Ban kids from restaurants?

Pineedles · 07-12-2011, 12:24 PM

Since it has been a topic of conversation here on the forum, I found it interesting that a restaurant in Pittsburgh, that's PA not NH, has banned kids 6 and under from their establishment.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43718876...mall_business/

Are there anyplaces on the lake that would dare do this?

brk-lnt · 07-12-2011, 01:15 PM

I think that's a little harder to do with the seasonality (and general family-oriented atmosphere), but damn I wish there were people that would realize their kids are obnoxious brats and not take them out to a nice place to eat.

Seaplane Pilot · 07-12-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

Since it has been a topic of conversation here on the forum, I found it interesting that a restaurant in Pittsburgh, that's PA not NH, has banned kids 6 and under from their establishment.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43718876...mall_business/

Are there anyplaces on the lake that would dare do this?

I may start a restaurant just so I can enforce this policy!

Kamper · 07-12-2011, 02:13 PM

I wish there were a couple places around here that had that policy. Then I would say to the wife, "Let's go to (KidFreeZone) for dinner tonight." without her springing it at the last minute "Is it okay if (EldestDaughter) meets us there with (Obnoxious) and (Agravating)?"

jkjoshuatree · 07-12-2011, 02:17 PM

...so here's my 2 cents.

If you're a parent and the kids are behaving like lunatics, it's all on the parents.

Kids are kids. Sometimes they're grumpy, tired, teething, missed their nap...whatever it may be...but it's up to the parents to teach good manners, courtesy, and politeness.

And yes, I have kids. Are they always perfectly behaved? Of course not. But if I know they are going to be unbearable in public, I certainly wouldn't take them to a restaurant.

The child supplies the power but the parents have to do the steering.

~Benjamin Spock

Argie's Wife · 07-12-2011, 03:05 PM

I don't disagree with the restaurant having the rule that they do - that's their business.

It's sad that some parents don't train up their kids to know how to have good manners or consideration for others. The parents who bring their ill-behaved children into nice restaurants show that they themselves have little consideration for the other patrons in the restaurant by their action. If people had more common sense, rules like that wouldn't be necessary.

When Argie and I want a nice time out, we do it sans kids. It's rare that we go out, just the two of us, but that's how things are for now, while our kids are little. (The Argelets are now 10 and 6 years old.) When we're out for a nice dinner, we don't want to sit next to whiney kids.

When we go out as a family, we're careful to pick a family-oriented place. The kids are happier and we're happier because it's more relaxed, but also don't have two sets of rules or expectations - one for home and one for when we're "out" - we expect our boys to behave, say please and thank you, and to not eat like little animals. Our youngest boy is developmentally delayed, so teaching him how to behave socially is a little more challenging, but he's doing a great job - he just takes more reminding/patience than the oldest boy. We also have learned when to stay home because the kids are tired or not ready to behave - but that was a learning curve for us, too. We weren't born knowing how to parent but we've learned what works or doesn't work for our kids.

I'm sure there's been times in the past when people were glad we left a restaurant (and a couple of times when I've removed a screaming kid before we were done simply because there was no "saving" our situation - leaving was the best option for everyone!)

Social growth aside, I won't raise my kids to be rude or obnoxious adults. It's work on both our part and their part - but the payoff is when someone comes by our table and comments on how well behaved our boys are - that's when I'm a proud mamma!

As the kids get older, I expect we'll move up from Friendly's, diners (the Maine Diner is a fav), to nicer places. We recently tried Jade Garden in Tilton with much success.

ishoot308 · 07-12-2011, 03:33 PM

If everyone had the same attitude as you A.W., the world and eating out would be much nicer!

Kudos to you for your fine parenting skills!

Dan

Argie's Wife · 07-12-2011, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

If everyone had the same attitude as you A.W., the world and eating out would be much nicer!

Kudos to you for your fine parenting skills!

Dan

Thanks. We're hardly perfect - we've had to work at parenting and I know there's times when our little troop was less than welcome in some places. I feel for the young parents going through it for the first time - it certainly takes practice.

Live and learn.

VitaBene · 07-12-2011, 03:37 PM

Canoe has a no young kid/ adult room. It is the main dining room to the left when you walk in.

I have no issue with banning kids, even when it effected us (kids are now old enough for main dining). I think it is reasonable to enjoy a quality meal, which for many may be a day out without their own kids, in relative peace and quiet.

Great post AW

SIKSUKR · 07-13-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

I may start a restaurant just so I can enforce this policy!

Will I still be allowed in SP?

NBR · 07-13-2011, 10:56 AM

The youngster causing the issue are not to blame. Poor parenting is.

spider22 · 07-13-2011, 11:08 AM

I like the idea of what canoe does and have a room set aside that they don't allow kids. My wife and I have 4 kids(the youngest one is 13 now) and we love them and love kids in general but if just the 2 of us go out or maybe with another couple and want a nice quiet meal we do not want a baby crying next to us or a 2 year old having a fit. We used to go on vacation to the Margate and used to eat at the restauraunt(I believe it is Blackstones) that is part of the margate. We started going there when our oldest son was about a year old and he never cried or disturbed anyone. When he was three our middle son was about 1 and the 2 of them together never disturbed anyone so going out to eat with young children can be done without disturbing other diners but I do not have a problem with places like the canoe having a certain area that young children are not allowed.

TOAD · 07-13-2011, 11:15 AM

I was loud and obnoxious as a little kid. My folks locked me in a closet when they went out to eat. They brought leftovers.

spider22 · 07-13-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOAD

I was loud and obnoxious as a little kid. My folks locked me in a closet when they went out to eat. They brought leftovers.

I hope this did not scar you

Jmo77011 · 07-13-2011, 01:45 PM

We have two kids, ages 6 and almost 3, and another one on the way. I think it is fine to ban kids from certain restaurants. We usually go to family friendly restaurants, but when we do get the occasional "date night", the last thing I want to hear is a screaming child! My kids are usually pretty well behaved in restaurants, but we have definatley asked to have our meals boxed and left in the middle of a meal if someone has a meltdown. I wouldn't say that's good parenting, just common courtesy.

As a side note, I wish that airlines would have family friendly flights. We are a military family and we have to fly quite often. It would be so much easier if certain flights were kid friendly. Mine are pretty used to flying, but if there was a flight that offered a kid friendly movie, snacks, etc, I'd book that in a second! And every flight has the crying baby...I know, I have had the crying baby a few times!

Pineedles · 07-13-2011, 02:37 PM

Most of you have hit the nail on the head. As the article and the restaurant owner stated, it's the parents, not the kids. AW & A are the kind of parents that most diners would like to see sitting next to them.

cillovely · 07-13-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

As a side note, I wish that airlines would have family friendly flights. We are a military family and we have to fly quite often. It would be so much easier if certain flights were kid friendly. Mine are pretty used to flying, but if there was a flight that offered a kid friendly movie, snacks, etc, I'd book that in a second! And every flight has the crying baby...I know, I have had the crying baby a few times!

I agree about that! I have a soon to be 4 year old and we go to Orlando Florida about once a year in the fall. Last year, my son was getting antsy wating to board so by the time I was trying to get him to our seats, he wasn't too happy. This old fart was like "put that brat in the back". I'm like what do you expect on a flight to ORLANDO!! Land of Mickey Mouse and all sorts of KIDS things. I have yet to be on a flight there or home no matter what time of day or night that wasn't packed with families. It makes me so self conscious and I feel like everyone is giving us dirty looks. If there was a family flight or better yet, since they are the minority, an old fart only flight, then it would make flying a better time. And with the movies/snacks that would be even better.

As far as going out to dinner, I would never take him anywhere that isn't family oriented and if he starts up, we leave. I think having a ban on kids is fine. I like to go out just me and hubby and don't want kids acting up around us either.

Argie's Wife · 07-13-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmo77011

We have two kids, ages 6 and almost 3, and another one on the way. I think it is fine to ban kids from certain restaurants. We usually go to family friendly restaurants, but when we do get the occasional "date night", the last thing I want to hear is a screaming child! My kids are usually pretty well behaved in restaurants, but we have definatley asked to have our meals boxed and left in the middle of a meal if someone has a meltdown. I wouldn't say that's good parenting, just common courtesy.

As a side note, I wish that airlines would have family friendly flights. We are a military family and we have to fly quite often. It would be so much easier if certain flights were kid friendly. Mine are pretty used to flying, but if there was a flight that offered a kid friendly movie, snacks, etc, I'd book that in a second! And every flight has the crying baby...I know, I have had the crying baby a few times!

Not to derail this thread, but I was on a flight from Manchester to Philadelphia back in April of this year, and was sitting next to two kids, around the ages 6 to 8 years old, their mom, and their grandmother. They were headed to Disneyland in FL.

The grandmother was most definately "in charge" of the group and had packed an impressive "busy bag" of activities, books, puzzles, snacks, and kept the kids engaged the whole time. The kids were great - but they weren't left to sit and stare out a window or play video games - they were kept busy. Bored kids usually make trouble - those two little ones didn't have an opportunity to get bored or complain. (The kids had better manners and social skills than the flight attendant I encountered that day - whoo, lemme tell ya!)

Anyhow, I took notes and that encounter gave me ideas for keeping my own two boys from being the Destructo Brothers while we're out - whether its a day trip or something more. I learned a lot on that short flight!

Jmo77011 · 07-13-2011, 06:55 PM

Yup, travel bags are the key to success on a plane, for sure. One time when my daughter was three, we were stuck on the runway in a snowstorm for FIVE HOURS!! Boy, was I happy to have a bag full of snacks and surprises...but it ended up being the lady across the aisle who saved the day...by teaching her to blow bubbles with her gum! I still smile when I think about that lady!

Sorry about the hijack!

JPC · 07-13-2011, 07:30 PM

My wife and I go out to dinner around 7PM and we will almost every time see a young couple with little kids. Not all the time but some times the kids are acting up/cranky and the parents let them. What I don't get is why don't the parents get baby sitters? Why are the kids not in bed by that time? We always got baby sitters when our kids were little. Not only that but our kids were ready for bed by 7PM. They had an active day and they were tired. We see kids in restaurants well past 8:30PM and they are cranky. 30yrs ago if I didn't have the extra bucks for a baby sitter we didn't go out. But I suppose times have changed!

When we are being seated we look around to see who will be next to us. If there are little kids we ask to be moved to a different table.

Kamper · 07-13-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPC

... 30yrs ago if I didn't have the extra bucks for a baby sitter we didn't go out. ...

Many folks don't have as many baby-sitting contacts as you did 30 years ago and it's harder to find some-one to trust with your kids.

dpg · 07-14-2011, 06:19 AM

It's a stupid rule and hopefully the restaurants business suffers because of it.

VitaBene · 07-14-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

It's a stupid rule and hopefully the restaurants business suffers because of it.

... I bet it won't!

After reading the posts above, why do you think it is stupid? I found the reasons for not allowing kids at some restaurants/ rooms to be compelling. Just wondering.

JPC · 07-14-2011, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

It's a stupid rule and hopefully the restaurants business suffers because of it.

The owner of the restaurant in question was interviewed on GMA and he stated that the email response has been very positive. He is also getting positive responses from Europe too.

And by the way he is not the first restaurant to ban kids. There are 6 across this nation.

Now, I have to ask you, would we have this "Stupid Rule" if parents with toddlers or babies stayed home or got baby sitters? Have you ever been seated at a table next to a screaming kid? It's not a pleasant dining experience.

dpg · 07-14-2011, 11:22 AM

Yes I have been seated beside crying kids and I just think it's stupid, that's all not going to justify my opinion. How many known restaurants are doing it maybe a dozen? Out of how many in the country, hundreds of thousands?? Yup a real popular move on those 12 or so owners. If a toddler cry's on your precious night out to eat get over it, life's to short. And no, I do not have any infants, my kids are old enough to (legally) drink!

MarkinNH · 07-14-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

Yes I have been seated beside crying kids and I just think it's stupid, that's all not going to justify my opinion. How many known restaurants are doing it maybe a dozen? Out of how many in the country, hundreds of thousands?? Yup a real popular move on those 12 or so owners. If a toddler cry's on your precious night out to eat get over it, life's to short. And no, I do not have any infants, my kids are old enough to (legally) drink!

Yes, Life is to short, and for many of us, the pleasure of enjoying a meal in a nice restaurant come few and far between. For me it is an extreme treat to spend $100 on dinner out and when I do, I'll be damned if I want that evening disrupted by a crying or a misbehaving child and then to have the evening wrecked because the parent of said child or children do absolutely Nothing to control the behavior of their child just adds fuel to the fire in my support of any restaurant to ban children.
While my fiancé and I were dinning in the new Mexican restaurant in Moultonborough July 4th weekend there was a group of 6 or 8 people waiting for tables to open up and be prepped for them. there was one boy approx. 5 or 6 who spent most of the wait running around the dinning room going to everybody's table and looking at everybody's food. Not Once did his parents /zoo keeper do a thing to stop him or prevent him from bothering the restaurant other paying customers.
If you want spend your evening dining next to a bratty crying child have at it. I'll happily spend my money and support any restaurant that is willing to ban kids.

GTO · 07-13-2011, 11:21 AM

Didn't the old St Charles church have a separate room for kids while mass was taken place? I seem to remember it as a kid....not that I ever went in there. I'm not sure what is more obnoxious these days, kids or the adult that talks on his/her cell phone so everyone else in the place can hear also

nj2nh · 07-22-2011, 03:06 PM

How is a kid supposed to learn how to behave in a restaurant if they are banned from going to them. Honestly, I am having a really hard time believing anyone thinks this is a good idea. If you don't want to encounter kids, stay home or eat later when they won't be there.

Kids are people, too!

And before you jump all over me, I do agree that people should not bring children anywhere (Friendly's or the Ritz) under the following circumstances:

1. The kids are cranky because they spent all day in the water and didn't get a nap.

2. After, say, 7pm no matter how happy the kids are unless it's a quick stop at Burger King out of desperation.

3. When the kids outnumber the parents more than 4-1.

I have two boys. Both are teens. They never, ever caused a problem in a restaurant and we have taken them everywhere - including the formal dinners on a cruise, but we always went early and we never went cranky.

Don't blame the kids. Blame their parents who don't really care about their kids or the people around them. It is self-centered adults who are the problem, not their poor unfortunate children.

TOAD · 07-22-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nj2nh

How is a kid supposed to learn how to behave in a restaurant if they are banned from going to them. Honestly, I am having a really hard time believing anyone thinks this is a good idea. If you don't want to encounter kids, stay home or eat later when they won't be there.

Kids are people, too!

And before you jump all over me, I do agree that people should not bring children anywhere (Friendly's or the Ritz) under the following circumstances:

1. The kids are cranky because they spent all day in the water and didn't get a nap.

2. After, say, 7pm no matter how happy the kids are unless it's a quick stop at Burger King out of desperation.

3. When the kids outnumber the parents more than 4-1.

I have two boys. Both are teens. They never, ever caused a problem in a restaurant and we have taken them everywhere - including the formal dinners on a cruise, but we always went early and we never went cranky.

Don't blame the kids. Blame their parents who don't really care about their kids or the people around them. It is self-centered adults who are the problem, not their poor unfortunate children.

I was being facetious....some of those noisy, out of control, obnoxious little kids are the movers, shakers, pilots, generals, CEOs, inventors, scientists etc of the future. Sometimes little milk-toast kids just don't measure up. Just saying. In my 62 years here on this planet I would say the I have had less than half a dozen meals with compromised enjoyment because of overactive kids. I can handle that...can't you?

kauriel · 07-22-2011, 10:18 PM

This discussion has been very helpful because we had only been to canoe once (for a function) and didn't notice they had an adult only dining room. We had been meaning to go back but I think we may have just found a new reason to go!

As a patron, I like the idea of kid-free restaurants or at least adult only zones because not all children are well-behaved and their parents tend to seem oblivious! I would guess some business owners and wait staff might also like the idea given that it seems kids meals tend to be fairly cheap meaning lower revenue per meal/seat and potentially lower tips if you rely on the 15 or 20% rule.

For any restaurant owners considering a ban: you have my support!

Happy Gourmand · 07-23-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nj2nh

How is a kid supposed to learn how to behave in a restaurant if they are banned from going to them. Honestly, I am having a really hard time believing anyone thinks this is a good idea. If you don't want to encounter kids, stay home or eat later when they won't be there.

Kids are people, too!

And before you jump all over me, I do agree that people should not bring children anywhere (Friendly's or the Ritz) under the following circumstances:

1. The kids are cranky because they spent all day in the water and didn't get a nap.

2. After, say, 7pm no matter how happy the kids are unless it's a quick stop at Burger King out of desperation.

3. When the kids outnumber the parents more than 4-1.

I have two boys. Both are teens. They never, ever caused a problem in a restaurant and we have taken them everywhere - including the formal dinners on a cruise, but we always went early and we never went cranky.

Don't blame the kids. Blame their parents who don't really care about their kids or the people around them. It is self-centered adults who are the problem, not their poor unfortunate children.

Folks, this is a family vacation destination. Emphasis on FAMILY! Kids are people too. Honestly, in all the times we have gone out to eat up here, I can't recall having a bad experience because of somebody else's kids. Maybe it's because I'm more laid back when I'm here...maybe because of it I'm just more tolerant then I was way back when. I certainly don't appreciate a screaming demon at the next table when we're out for a nice quiet dinner..but how often does that really happen? Not enough in my experience to make a rule to ban all kids from a restaurant. If there is an out of control kid near you at a restaurant, just call the manager over and ask to be moved...I doubt that such a request would be denied.
Otherwise, just lighten up a bit and enjoy...isn't that what we all want?

spider22 · 07-25-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nj2nh

How is a kid supposed to learn how to behave in a restaurant if they are banned from going to them. Honestly, I am having a really hard time believing anyone thinks this is a good idea. If you don't want to encounter kids, stay home or eat later when they won't be there.

Kids are people, too!

And before you jump all over me, I do agree that people should not bring children anywhere (Friendly's or the Ritz) under the following circumstances:

1. The kids are cranky because they spent all day in the water and didn't get a nap.

2. After, say, 7pm no matter how happy the kids are unless it's a quick stop at Burger King out of desperation.

3. When the kids outnumber the parents more than 4-1.

I have two boys. Both are teens. They never, ever caused a problem in a restaurant and we have taken them everywhere - including the formal dinners on a cruise, but we always went early and we never went cranky.

Don't blame the kids. Blame their parents who don't really care about their kids or the people around them. It is self-centered adults who are the problem, not their poor unfortunate children.

I agree with you on this and I have seen stuff like this in the past. Our youngest of 4 kids is almost 14 now but I am sure that 10-13 years ago there the parents vacationing next to us must have thought we were the meanest parents in the world when we were getting our kids ready for bed at 9:00 and they were just getting ready to take their kids of roughly the same age to Funspot or some other activity. But by the middle of the week when we were still enjoying time in the middle of the day with our children because they were happy those parents were dealing with crabby kids who would just break out crying for no reason. I heard several times from those parents say "why are you so crabby today" to their young children. I am not saying that you should not loosen up a little on vacation but when you have young kids that are out all day in the sun and in the water and then you let them stay up until midnight 3 or 4 nights in a row please don't wonder why they are so crabby in a restaurant or any other place.

dpg · 07-28-2011, 06:00 AM

Can someone start a poll? (I don't know how too) So we can vote and all move on...

VitaBene · 07-29-2011, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

Can someone start a poll? (I don't know how too) So we can vote and all move on...

Here it is http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?t=12702

trfour · 08-08-2011, 12:39 AM

Even with todays economy, I couldn't imagine any respectable restaurant wanting to ban any of us kids.

Course #1, we were all taught from a very young age, and by the way born so too, that and to behave especially around the dinner table.

Course#2, I have personally enjoyed many delicious menus here in the Lakes Region, and around the world... You can check my record here, leave the belly!

Sides, have you ever tried eating with a fat lip?
Only kidding...

Here's a picture taken by Life Magazine back in 1952 when myfamily enjoyed lunch at the very exclusive Columbia Yacht Club in Philadelphia, PA. Mom And Dad and nine very well behaved children, at the time...
Terry
____________________________

Add another picture with some Asian flair...
After lunch, Wok'ing it off!

WakeboardMom · 09-18-2011, 07:03 PM

Funniest thing ever...(or not)....I was in El Mariachi in Moultonborough on Friday night with my husband. We walked in at 8:40...kinda late if you have kids. We sat at the bar, and I could see two tables in the corner that he couldn't see.

I said to him, "I don't know if those two tables are together, but if they're not, there's a lady being a really good sport." There was a young(er) couple sitting at a table for four with their three kids, so it was a little bit crowded, but the kids were small. They were small in stature because they were young in age. There were three kids ages about 2.5 or so to maybe 7. The youngest was a very cute little boy.

Little boy was not falling asleep at 8:45. Instead he was standing on his chair, making friends with the folks at the next table, who were four adults between the ages of thirty and fifty-ish. I thought those folks were being good sports, smiling at the little boy and not getting visibly annoyed.

10 or 15 minutes later that wasn't the case. The older folks weren't being mean, but they were no longer smiling at the little boy, instead they were chatting and trying their best to ignore him. At some point, the dad put the little boy on his lap and did his best to keep the little boy amused and away from the other diners; at that point it was after 9 pm.

This little vignette kind of illustrates why some restaurants might impose a ban on kids. I love kids; I had 4 and now I'm on to grandchildren. But at 8:30 - 9:00 on a Friday night, I'm looking to wind down from my crazy week. LOL...you'll find me at the bar.

trfour · 09-20-2011, 10:21 PM

Who don't have a clue how to raise their children in an more appropriate way of, ( first of all ).

# 1. Manners, around the dinner table!

# 2. How to coexist in an appropriate manner away from home!

# 3. So as to shine a light in and on a different direction!

The Hope's in our lives are so very much with us...

Another Life Magazine photo that very clearly shows where I am from, and continue to be TODAY!
Terry

Pineedles · 09-22-2011, 02:11 PM

From trfour's picture, I notice no elbows on the table, except for the very youngst one. Wow, does that bring back memories. How many parents enforce that rule today?

Jonas Pilot · 09-22-2011, 03:34 PM

"Keep your elbows off the table, this is not a horse's stable".

SIKSUKR · 09-27-2011, 07:56 AM

And keep your hands in your lap or they will get a rulers tap.

07-12-2011, 02:17 PM	#5
jkjoshuatree Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 642 Thanks: 349 Thanked 145 Times in 77 Posts	This May Start Quite The Argument... ...so here's my 2 cents. If you're a parent and the kids are behaving like lunatics, it's all on the parents. Kids are kids. Sometimes they're grumpy, tired, teething, missed their nap...whatever it may be...but it's up to the parents to teach good manners, courtesy, and politeness. And yes, I have kids. Are they always perfectly behaved? Of course not. But if I know they are going to be unbearable in public, I certainly wouldn't take them to a restaurant. The child supplies the power but the parents have to do the steering. ~Benjamin Spock __________________ Dream out loud.

07-12-2011, 03:05 PM	#6
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	Where's the curmudgeons ban? I don't disagree with the restaurant having the rule that they do - that's their business. It's sad that some parents don't train up their kids to know how to have good manners or consideration for others. The parents who bring their ill-behaved children into nice restaurants show that they themselves have little consideration for the other patrons in the restaurant by their action. If people had more common sense, rules like that wouldn't be necessary. When Argie and I want a nice time out, we do it sans kids. It's rare that we go out, just the two of us, but that's how things are for now, while our kids are little. (The Argelets are now 10 and 6 years old.) When we're out for a nice dinner, we don't want to sit next to whiney kids. When we go out as a family, we're careful to pick a family-oriented place. The kids are happier and we're happier because it's more relaxed, but also don't have two sets of rules or expectations - one for home and one for when we're "out" - we expect our boys to behave, say please and thank you, and to not eat like little animals. Our youngest boy is developmentally delayed, so teaching him how to behave socially is a little more challenging, but he's doing a great job - he just takes more reminding/patience than the oldest boy. We also have learned when to stay home because the kids are tired or not ready to behave - but that was a learning curve for us, too. We weren't born knowing how to parent but we've learned what works or doesn't work for our kids. I'm sure there's been times in the past when people were glad we left a restaurant (and a couple of times when I've removed a screaming kid before we were done simply because there was no "saving" our situation - leaving was the best option for everyone!) Social growth aside, I won't raise my kids to be rude or obnoxious adults. It's work on both our part and their part - but the payoff is when someone comes by our table and comments on how well behaved our boys are - that's when I'm a proud mamma! As the kids get older, I expect we'll move up from Friendly's, diners (the Maine Diner is a fav), to nicer places. We recently tried Jade Garden in Tilton with much success.

07-12-2011, 03:33 PM	#7
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,159 Thanks: 2,361 Thanked 5,186 Times in 2,021 Posts	Nicely Said If everyone had the same attitude as you A.W., the world and eating out would be much nicer! Kudos to you for your fine parenting skills! Dan

07-12-2011, 03:37 PM	#9
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,561 Thanks: 1,585 Thanked 1,623 Times in 834 Posts	Canoe Canoe has a no young kid/ adult room. It is the main dining room to the left when you walk in. I have no issue with banning kids, even when it effected us (kids are now old enough for main dining). I think it is reasonable to enjoy a quality meal, which for many may be a day out without their own kids, in relative peace and quiet. Great post AW

07-13-2011, 10:56 AM	#11
NBR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bristol Posts: 119 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	Children vs Brats The youngster causing the issue are not to blame. Poor parenting is.

07-12-2011, 12:24 PM	#1
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,541 Thanks: 1,071 Thanked 667 Times in 366 Posts	Ban kids from restaurants? Since it has been a topic of conversation here on the forum, I found it interesting that a restaurant in Pittsburgh, that's PA not NH, has banned kids 6 and under from their establishment. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43718876...mall_business/ Are there anyplaces on the lake that would dare do this?

07-12-2011, 01:15 PM	#2
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,944 Thanks: 543 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	I think that's a little harder to do with the seasonality (and general family-oriented atmosphere), but damn I wish there were people that would realize their kids are obnoxious brats and not take them out to a nice place to eat. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

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07-12-2011, 02:13 PM	#4
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,302 Thanks: 67 Thanked 171 Times in 127 Posts	I wish there were a couple places around here that had that policy. Then I would say to the wife, "Let's go to (KidFreeZone) for dinner tonight." without her springing it at the last minute "Is it okay if (EldestDaughter) meets us there with (Obnoxious) and (Agravating)?"

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07-13-2011, 11:08 AM	#12
spider22 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Alstead,NH Posts: 98 Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	I like the idea of what canoe does and have a room set aside that they don't allow kids. My wife and I have 4 kids(the youngest one is 13 now) and we love them and love kids in general but if just the 2 of us go out or maybe with another couple and want a nice quiet meal we do not want a baby crying next to us or a 2 year old having a fit. We used to go on vacation to the Margate and used to eat at the restauraunt(I believe it is Blackstones) that is part of the margate. We started going there when our oldest son was about a year old and he never cried or disturbed anyone. When he was three our middle son was about 1 and the 2 of them together never disturbed anyone so going out to eat with young children can be done without disturbing other diners but I do not have a problem with places like the canoe having a certain area that young children are not allowed.

07-13-2011, 11:15 AM	#13
TOAD Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Soon to be Moultonboro Posts: 258 Thanks: 1 Thanked 81 Times in 34 Posts	I was loud and obnoxious as a little kid. My folks locked me in a closet when they went out to eat. They brought leftovers. __________________ "Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.....Unknown....but attributed to George Washington

07-13-2011, 01:45 PM	#15
Jmo77011 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 86 Thanks: 60 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts	We have two kids, ages 6 and almost 3, and another one on the way. I think it is fine to ban kids from certain restaurants. We usually go to family friendly restaurants, but when we do get the occasional "date night", the last thing I want to hear is a screaming child! My kids are usually pretty well behaved in restaurants, but we have definatley asked to have our meals boxed and left in the middle of a meal if someone has a meltdown. I wouldn't say that's good parenting, just common courtesy. As a side note, I wish that airlines would have family friendly flights. We are a military family and we have to fly quite often. It would be so much easier if certain flights were kid friendly. Mine are pretty used to flying, but if there was a flight that offered a kid friendly movie, snacks, etc, I'd book that in a second! And every flight has the crying baby...I know, I have had the crying baby a few times!

07-13-2011, 02:37 PM	#16
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,541 Thanks: 1,071 Thanked 667 Times in 366 Posts	Most of you have hit the nail on the head. As the article and the restaurant owner stated, it's the parents, not the kids. AW & A are the kind of parents that most diners would like to see sitting next to them.

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07-13-2011, 06:55 PM	#19
Jmo77011 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 86 Thanks: 60 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts	Yup, travel bags are the key to success on a plane, for sure. One time when my daughter was three, we were stuck on the runway in a snowstorm for FIVE HOURS!! Boy, was I happy to have a bag full of snacks and surprises...but it ended up being the lady across the aisle who saved the day...by teaching her to blow bubbles with her gum! I still smile when I think about that lady! Sorry about the hijack!

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07-13-2011, 07:30 PM	#20
JPC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Milford, NH Posts: 161 Thanks: 44 Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts	Kids out late My wife and I go out to dinner around 7PM and we will almost every time see a young couple with little kids. Not all the time but some times the kids are acting up/cranky and the parents let them. What I don't get is why don't the parents get baby sitters? Why are the kids not in bed by that time? We always got baby sitters when our kids were little. Not only that but our kids were ready for bed by 7PM. They had an active day and they were tired. We see kids in restaurants well past 8:30PM and they are cranky. 30yrs ago if I didn't have the extra bucks for a baby sitter we didn't go out. But I suppose times have changed! When we are being seated we look around to see who will be next to us. If there are little kids we ask to be moved to a different table.

07-14-2011, 06:19 AM	#22
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,589 Thanks: 150 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	It's a stupid rule and hopefully the restaurants business suffers because of it.

07-14-2011, 11:22 AM	#25
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,589 Thanks: 150 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	Yes I have been seated beside crying kids and I just think it's stupid, that's all not going to justify my opinion. How many known restaurants are doing it maybe a dozen? Out of how many in the country, hundreds of thousands?? Yup a real popular move on those 12 or so owners. If a toddler cry's on your precious night out to eat get over it, life's to short. And no, I do not have any infants, my kids are old enough to (legally) drink!

07-13-2011, 11:21 AM	#27
GTO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,081 Thanks: 338 Thanked 349 Times in 161 Posts	bad kids..... Didn't the old St Charles church have a separate room for kids while mass was taken place? I seem to remember it as a kid....not that I ever went in there. I'm not sure what is more obnoxious these days, kids or the adult that talks on his/her cell phone so everyone else in the place can hear also __________________ GTO

07-22-2011, 03:06 PM	#28
nj2nh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 524 Thanks: 63 Thanked 44 Times in 24 Posts	How is a kid supposed to learn how to behave in a restaurant if they are banned from going to them. Honestly, I am having a really hard time believing anyone thinks this is a good idea. If you don't want to encounter kids, stay home or eat later when they won't be there. Kids are people, too! And before you jump all over me, I do agree that people should not bring children anywhere (Friendly's or the Ritz) under the following circumstances: 1. The kids are cranky because they spent all day in the water and didn't get a nap. 2. After, say, 7pm no matter how happy the kids are unless it's a quick stop at Burger King out of desperation. 3. When the kids outnumber the parents more than 4-1. I have two boys. Both are teens. They never, ever caused a problem in a restaurant and we have taken them everywhere - including the formal dinners on a cruise, but we always went early and we never went cranky. Don't blame the kids. Blame their parents who don't really care about their kids or the people around them. It is self-centered adults who are the problem, not their poor unfortunate children. __________________

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07-22-2011, 10:18 PM	#30
kauriel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Laconia, N. MA Posts: 290 Thanks: 119 Thanked 62 Times in 44 Posts	This discussion has been very helpful because we had only been to canoe once (for a function) and didn't notice they had an adult only dining room. We had been meaning to go back but I think we may have just found a new reason to go! As a patron, I like the idea of kid-free restaurants or at least adult only zones because not all children are well-behaved and their parents tend to seem oblivious! I would guess some business owners and wait staff might also like the idea given that it seems kids meals tend to be fairly cheap meaning lower revenue per meal/seat and potentially lower tips if you rely on the 15 or 20% rule. For any restaurant owners considering a ban: you have my support!

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07-28-2011, 06:00 AM	#33
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,589 Thanks: 150 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	Can someone start a poll? (I don't know how too) So we can vote and all move on...

08-08-2011, 12:39 AM	#35
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Remember That We Are All Kids At Heart Even with todays economy, I couldn't imagine any respectable restaurant wanting to ban any of us kids. Course #1, we were all taught from a very young age, and by the way born so too, that and to behave especially around the dinner table. Course#2, I have personally enjoyed many delicious menus here in the Lakes Region, and around the world... You can check my record here, leave the belly! Sides, have you ever tried eating with a fat lip? Only kidding... Here's a picture taken by Life Magazine back in 1952 when myfamily enjoyed lunch at the very exclusive Columbia Yacht Club in Philadelphia, PA. Mom And Dad and nine very well behaved children, at the time... Terry ____________________________ Add another picture with some Asian flair... After lunch, Wok'ing it off! Attached Images __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html Last edited by trfour; 08-10-2011 at 08:19 PM. Reason: Add Photo

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09-18-2011, 07:03 PM	#36
WakeboardMom Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NH X 2 Posts: 508 Thanks: 595 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts	Funniest thing ever...(or not)....I was in El Mariachi in Moultonborough on Friday night with my husband. We walked in at 8:40...kinda late if you have kids. We sat at the bar, and I could see two tables in the corner that he couldn't see. I said to him, "I don't know if those two tables are together, but if they're not, there's a lady being a really good sport." There was a young(er) couple sitting at a table for four with their three kids, so it was a little bit crowded, but the kids were small. They were small in stature because they were young in age. There were three kids ages about 2.5 or so to maybe 7. The youngest was a very cute little boy. Little boy was not falling asleep at 8:45. Instead he was standing on his chair, making friends with the folks at the next table, who were four adults between the ages of thirty and fifty-ish. I thought those folks were being good sports, smiling at the little boy and not getting visibly annoyed. 10 or 15 minutes later that wasn't the case. The older folks weren't being mean, but they were no longer smiling at the little boy, instead they were chatting and trying their best to ignore him. At some point, the dad put the little boy on his lap and did his best to keep the little boy amused and away from the other diners; at that point it was after 9 pm. This little vignette kind of illustrates why some restaurants might impose a ban on kids. I love kids; I had 4 and now I'm on to grandchildren. But at 8:30 - 9:00 on a Friday night, I'm looking to wind down from my crazy week. LOL...you'll find me at the bar. __________________ MarieM

09-20-2011, 10:21 PM	#37
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Ban Restaurants From Parents Who don't have a clue how to raise their children in an more appropriate way of, ( first of all ). # 1. Manners, around the dinner table! # 2. How to coexist in an appropriate manner away from home! # 3. So as to shine a light in and on a different direction! The Hope's in our lives are so very much with us... Another Life Magazine photo that very clearly shows where I am from, and continue to be TODAY! Terry Attached Images __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

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09-22-2011, 02:11 PM	#38
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,541 Thanks: 1,071 Thanked 667 Times in 366 Posts	From trfour's picture, I notice no elbows on the table, except for the very youngst one. Wow, does that bring back memories. How many parents enforce that rule today?