No Whining and Dining For Tots

Posted by Debate Mom

We’ve all been there. We’ve all been “that” parent with “that” kid. You know the one…

That kid who's broken the sound barrier with her scream. The one who has the vein on the side of your head ready to explode.

When that kid is YOUR kid and you’re out at a restaurant, you’re just waiting for Super Nanny to pop out from under the table and tell you what a bad parent you are.

Well, if you’re in Georgia, one restaurant is kinda doing that for you.

Check this out. Grand  Grant Central Pizza restaurant in Atlanta has added this disclaimer to its menu, “Dear all present and future patrons: GCP is proud of its reputation as a family restaurant, a title that we will work to keep. Unfortunately a number of our diners have posted unpleasant experiences because of crying and unsupervised children. To ensure that all diners have an enjoyable lunch or dinner with us we respectfully ask that parents tend to their crying tots outside.”

Okay, hold the pepperoni. Is this a joke? Nope. The owner says it’s not like he’s anti-kid, he’s just had so many complaints, he had to do something. Apparently there was one incident in which a kid hit another customer in the head with a toy. Wait a second while I stop laughing!

We all like to go out to eat and relax. While a screaming kid may not be what you ordered, it may be what you get when you go out in public. It’s just the chance you take. It’s like going to the mall - you’re bound to find a screaming child there who didn’t get that toy he had to have. Have you ever seen a store put up a disclaimer like this restaurant's? I haven’t.

This disclaimer really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Should parents not bring their child to a restaurant for fear he may act up? Absolutely not!  While I understand this guy is just trying to protect his business, I really think he needs to lighten up. He says he hasn’t gotten any complaints about the disclaimer, but I find that hard to believe.

If you’re afraid a screaming child will ruin your dinner, stay home. No one can predict where and when a kid may lose it. As a parent you try to discipline your child the best you can. But sometimes it’s just out of your control. If I went to a place like this I would walk out, but not before I told my kid to hurl a breadstick at someone. 

Does this guy think the parents like it when their kids act up? Doesn’t he think the parents would like to enjoy their meal too? Give Mom and Dad a break dude!

Would you eat at a place that had this kind of disclaimer? Let me know! Bon Appétit!

3 back to preschool

Comments (2)

Mom of 2
June 21, 2012
Does this restaurant owner insist that adults who are having cell phone conversations do it outside? If they don't, does he ask them to leave? I cannot even go to the library or bookstores any longer without dealing with loud cell phone conversations. People seem reluctant to say anything about cell phone usage, yet those same people have no problem giving dirty looks and comments to families with children.
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Tina
March 17, 2012
I would absolutely eat at this restaurant! As a mother of four, I respect the other patrons right to a peaceful meal. If my child starts acting up I will take him at least to the restroom or possibly outside, depending on how bad the disturbance is. It's not like the owner has BANNED children and families from the restaurant. He's only asking that they quiet their children while in public. Isn't that a parent's responsibility? As for the comment that the parents would like to enjoy their meal too... I think maybe they would enjoy it more if THEY stayed home with their disruptive kids. Don't spoil it for the well-behaved children. And, it is certainly NOT like going to a mall where a kid is throwing a fit. A mall is expected to be a busy, noisy place. But even there, I expect my children to behave without making a scene. If they having a fit because they are tired or hungry, then I need to deal with that situation and not my own selfish desires. I have left my share of public places to deal with my child. Why should I make others suffer just because I have to? I wish more restaurants would be so bold to make this disclaimer to their menu.
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