Complaints about kids at restaurants

[apostolic4life]

Excellent post. I completely agree. And I'd like to add that it makes DH and I feel so good when an older couple without kids stops at our table to tell us what good girls we have. I always appreciate that these people take time out of their meal to tell us this. So kind! DH and I have worked hard to bring our girls up to understand proper table etiquette. When they were younger and throwing a fit, we'd leave the restaurant till they had calmed down. If they didn't calm down, I'd take them out to the car and DH would pay our bill and box up our food.

Yes, I agree about the older folks......we get that alot too!! It makes us feel good to know the ones who have been through it before, approve of the job we are doing today, even if they are strangers. It doesn't matter how successful I am in my career or trivial pursuits if I fail in teaching my children to be good people and to do the right thing!!!

 

[patsal]

Appropriately behaved children are fine. Those that fuss, crawl under my table, draw on the table cloths, think they are amusing me by circling my table for attention, do not bring much enjoyment to me!

I have two grown children. They were always taken to fine dining establishments. It is there that they learned how to order appropriately, interact and respond to others and enjoy new experiences. If they were less than appropriately behaved they knew they would be taken out immediately and lose the privledge of joining us whe we dined out. I guess that was enough of a threat, as I never had to remove them. As a parent you need to be in tune with what your child can handle and when they can handle it. If they were tired or over stimulated from something early in the day I always just skipped taking them out as it would prove to be an undesireable outcome. I never wanted to impose on someone else's evening just becasue I was too selfish to allow my children to sleep when they needed to.

 

[MusiqChic99]

My son threw a fit in Coral Reef. Basicially he just didn't want to sit down. He wanted to be up walking around. He even crawled under the table. I crawled under there, pulled him out and carried him to the bathroom. I talked to him a bit and then took me back to the table where he sat sit the whole time after. The server even came over and gave him some things to keep him occupied. (he was 2 at the time)

I'm sorry to those who had to endure his meltdown for the 3 minutes I allowed him to have one while in the resturant. However, I do know that we won't do the Dining Plan again until he is older. My son normally always sits good but I think being the parks is enough of a distraction that sitting in a nice resturant just doesn't seem appealing to some kids. He was great at all the the places we went to though as he normally is. He just didnt' want to sit then!

 

[bluejasmine]

My son threw a fit in Coral Reef. Basicially he just didn't want to sit down. He wanted to be up walking around. He even crawled under the table. I crawled under there, pulled him out and carried him to the bathroom. I talked to him a bit and then took me back to the table where he sat sit the whole time after. The server even came over and gave him some things to keep him occupied. (he was 2 at the time)

I'm sorry to those who had to endure his meltdown for the 3 minutes I allowed him to have one while in the resturant. However, I do know that we won't do the Dining Plan again until he is older. My son normally always sits good but I think being the parks is enough of a distraction that sitting in a nice resturant just doesn't seem appealing to some kids. He was great at all the the places we went to though as he normally is. He just didnt' want to sit then!

No see your case is different, you did something about it you left the room with him to calm him down! Honestly I expect to see some melt downs with kids when at WDW the problem only comes in when parents do absolutely nothing and let everyone around suffer..

 

[crisi]

I agree, I have no problem with well behaved children.

In my experience, small children are unpredictable. Some older children are unpredictable.

When your children misbehave, the polite and responsible thing to do is remove them from the restaurant.

If your children are unpredictible, I wonder who would want to risk a signature meal eaten out of a styrofoam box in their hotel room when the toddler melts down as the entree arrives. It just doesn't seem fair to yourself or the quality of the experience.

And Disney signature places aren't that great. I'm not saying they are. But they are good enough that they are worth taking your time to enjoy. Not many young kids are going to predictably give you that time.

 

[crisi]

My son threw a fit in Coral Reef. Basicially he just didn't want to sit down. He wanted to be up walking around. He even crawled under the table. I crawled under there, pulled him out and carried him to the bathroom. I talked to him a bit and then took me back to the table where he sat sit the whole time after. The server even came over and gave him some things to keep him occupied. (he was 2 at the time)

I'm sorry to those who had to endure his meltdown for the 3 minutes I allowed him to have one while in the resturant. However, I do know that we won't do the Dining Plan again until he is older. My son normally always sits good but I think being the parks is enough of a distraction that sitting in a nice resturant just doesn't seem appealing to some kids. He was great at all the the places we went to though as he normally is. He just didnt' want to sit then!

Not only did you take action, it was Coral Reef, not Flying Fish.

Grownups with small kids do need a place to sit down at eat - and maybe have an adult beverage if so inclined (after all, Disney with young kids is stressful for parents), a week of chicken nuggets and burgers gets old.

 

[disneysarge156]

I think we are all in agreement that none of us like "extreme" behavior. For example, laying on someone's table watching the fish and the mother not doing anything about it (That's crazy). Kids are going to make noises, cry and some other things. As parents it's our job to correct the behavior or remove them from the table. However, don't give me a dirty look because I am walking into the California Grill with my 3 year old and 8 year old. They are well behaved. When they are not, I do something about it.

 

[j&j620]

I'm a mom of 3 and I don't like misbehaving children in restaurants. It makes the meal unpleasant and makes my job of parenting 10xs harder. My kids know how to act and behave in restaurants, but when they see Johnny and Mary running around, screaming and throwing things it makes them want to do the same. Of course they know better but I still get the BUT MOMMMMMMM. I see so many people use so many excuses for their kids behavior and I always just sit and shake my head. One of the big ones is well they could be ASD or ADHD or who knows what. Well my DD is ASD with ADHD and she KNOWS how to act. It took a lot of removing her from the situation before she GOT how she was supposed to act. I ate a lot of cold meals but I'll be darned if I will use her disability as a crutch for her poor behavior and an excuse for me to just sit there and let her act poorly. DO I have to be stern with her sometimes and do I have to remove her from things until she can calm and regulate herself? You betcha. Does it make life harder for me? Yep! But thats what I feel I have to do to be a responsible parent. I HAVE to think about others then myself and what makes me happy and my life easier.

I know last year we went to WDW and we had a ressie for Flying Fish. DH and I were so excited to try it. That day DD had a bad morning. I knew she would not last for any sit down meal. So I called up and canceled. I was a little upset but you know what we sat someplace quiet for a bit and we did some of her calming techniques and we were able to really enjoy a meal at Beaches and Cream. It wasn't FF but we all had a blast and all the kids got such a kick out of eating the Kitchen Sink.

I think what you did is very commendable! Sometimes, it seems like we are living in what I affectionately call the "Age of Entitlement." There are many people who I'm sure would not have made the decision to cancel the reservation, using the excuse, "It's my vacation, too, and I deserve this dinner!" Becoming a parent requires a level of selflessness and sacrifice and I'm not sure everyone truly realizes that!

 

[pixarmom]

We have three boys and the older two are extremely well behaved - and always have been - in all different types of restaurants. I would not hesitate for a moment to take them to Disney signature restaurants or anywhere else. We set reasonable expectations and they follow them - it's great.

Our youngest - a pre-schooler - has some difficulties. The difficulties may be related to his disability, or they may just be his personality. We have to give some thought to the environment and help him to be successful - not expecting him to sit through a 2-hour meal and allowing him to color, etc. Disney restaurants usually serve quickly enough and have enough stimuli that we don't have a problem. In fact, he responds well to stimuli and so Disney is a great environment for him. But he has had meltdowns outside of Disney, and when he does, we remove him immediately and stand outside calmly until he is able to calm down.

So I get what many of the posters are saying about poor behavior. But the fact that a child has a meltdown isn't always the result of poor parenting. I do hope that parents respond with thoughtful, research-based approaches to negative behavior. But at Disney, particularly for the purpose of enjoying our vacation, we try to give the benefit of the doubt whenever possible!! Seriously - I've found this really helps us enjoy our trip!

 

[luvthemouse71]

I don't mind kids in general at restaurants. However, there are some parents that don't teach their kids proper manners either. It's the kids throwing food, running around and being loud that I mind. I'm talking about kids old enough to know better, BTW. But then again, if the parents themselves have no manners, how can you expect the kids to know how to behave..

I also see nothing wrong with having a few restaurants that are adults only, or at least have a seating area that is adult only..this could solve a lot of problems.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I'm a mom of 3 and I don't like misbehaving children in restaurants. It makes the meal unpleasant and makes my job of parenting 10xs harder. My kids know how to act and behave in restaurants, but when they see Johnny and Mary running around, screaming and throwing things it makes them want to do the same. Of course they know better but I still get the BUT MOMMMMMMM. I see so many people use so many excuses for their kids behavior and I always just sit and shake my head. One of the big ones is well they could be ASD or ADHD or who knows what. Well my DD is ASD with ADHD and she KNOWS how to act. It took a lot of removing her from the situation before she GOT how she was supposed to act. I ate a lot of cold meals but I'll be darned if I will use her disability as a crutch for her poor behavior and an excuse for me to just sit there and let her act poorly. DO I have to be stern with her sometimes and do I have to remove her from things until she can calm and regulate herself? You betcha. Does it make life harder for me? Yep! But thats what I feel I have to do to be a responsible parent. I HAVE to think about others then myself and what makes me happy and my life easier.

I know last year we went to WDW and we had a ressie for Flying Fish. DH and I were so excited to try it. That day DD had a bad morning. I knew she would not last for any sit down meal. So I called up and canceled. I was a little upset but you know what we sat someplace quiet for a bit and we did some of her calming techniques and we were able to really enjoy a meal at Beaches and Cream. It wasn't FF but we all had a blast and all the kids got such a kick out of eating the Kitchen Sink.

You are my hero...

 

[tpholland]

9 times out of 10 it is the parents of the children that I have a problem with. Well behaved children are a delight...and I certainly don't expect any child to have perfect behavior.

The problem is typically the parents.

1) parents who push their exhausted children too far

or

2) parents who don't want to get up from their meal... to take their children out of the restaurant when they are being disruptive.

Disco!! That is exactly how I feel about it. Children don't know any better if no one has ever bothered to teach them any better.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I've noticed some people on these boards rip, flame, whatever you call it, parents who want to bring their kids to the nicer WDW restaurants. I know Victoria and Alberts is adults only and I like that, but a restaurant like the California Grill is very family friendly. The staff cater to kids that dine there. One waiter actually cut a little girls steak at the table next to us. I have 1 question for the people who thumb there noses at the families like eat at the nicer restaurants. Do you think the kids get irritated when people without kids eat at the character meals? WDW is a fantastic family place thats is meant for EVERYONE!. Sorry for the rant, I overheard a couple saying how rude these parents were that brought their kids to the Yachtsman Steakhouse. The kids were great!

Okay, I have read this whole thread and the thread about kids at Shula's. I haven't seen one poster who has actually came out and said babies/children are not welcome at a WDW restaurant. Do they really say this? Where are the threads. I did notice that the majority of the posters here agree that they don't mind the baby/child in the restaurant, just want them properly behaved or disciplined.

So I guess I was just wondering where these non-children posts are?

 

[princessallegra]

I agree that children who behave properly are not an issue. Children who do NOT behave properly are the ones I have a problem with.

Kids who run through restaurants, banging into other people's chairs are a problem.

Kids who roll around on the floor are a problem.

Kids who scream for a prolonged period are a problem.

By the same token, selfish parents are also a problem. There are some parents who seem to believe that they are ENTITLED to sit for 2 hours and linger over their meals while their children run, roll, and scream. I have read more than one thread where folks were being disturbed by REALLY unruly children but the waitstaff/managers were reluctant to approach the parents.

We love to dine at signature restaurants. That experience should not include children behaving like they are at a McDonald's play land.

To everything.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

California Grill has been loaded with kids every time I've dined there, it has the most children at any given time, of any of the signature restarants except Cinderella's Royal Table (which to me isn't a signature rest).

I've eaten both early meals and late meals there, and there are always children present.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I don't think even Cruella can complain about the mere presence of children. It is when their behavior interferes with my dining experience. Then I have an issue with it.

Other than that, won't impact me in the slightest.

I also have to say, my tolerance diminishes based on location. Signature dining? Not so much

Character meal at MK, you kinda expect more children and a different sound level. If they scream and have a meltdown, then that is over the top for me too

YMMV

 

[LisaInNc]

It's not the kids people should have the problem with it's the parents that don't parent them.

I don't mind children but I always hope they behave.

Truthfully I would rather be sitting next to a family with a few kids than a tableful of women that are drinking. Twice our fine dining has been interrupted by a table of women shrieking with laughter the more they drink. You know those girls...the ones that scream over anything.

Lisa

 

[Jgetterman]

My last visit to California Grill was ruined due to an out of control kid, and oblivious parents. We were seated right next to them, and this kid was running around not only his table, but our as well. The child was lying on the floor coloring, got nearly stepped on by the hostess seating another couple. The hostess nicely told to the kid to watch out. Meanwhile, the kid’s parents were enjoying a bottle of wine. As their refill of drinks was coming out, the kid ran into the waiter and spilled their drinks all over. The parents got upset not at the kid, but the waiter for not paying attention.

Sometimes I think the parent need the "kid" menu. I just don't get it

 

[dismom75]

Any child normally well behaved or not may have an episode that can be disruptive and unpredicted. I speak for one of the parents who does their best to prevent the situation by planning, short trips to the parks and then naps before dinner and removing my children when distracting. However, I just don't see how people can judge parenting skills based on one situation.....ie....if you are sitting at lunch at Peco Bill's and your spouse takes one child to the bathroom...you have another finishing lunch and your 3rd is "done" and starts getting fidgety and whining....you can't just leave the other child at the table. When you are at Disney World you should expect to be around kids and expect to run into typical kid "meltdowns", etc and also understand that parents can't just snap their fingers and make the situation go away. That is the reason that the world has family destinations and adult resorts as well as adult only restaurants at Disney. Please cut the parents who are trying a break as the situation is probably stressing them out a lot more then you.

Happy Traveling!

My thoughts exactly. My son is normally very well behaved while eating out at restaurants. But there are definitely times when meltdowns happen. Kids are so unpreditable and any little thing could set them off (especially with all of the overstimulation of Disney). And, with a toddler, it may be difficult for them to tell you what's really going on or upsetting them. We try our best to keep those meltdowns at bay. And, I totally agree that the parents are most likely more stressed out than others around them. It stresses me out just reading how many people are "watching" my parenting skills while at a restaurant!

 

[crisi]

So let me see if I understand.....only people in signature restaurants should expect children & parents to be on their best behavior??? Tongue planted firmly in cheek!! I don't care if I am in Subway or at Charlie Trotter's, my kids should display manners and respect, and I, as a parent, should take action if they do not! Just my two cents on that topic.

No, everyone should always be on their best behavior. But it isn't reasonable to expect small kids never to melt down - it isn't something they or their parents really control.

But I do sort of expect parents of SMALL children to do the risk analysis of a melt down before they book a signature restaurant. Not that I judge them when a melt down occurs - it could be one of those strange one-offs. But if little Dominic is tantrum prone, sit down dining at all might be stretching it...signature dining - you are doing yourself, your child, the restuarnt staff, and the other restaurant patrons no favors to even give it a shot. The meal simply takes too long and is often a special occasion for other patrons.