I was reading an article today about a restaurant in Pennsylvania that is banning children under the age of 6. This kind of upsets me. Probably because I’m the mother of 2 children under the age of 6. But mostly because my children do not behave badly in restaurants. Yes my 3 year old and my 5 month old behave while in restaurants. If they don’t then we go for a walk or figure out a way to calm the situation down.
Where Do We Draw The Line?
If this move is being made in a casual dining establishment because of some complaints about noisy children, then what about noisy adults? I know I have complained about a noisy party that has gotten out of control because they are drinking. Will they ban adults too? Well, obviously not because then no one would be able to come into the restaurant.
Why cut off at the age of 6? Maybe teenagers are too rowdy. I have seen 6 year old’s act out in restaurants too. So where does it end?
Now of course the owner has the right to refuse service to people, but I have to wonder does this make good business sense? Yes, everyone deserves a nice dining experience. This is why I stress table manners with my children. This is why I bring things to keep my children entertained while they wait.
A few months ago when my youngest was just about 2 months old we went out to a restaurant as a family. A person actually came up and complimented me on how well behaved my children are.
Finding A Compromise
I don’t know, maybe I am in the minority. I don’t think I am though. Not all children are allowed to run around screaming like animals when they go to restaurants. Some parents actually have control over their children and know how to keep them in check. Why not put a warning instead that if you or your party becomes disruptive, then you will be asked to leave? That way you aren’t just singling out the young children. You are covering the drunk party, the rowdy teenagers, and the parents who don’t know to take their toddler out of the room when they are getting too tired of sitting still. We are talking a casual dining restaurant. I just don’t know when those places became off limits to young children. How else will they learn to behave in a restaurant if they aren’t allowed in them until they are 6?
So what do you think? Should children under 6 be banned from a casual dining restaurant? Or would a better ban be that any disruptive customer will be asked to leave at owners discretion?
