went grocery shopping.
It was a weird feeling for ME not to jump somebody, but I just wasn't sure how to handle it.
This letting the children run wild in quasi-public places started maybe 35 years ago. They have ruined millions of expensive dinner experiences since.
My mom is a sweet woman. But all it took for me to shut up was the screeching voice she used when she was mad at me. It was like she became a different person.
oooo I hate evil typos and brain glitches. I should have said: It didn't take many times of removing them from the restaurant before they got the idea.
Which still sounds illiterate, but at least it says what I meant! ;)
susie
that would be weird, i can see why you were afraid to jump these people that might turn out to be your stepdaughter's friends, but my inclination would be to do just what you were wanting to do, and tell the little snots to leave your grandbabies alone!
So now it is offensive to teach children manners and socially acceptable behavior? If that attitude prevails, the chaos in this country now is nothing compared to what it will be in another 10-20 years. I guess this mom wouldn't like my opinion very much. "If you can't (or won't) control your brats, stay at home with them."
ROFLMAO!
Ah, but one day, you will wake up and they will be adults who you really enjoy having around! Keept at it, there's gold at the end of that rainbow!
susie
You have to understand, the sucker punch is the coward's tool, or the bully's tool. It's essentially getting a real quick an powerful blow in, while the other guy (read: victim) has no idea there is going to be a fight. You can sucker punch anyone, there's no real trick to it. It just takes a low-life scumbag to do it.
I'm not arguing that some kids rule their parents. I'm arguing that sometimes even the best kids in the world can be unruly.
I know someone who worked at ChuckECheese when she was a teenager. She was Chuckee.
She said the kids were ALWAYS hellions and seemingly "allowed" to act that way (by the parents) since it was usually a birthday party. She could not count the times kids would run up and punch her or kick her or pull her "tail," spit at her, etc. They just assumed it was OK to abuse a rat and their mommies didn't tell them to behave differently.
If I were on the jury I'd vote to acquit.
Interesting idea, and one that has merit. I'm still so busy making further corrections, that I don't see the part of the rock that's already polished.
In my case though, it's more of a matter of both my wife and being only children. I have a brother, but he's 18 years my senior. I had no sibling to rival with. Anyway...neither of us have much of a firsthand clue about this constant bickering that seems to be ever-present in the house. Luckily, they cease the behavior once they leave the house.
However, a parent does have the responsibility to stop a kid from being out of control, and IMHO there is a big difference between a kid being a kid and a kid who's out of control.
I despise bratty hellions and their clueless parents.
I'm a TOTAL PUSHOVER, however, for that rare sweet child with good manners. I'll give him/her anything asked for.
Uh oh, am I about to get banned??? ;)
susie
A few months back I was in a grocery store aisle when a mother gave her son a swat on the behind after he started acting up. Some busybody came right up to her and said "that's child abuse!" and stormed off. When I passed her on the way to the next aisle, I said "thank you, you're doing your boy a favor", and she smiled. Farking liberals.
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