So let me start by saying that my children are far from perfect and they have their moments, oh boy trust me they really do. In fact currently they are SO grounded for their behavior, however these things normally happen at home NOT in public. So the point of this being I work in the restaurant industry and let me tell ya kids run this world. I have seen kids literally throw such a fit their parents let them eat ice cream for dinner just to shut them up. I would say at least 3 out of 10 tables allow their kids to play on Ipads, Ipods, tablets, hand held video games, or a phone during and all through out dinner. Yet somehow we have no idea how they ever act out or how when they are 16 they have no sense of family unity! Seriously come on people get to know your kids, make them actually talk to you instead of encouraging them burring their cute little faces into technology.
Okay while that is just annoying to me because as a parent I know that kids have no idea what is best for them and it is our job as the adult to guide them and show them the way. There are many things that are just common sense. Such as behavior that is NOT acceptable. Lets start with screaming, if your child is behaving badly enough that no one wants to sit around you then its time to pack up and leave. A child does not understand nor grasp the concept that this is not acceptable if we do not show them first. So if you sit there and shhhh and please be good while handing them anything you can get your hands on the child is NOT learning this is not okay in fact they are learning hey I get what I want. So either take them to the bathroom for a quick break and explain to them this is not okay or if they cant understand that then leave. This is showing the child that we have consequences to our actions and we have to behave.
My next point is really for the parents. Food throwing, okay okay I know all kids make a mess and I get it trust me mine make enough of their own. However once the child is old enough we must teach them the proper way to eat and that making a mess with items other then food is just as much unacceptable as food is. So parents its not cute to let them tear napkins and crush saltines all over the floor. YES we have to clean that up and no its not okay. It is just as unacceptable to allow them to order a wait person around. Your ten year old ordering her own food and demanding it be cooked to still be juicy with extra sauce and crisp potatoes is not cute but rather annoying especially when they do not say please or thank you.
That is my last point MANNERS when did we as a society forget to teach those? I am not referring to just at restaurants on this one. I am referring to every where. Your child when in public is a direct representation of what kid of parent you are. So when you child walks around cussing like a sailor and hanging with the "bad" crowd it makes it look like you are either oblivious and blind or don't care about what your child is doing. We should be teaching them from the beginning that they are going to be expected to behave a certain way so that once they are the age of being out and about on their own they will make better decisions. Please and Thank You are great starters. I have begun to teach mine to say Yes Ma'am and Yes Sir I think that is getting back to the basics and will eventually help my children excel in life. So please be aware of your kids be aware of what they are doing and please keep in mind a restaurant is not a child's play ground. They are a direct reflection of your parenting. So if your kid is screaming, throwing food or turning a restaurant into a race track expect people to look at you like you are insane.
Thanks
From one parent to another
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