Surprising Parent Behavior at V&A's

[hmp2z]

I just wanted to post this, because I was actually quite surprised by how well these parents handled this situation. Notice that I'm somewhat shocked when someone handles a situation well.

We were at V&A's a few weeks ago, and a large-ish party (about 6-8 people) entered. One of the members of the party was an EXTREMELY irate child who was maybe 3-4 years old. He was dressed very cutely, but had his arms crossed and an angry look on his face, and he was getting a bit loud & fussy. My DH & I groaned & wondered why on earth parents would bring such a small child to such a quiet, lengthy dinner.

The small boy's mother kept trying to talk him into staying, and he kept grumbling & fussing & getting a bit loud. So the mother took him out. The other members of the party waited around for a bit, and then I guess decided that the child wasn't able to come back into the restaurant without making a fuss, so the entire group left the restaurant.

I was very, very surprised that parents who would attempt to bring a small child to V&A's (probably not the brightest idea) would also leave if he started getting loud. It's a pity that they didn't make alternate plans sooner, like arranging for him to visit one of those kids' clubs, so that their entire group's dinner wasn't ruined. But I thought it was incredibly polite of them to leave the restaurant rather than allow their child to disturb other diners.

I guess good manners aren't completely absent, after all!

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[kennancat]

My first thought is did V&A's charge them since they would have been cancelling on such short notice, or did they let it go to make the best of the situation? Either way, good for those parents for knowing that their kid wasn't ready to handle that dinner and not forcing the issue, thus ruining everyone else's meal.

 

[serendipity]

wow, that really is wonderful. I also would have been HIGHLY impressed by such responsible behavior!

 

[spiceycat]

most fine dinning places have a place for the kids. Disney wants you to pay for everything.

besides I didn't think little children were allowed in that restuarant in the first place.

 

[CarolA]

most fine dinning places have a place for the kids. Disney wants you to pay for everything.

besides I didn't think little children were allowed in that restuarant in the first place.

Not sure where you eat, but the "fine dining places" that I go to don't have ANYPLACE for kids.

I was at Ruth Chris just last week for example, there was nothing there for kids.

I find that moderate and fast food places are designed for children.

(And to be honest when I am at nice resturant I don't want the playground there too!)

 

[yearbook50]

When I was there on Sunday, there were two parents with a young child there. The couple at the table next to me were from England and had a well behaved child that truly loved that experience. The other one was not like that. The daughter kept running around the table, crying, whining. It was ridiculous and the parents didn't leave. It didn't ruin my experience but still not my favorite time I have had there.

 

[susieq76]

The other one was not like that. The daughter kept running around the table, crying, whining. It was ridiculous and the parents didn't leave. It didn't ruin my experience but still not my favorite time I have had there.

I don't even allow my children to do that at home, let alone a Friendly's or Fridays. Victoria & Alberts????? Well I wouldn't bring mine- but allow them to run around Ya gotta be kidding me.

As for the OP- why couldn't they bring him to a kids club? B/c if he's under 4 the only thing you can do is in room sitting- and some people just aren't comfortable with that option- especially for a lengthy meal. One of the reasons we have NOT been able to go somewhere nice. Oh well- Patrick will be 4 in 1 1/2 years...

 

[Boardwalker]

I am surprised that nothing was said to the parents.
When we ate at V&A I was afraid that I was going to be punished if I got out of line. It just has that "best behavior" vibe.
Unfortunately with the wine pairings for every single course, I got the giggles by dessert. I was mortified, but couldn't stop. I was so ashamed.

 

[rigs32]

Nothing seems to surprise me anymore. Last year around this time there was a thread from a woman aghast that V&A's would charge her child full price *on Valentine's Day* since the kid wasn't going to eat anything.

 

[webray]

There are a few parents with great "manners" knowing what to do when their children don't want to sit still for dinner.

We saw an example one night at Artist Point, and that is definately kid friendly. Two youngsters where tired, tired, tired. The couple asked for their food to go, kept the kids as quiet as they could, the food came out in bags quickley and they left.

At a table right beside them were 5 adults and a couple children, naughty kids, parents drinking and talking, kids acting up, tired, not wanting to be there. They did nothing but continue.

Our grandaughter is very good in restaurants. We would never, ever consider taking her with us to V&A's, we have taken her to Artist Point, Yachtsman, etc. If she gets tired, one of us immediately leaves the table and takes her outside. We will not ever ruin someone elses meal with an unruley child, never.

 

[desamnik]

why should other patrons have to deal with an upset childs behavior?

Also, some small toys go a long way. I am always surprised at how many people bring their young children to restaurants, doctors office, the "other"kids after school activity, etc... with out bring the child anything to do!

Most kids are easily kept busy, if given some tools!

 

[spiceycat]

Not sure where you eat, but the "fine dining places" that I go to don't have ANYPLACE for kids.

I was at Ruth Chris just last week for example, there was nothing there for kids.

I find that moderate and fast food places are designed for children.

(And to be honest when I am at nice resturant I don't want the playground there too!)

the ones at nicer hotels - the Renaissance arranges for free baby sitting (or did) when you eat at the Atlantic.

I think Loews does too - if you get at their best (highest priced) restuarant.

then the kids get to play and have fun and you get to eat your meal in peace.

I though V&A would have something similar. Especially since they have a kid's club at the GF.

 

[dcox931]

Im surprised they left? Most parents (in my experience) would have stayed and not even payed attention!

 

[gigi1313]

thanks for sharing a "happy ending" instead of a Happily Never After

although i'd have done things differently... i'd have left the rest of my party behind and taken my ds somewhere else... yep, i'd "suffer" rather than make my whole party suffer... and i'd turn it around into a fun time for me and ds alone

although it's possible, since they had not even been seated yet, was that they did not have ressies and were unable to be accomodated, so it only looked like they were doing "the right thing" [yep, i'm a cynic at times]

 

[hmp2z]

I wanted to post this, because we've seen so many awful examples of parent behavior - I was very pleasantly surprised. Of course, on our most recent trip, there was a child screaming & carrying on during our dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse. The parents finished eating, got the check, paid, then sat around for almost 20 additional minutes, I guess to subject the other diners to their child's obnoxious sounds. So I get excited when I see good parents. The little things in life

On a similar note, but unrelated to restaurants, we also saw parents allowing their children to play under a WDW maintenance man's golf cart. Makes you wonder if they let them play under the cars in parking lots.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[MrOakie]

I wish more parents would be that considerate. DW and I don't have kids, and will make plans around not having to deal with kids. I see parents all the time that have no regard for other people around them. I applaud those parents.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have, on occasion, congratulated parents as they were leaving an upscale restaurant on how well that have brought up their child(ren); thanking them for allowing us to have a peaceful meal.

 

[susieq76]

I think Disney Kids clubs should be for potty trained children 3 & up. Then by next trip I could try V & As

Seriously though- you have to pay for children at 3- why can't a potty trained 3 year old be allowed at the kids clubs? Granted my 2 1/2 year old is not potty trained yet- but by next year... Too bad!

 

[NotUrsula]

Seriously though- you have to pay for children at 3- why can't a potty trained 3 year old be allowed at the kids clubs?

Florida state law. The WDW kids clubs are not licensed to take care of kids who are under age 4.

 

[Margie J]

Now these are responsible parents. I commend them and the rest of the party for leaving and not caving into the demands of a child. It's also a great lesson for the child. If you act up we ARE leaving.