I can not even afford a cheap restaurant so can not really answer this. If I could afford it though and my wine was knocked off the table would be angry. With everything increasing with living costs though people with kids will not be able to afford expensive places to eat so the problem may rectify itself. I envy people that can eat out. We do it maybe twice a year.

If your child cannot sit still at a table and behave I would not take them

Rather than a no child policy, it might be good that restaurant have a clear policy, so it’s clear where you chose for;
*restaurant for kids
*family friendly restaurant
*restaurant for only adults

My family and I were seated next to a table of middle-aged women who drank themselves silly and made more noise than the whole restaurant put together. It’s not only children who can be loud and annoying.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 28 Aug 2022 , 6:55 am

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  Indeed, all ages can forget about how to socialise, be respectful and be considerate of others when dining out in public.

Hmm I’m on the fence with this one. If a Resturant wants to go child free I’d totally accept that eg. A hot pot place in melb expressly recommends not to bring children. I do feel for the family with kids in this situation, sometimes usually well behaved kids can have a bad night

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 28 Aug 2022 , 7:46 am

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  Yes I agree with you.

It’s really hare to judge this situation without knowing the families situation. Also did anyone ask for them to be quieter? or to have their children remain seated? Parents with children are allowed to eat in restaurants too, but no one should be majorly inconvenienced.

It would be annoying having to listen to them when paying big bucks but it is what it is.

I think the parents should have abut more consideration. I think that there’s a time and a place to take the kids out.

See I don’t go to such restaurants but I see no issue

We have always taken our kids to all sorts of restaurants from a young age. We taught them the rules and explained the expectations and code of behaviour for eating out. We have never had any issues because it has been on us to be responsible and considerate of others. Learning how to socialise and eat out is such an important life skill for the future.

This is a tricky one because not all kids are disruptive… I have four and I would be more than comfortable taking my 3 eldest children to any restaurant because I know they would be well behaved. My youngest on the other hand ( she’s only two)….well I can’t guarantee how she’ll behave; especially when she’s tired so I avoid going anywhere with her that’s not family friendly, especially in the evenings as I know she’s more likely to be cranky and tired. I guess its just about being considerate of other people. Unfortunately not all people think like this so I can understand the frustration when you just want to eat your meal in peace… Having said that it’s not only children that can be disruptive….. Maybe there could be a policy for ANYONE that’s being disruptive?

This is honestly on the parents, taking kids out at 7:30 for dinner is really late… I do sorta agree though but not banned all together, just after a certain time say, 7:30-8ish.

As with most things in life, it comes down to consideration… both as a community interacting with children and as parents having our children interact with the community. Let’s my considerate of each other.

This is a tricky one. I’ve got kids myself and I’m more than happy taking them out because I know they’ll behave. However, other people’s kids can sometimes drive me insane. If their kids were misbehaving, they should have been the ones to leave early. I don’t think kids should be banned, however, perhaps reserve earlier sessions for people with kids or even have an area of the restaurant that is a parent area. AND as a responsible parent don’t take your kids out that is at a time when they should be getting ready for bed. At that age, 7.30pm was my kid’s bedtime.

People and kids enjoy eating whether it’s at a cheap restaurant or expensive, we are all entitled to eat at what ever restaurant we want kids included. I work as a flight attendant and often get people complaining about kids crying or being noisy, I kindly remind them they were kids once and everyone has a right to fly to holiday destinations. People who have issues with kids being noisy should book later dinner reservations. There are many adults at expensive restaurants that are noisy as well.

Honestly I bet that family didn’t even get a chance to enjoy their expensive meal as well and wherever they go it would be the same situation for them. The couple that’s complaining go somewhere else where there isn’t kids.

Just find a restaurant where no kids are allowed.
We never go out for dinner without our kids and pick a kid-friendly restaurant when we can.
Last time I went out for dinner with my kids was a disaster and I wished myself I never want to go out for dinner again….

It definitely comes down to parenting. I don’t know how some parents ignore the behaviour of their children in restaurants. My son has behavioural issues and I am super aware of how his behaviour is impacting other diners. I’ve tried the iPad for entertainment, but I don’t like that look in a nicer quality restaurants. So we either dine at family friendly restaurants all together at suitable early-dining hours, or if my partner and I want to go somewhere nicer, we will get a sitter.

I do kind of agree, if you are paying a fortune for a meal. There is a restaurant that my hubby and I love and it is expensive but since having our baby we haven’t gone there cause I would feel so bad for the other customers if our son started crying and disturb the atmosphere of the place.

We take our 3 and 5 year old girls with us to all sorts of restaurants, fancy, casual and everything in between.

As the parents its alot of responsibility to time it right and have some “stuff” to entertain the girls. We generally have a happy, calm meal. Our children are learning to respect that their are other people around us to have a nice night out as well.
We can’t teach them that if we don’t put them in the environment to do so..

So no. I do not think families should be singled out. We pay the same money, we go to the restaurant for the same experience. Why should we be singled out because we have our children with us??

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  • • mom266099 replied
    • 27 Aug 2022 , 12:28 am

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  In this ladies case.. the parents seem to be the issue. Not the kids. Parents need to be respectful and responsible for their children. Entertain them YES, but there are other ways to go about it.. coulring in, book, game?? Not rocket science.