No Kids Allowed!

According to the Today Show, there’s a new revolution and it has the country divided. It was dragged into the headlines when a restaurant in Pennsylvania decided to ban children under the age of six years old. They joined an ever-increasing number of businesses that are taking a stand against bad parenting, and I say “About time.”

I am the parent of two teenaged girls and I will be the first to admit my kids are not perfect. When they were younger, I have had to leave restaurants and stores because they were in meltdown mode or just behaving inappropriately. My husband and I worked hard to make sure our girls had good manners and were respectful and we also accepted that there are some places kids are not appreciated.

I am often amazed at what some parents have decided is acceptable. The way I see it, if a restaurant does not have a children’s menu, they are not catering to Junior’s penchant for chicken nuggets, and fellow diners did not pay $30 for an entrée to have their enjoyment ruined by Junior throwing a hissy fit because he can’t get what he wants, or is bored, or tired, or just a brat. Until Junior learns some table manners, why not stay home, or go to Friendlys?

While we are on the subject, if you are going to the movies and are not seeing something animated or PG13, please spring for a babysitter. I have been to movies where people have brought toddlers who kept themselves entertained by running up and down the stairs while the movie was playing. Just because the teen taking your ticket money did not stop you from taking your kid in does not make it okay. Here’s a newsflash; eventually movies come out on DVD, so people with kids can watch in the comfort of their own home and leave the rest of us to enjoy our movie in peace.

I have been watching this debate grow, and watching people fight about it on Facebook. It has some moms indignant saying they would boycott those businesses, somehow I don’t think this is a cause for alarm; I’m sure just as many people will be lining up in support.

Oh and now I’m on a roll, so can we ban cell phones from restaurants and movie theaters, too?