Rant cross posted from a friend's journal and then some
I wrote the following in a friend's journal. They were commenting how some people feel that people shouldn't bring their kids into restaurants. As a note, the person just wanted to get people's feedback on how they feel about this subject matter. I've seen similar articles in the Pioneer Press and there are actually people out in our city that feel as though families should not go to restuarants other than Pizza and fast food joints. Some even go as far as saying kids should not go shopping or go to other outings. Below is what I wrote in the blog and I added some stuff too!!
We have an active toddler. We certainly would not take Matthew to WA Frost or other fine dining establishment. But, we have taken him to Red Robin (serves booze), Outback, etc. He can act up at times and we work with it - sometimes we leave and sometimes I take him into the bathroom so we can have a little talk, come back, and try to have dinner. Sometimes it isn't the parents but the restaurant at fault.
Several months ago, we decided to go to Outback Steakhouse. We wanted to eat in the restaurant, but they seated us in the bar area (for no reason, there was plenty of seating in the restaurant). Matthew couldn't reach the table in the high chair and started to act up. We asked to be moved twice, they didn't and we finally left.
(RANT ON)
Sure Pizza parlors, Old Country Buffet, and fast food joints are great, but would you really want to eat at those places for the first 4 years of your child's life? For the people who don't have kids and who don't think they should go to restaurants with bars, find out if that restaurant has a kids menu. If they do, they are welcoming families into their establishment. Applebees, Fat Tuesdays, TGIFriday's, BW3, Green Mill, Olive Garden, etc. are all chain bar/restaurants that have kids menus. If you don't like kids, don't go to those restaurants.
I think I will stay home from now on. Afterall, I don't want to anger the general populace with my kid's behavior. I will shop online, hide from the general public and wear my badge of shame as a parent in private. It's a shame that our society feels this way, after all it is our kids that will be looking after their sorry asses when they are put into nursing homes when no one will care for them! (RANT OFF)
I've had friends ask why I have been so anti-social as of late and it's because of people who feel kids aren't welcome. I don't go to most weddings, parties, or outings because my son isn't welcome. We want to make sure our son feels love and appreciated. Getting a trustworthy babysitter is harder than you think. We have a small handful of people that we like and they are usually invited to the same parties. It's hard being a parent. My son is great and I've sacreficed a lot for him, but he's worth it. We are responsible parents, our friend's are responsible parents, but the irresponsible parents give the all parents a bad reputation.
We have an active toddler. We certainly would not take Matthew to WA Frost or other fine dining establishment. But, we have taken him to Red Robin (serves booze), Outback, etc. He can act up at times and we work with it - sometimes we leave and sometimes I take him into the bathroom so we can have a little talk, come back, and try to have dinner. Sometimes it isn't the parents but the restaurant at fault.
Several months ago, we decided to go to Outback Steakhouse. We wanted to eat in the restaurant, but they seated us in the bar area (for no reason, there was plenty of seating in the restaurant). Matthew couldn't reach the table in the high chair and started to act up. We asked to be moved twice, they didn't and we finally left.
(RANT ON)
Sure Pizza parlors, Old Country Buffet, and fast food joints are great, but would you really want to eat at those places for the first 4 years of your child's life? For the people who don't have kids and who don't think they should go to restaurants with bars, find out if that restaurant has a kids menu. If they do, they are welcoming families into their establishment. Applebees, Fat Tuesdays, TGIFriday's, BW3, Green Mill, Olive Garden, etc. are all chain bar/restaurants that have kids menus. If you don't like kids, don't go to those restaurants.
I think I will stay home from now on. Afterall, I don't want to anger the general populace with my kid's behavior. I will shop online, hide from the general public and wear my badge of shame as a parent in private. It's a shame that our society feels this way, after all it is our kids that will be looking after their sorry asses when they are put into nursing homes when no one will care for them! (RANT OFF)
I've had friends ask why I have been so anti-social as of late and it's because of people who feel kids aren't welcome. I don't go to most weddings, parties, or outings because my son isn't welcome. We want to make sure our son feels love and appreciated. Getting a trustworthy babysitter is harder than you think. We have a small handful of people that we like and they are usually invited to the same parties. It's hard being a parent. My son is great and I've sacreficed a lot for him, but he's worth it. We are responsible parents, our friend's are responsible parents, but the irresponsible parents give the all parents a bad reputation.