Is it okay to change a baby’s diaper at a table?

[roomthreeseventeen]

I don't understand why the parents weren't asked to leave immediately.

 

[jrmasm]

I've never seen a highchair at any Starbucks.

Me either

Well add that to the no changing stations in the bathroom and the message should be pretty clear about whether they want kids in their establishments or not.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Do Starbucks locations generally have highchairs?

No, but they do have a kids menu.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Well add that to the no changing stations in the bathroom and the message should be pretty clear about whether they want kids in their establishments or not.

…or, given the fact that the vast majority of Starbucks have very limited seating, that they don’t want anyone around for very long.

 

[kevschickee]

…or, given the fact that the vast majority of Starbucks have very limited seating, that they don’t want anyone around for very long.

I think that's exactly what it is

 

[Social Worker Sue]

No, but they do have a kids menu.

Some do not.

 

[npmommie]

Oh my! Agreed so many things wrong with this story.
Honest to goodness I preferred to change my kids in the hatchback of our Jeep I kept a changing pad, wipes and extra diapers in a storage box in the back and when we were out (depending on the place) I would choose to go to the car so that I knew the space was a bit cleaner for my child. That worked totally fine 7 months out of the year but on those freezing cold days it was not such a good option. I do not care what kind of vibe you are trying to portray I think every business should have to have a changing table in the restroom. To ensure *everyone* has a decent place to take care of their bathroom needs! I despise age discrimination so much...... it is still discrimination against another human being plain and simple.

This is me as well. I always avoided those changing tables at all costs! but I didn't change in a restaurant seat. those are dirty too, LOL. I went to the car also.

I don't.

Some places are not meant for children. My favorite restaurant does not have anything child related and I am so happy for that

starbucks isn't meant for children?? it isnt that high falutin, LOL

 

[lizzi6692]

No, but they do have a kids menu.

There's a difference between kids who would get something off the menu(at least I hope so) and babies/toddlers who need changing tables and high chairs. Honestly if Starbucks doesn't provide either one of those they're probably trying to discourage parents from bringing very young kids there.

 

[Social Worker Sue]

starbucks isn't meant for children?? it isnt that high falutin, LOL

Oh my. I never said that. Didn't even come close to saying that I was responding to a poster that said EVERY establishment should have a changing table. To which I responded that some places are not meant for children.

Sometimes I am not in the mood for children. And I am a mother

 

[kevschickee]

Oh my. I never said that. Didn't even come close to saying that

I did say that I enjoy my local Starbucks that does not have a changing table/ kid's menu.

Sometimes I am not in the mood for children. And I am a mother

I hear ya!!! I go out alone to get away from children.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Some do not.

http://www.starbucks.com/menu/catalog/product?drink=kids-drinks-and-other#view_control=product


Items on the "Kids Drinks" are available at every Starbucks, whether they have it posted on a menu board or not. They also don't list Short or Tall sizes on the menu board at a lot of locations, but they are still available. They also have juice boxes and Horizons milk boxes in the cold case.

There's a difference between kids who would get something off the menu(at least I hope so) and babies/toddlers who need changing tables and high chairs. Honestly if Starbucks doesn't provide either one of those they're probably trying to discourage parents from bringing very young kids there.

My DS is two and he eats and drinks items from Starbucks, even though he is still in diapers and would use a highchair if one was available. I have never felt discouraged from bringing my kids into a Starbucks, whether I'm just getting items to go, or want to sit for a snack.

Parents who would put their kids' feces on a table are gross. But don't use them to say that no parents should bring their kids into places.

 

[anniemae]

I agree with one of the pp. I don't think it's that they don't want kids there, I think it's more that they want you "in and out." I have not been to Starbucks in ages so I don't really know the vibe, but the last time I was there it was mostly people grabbing coffee and running out the door, which is exactly what I did! There was a small seating area with a few seats.

I read an interview with the manager at one of our local Paneras and he talked about how they really want people to linger, and it shows. They have big soft chairs to sit and relax in, free wifi, full menu plus a bakery section, small intimate groupings of chairs, a cozy fireplace. They also offer high chairs, not sure about changing station. I guess it comes down to the kind of clientele the establishment wants to cater to.

 

[Wendy31]

No, but they do have a kids menu.

But are their kids' menus posted? I know there is a kid's hot chocolate, but I've never seen any other specifically kid's drink posted on their menu.

&or, given the fact that the vast majority of Starbucks have very limited seating, that they dont want anyone around for very long.

That's probably pretty accurate.

This is me as well. I always avoided those changing tables at all costs! but I didn't change in a restaurant seat. those are dirty too, LOL. I went to the car also.

starbucks isn't meant for children?? it isnt that high falutin, LOL

I totally agree w/ you on the changing tables - we always went to our car or changed our kids' diapers in their strollers in an out of the way place. I couldn't even begin to tell you which restaurants have changing tables & which don't.

Disney is the only place I've ever used a changing table - we would take younger DS to the Baby Care Stations.

However, I don't think the PP meant that Starbuck's isn't necessarily intended for children.

It's just that some places are more accommodating to children than others.

And, if a place isn't accommodating (doesn't provide things like changing tables) to children, this doesn't give a parent a right to change his/her child's diaper at a table.

And, if Starbucks wants to foster a more adult environment, what's wrong w/ that?

I'm sure the people gathered there for book club meets or study groups or computer research appreciate not having to listen to a whiny, crying child.

That's not to say anyone is not to free to go into a Starbucks w/ his/her child.

But, honestly, it's not any place where I would choose to linger w/ a small child. How relaxing is that cup of coffee gonna be anyway when you're having to entertain a child & keep that child relatively quiet?

We've been to Starbucks w/ our kids, but I can't think of any time we've sat w/ them at the tables. We get our drinks & snacks & go.

Oh my. I never said that. Didn't even come close to saying that I was responding to a poster that said EVERY establishment should have a changing table. To which I responded that some places are not meant for children.

Sometimes I am not in the mood for children. And I am a mother

Is it bad of me to say, "Me too!"

 

[Social Worker Sue]

http://www.starbucks.com/menu/catalog/product?drink=kids-drinks-and-other#view_control=product


Items on the "Kids Drinks" are available at every Starbucks, whether they have it posted on a menu board or not. They also don't list Short or Tall sizes on the menu board at a lot of locations, but they are still available.

You should Google secret starbucks kids menu Yes. Starbucks does offer kids choices, but like you said, they dont always post it on their menu. I dont know why they dont post it. Weird that there is a secret menu that you have to ask for. Are certain Starbucks trying to tell us parents something? Who knows.

Parents who would put their kids' feces on a table are gross. But don't use them to say that no parents should bring their kids into places.

Feces and Starbucks aside, children dont belong in EVERY restaurant. There are some eateries that children should stay home with a sitter.

 

[npmommie]

oh my. I never said that. Didn't even come close to saying that i was responding to a poster that said every establishment should have a changing table. To which i responded that some places are not meant for children.

Sometimes i am not in the mood for children. And i am a mother

lol

 

[Social Worker Sue]

Is it bad of me to say, "Me too!"

Not at all

 

[npmommie]

The best starbucks I have been in was in Toronto. they had large comfy couches and a fireplace, it encouraged staying all day, LOL

 

[Conservative Hippie]

But are their kids' menus posted? I know there is a kid's hot chocolate, but I've never seen any other specifically kid's drink posted on their menu.

Usually they list hot chocolate, apple cider, steamed milk, cold chocolate milk, cold milk, and cold apple cider as Kids' Drinks, but really you can order any combination of anything in a short or tall, ask for hot drinks as "kids temp."

You should Google secret starbucks kids menu Yes. Starbucks does offer kids choices, but like you said, they dont always post it on their menu. I dont know why they dont post it. Weird that there is a secret menu that you have to ask for. Are certain Starbucks trying to tell us parents something? Who knows.



Feces and Starbucks aside, children dont belong in EVERY restaurant. There are some eateries that children should stay home with a sitter.

Starbucks "secret" menu (adults and kids) is just a matter of knowing what is available and asking for it. It's no secret! My kids love pumpkin spice or cinnamon dolce steamers (short, kids temp), or strawberry, vanilla, or chocolate creme frappuccinos (creme base has no coffee). There are tons of "adult" drinks that aren't listed on the menu either, you just order what you want.

Of course kids don't belong in every restaurant, but Starbucks isn't one of them. Polite parents will get in and out or keep their kids quiet if they are sitting. Rude parents won't care if a restaurant is for kids or not in the first place.

 

[LSmith]

The best starbucks I have been in was in Toronto. they had large comfy couches and a fireplace, it encouraged staying all day, LOL

Yes, our Starbucks in Toronto love families. The one I frequent in the Beaches has lots of comfy chairs, sofas, a fireplace and, gasp, children's books for the kids to read while the parents relax with their drinks. They will often make free drinks for the toddlers. I'm willing to bet there are change tables in the washrooms as well.

It seems by the anti-kid comments on the DIS that Canada is a much more family friendly place. Our kids are welcome in all restaurants and treated with respect. We take our children everywhere as does everyone we know. When our kids scream or cry, we remove them from the premise. We don't think that our children only belong in Chuck E Cheese and McDonalds.

Not everyone is raising little out of control hellions and if you are than 100% of the blame lies in the parents, not the kids.

 

[kevschickee]

Yes, our Starbucks in Toronto love families. The one I frequent in the Beaches has lots of comfy chairs, sofas, a fireplace and, gasp, children's books for the kids to read while the parents relax with their drinks. They will often make free drinks for the toddlers. I'm willing to bet there are change tables in the washrooms as well.

It seems by the anti-kid comments on the DIS that Canada is a much more family friendly place. Our kids are welcome in all restaurants and treated with respect. We take our children everywhere as does everyone we know. When our kids scream or cry, we remove them from the premise. We don't think that our children only belong in Chuck E Cheese and McDonalds.

Not everyone is raising little out of control hellions and if you are than 100% of the blame lies in the parents, not the kids.

This is completely wrong. So Americans don't respect our children because we are ok with kids not being every where we go? My children are great when we go out and no we don't only go to McDonalds and never go to Chuckee Cheese. I respect my children but I am an adult and do enjoy my kid free time. Who are you to say we don't respect our children??? Wow