In light of the "mean to my 4 year old thread"... what would you think about this?

[mjkacmom]

That's just wrong. I don't think she was in danger of being kidnapped, but other people want to enjoy their meal without some kid bothering them, and kids are accidents waiting to happen when it comes to the servers. My kids stay seated, and behave - all I have to do is give them "the look."

 

[luvmy3]

I don't. It's a public place and we all need to watch out for each other. Perhaps we need to slow our pace down a bit if a casual restaurant is a 'dangerous' place for a child to be walking around. I'm not a fan of fast paced people to begin with-those who weave in and out of traffic to get ahead, those who park illegally because they're in a hurry, those who place stress on others to satisfy their own expectations....all of 'em are on my 'special people' list. Slow down folks, let's enjoy the little ones and calmly, slowly eat our meals. If I want a quick meal, I pop a microwave dinner in the box. If you're in a hurry, make a peanut butter sandwich. Sit back, look around and enjoy humanity - or- stay home. At least, that's my opinion.

What

I'm not talking about people walking around, I'm talking about the servers carrying their large trays of hot food, and trays of drinks in glasses who may not see a small child over the tray in their hand. They are running back and forth to the kitchen and bar and back to the tables and at anytime a child weaving in and out of their way could cause an accident. Sorry it has nothing to do with being fast paced, and no its not everybody elses job to watch out for a child roaming around a restaurant. I'm focused on my own kids sitting at my own table, I'm not there to keep an eye on and enjoy anyone elses, no matter what their expectation is

 

[mhsjax]

Although I would never have allowed this with my child, I'm not suprised and I would not have been annoyed. I would not have spoken to her parents either. I guess I'm immune to children behaving badly but I have to say that this child was only guilty of behaving precociously and really not in any danger. In my family, if a child needs conversation or needs to leave the table, one of the adults in our party takes care of it. I just can not judge these people. Their child may grow up to be a very savvy and confident adult which is soooo not the case for many children who are not allowed to stretch or have any freedoms. There is argument for either extreme I guess. (Not saying you're overprotective PD, you have never seemed like it to me, just saying there are others out there who are.)

Having a child stretch and have freedom in a restaurant with servers carrying hot food is not appropriate. YES there is danger, you don't think that hot coffee or hot food can burn, and not only the child but maybe the server or some other innocent patron, I can't believe that you are suggesting that what this child did is ok.

 

[Jsme]

I think it is extremely rude to allow your child to just roam around a restaruant. But the worse part is that this is not safe at all!!! Anyone sick person in the restaruant could have observed her activity and waited to grab her.

I have 2 children. Now they are teenagers. But when they were little we stopped going out when they became the age that they fought constantly. I decided not to waste the money or others by my children.