Its a tough one. You do deserve to have a night without crying children but at the same time the Mum with the bub deserves a night out also. All that can be expected is that they were doing their best to calm the baby. It is 100% ok to ask to be moved. Not sure why they got upset about that

There are two sides to every story, but I must admit I cannot stand crying children in a supermarket these days. I do have 4 of my own, but they looked at coming shopping with me as a treat and the same with going out to a restaurant. No way would I have had one of them howling and still be in the restaurant.

The mum with the crying baby sounds stressed and probably tired. Neither of them seem to see the other side to the story.

There’s no way I’d take my baby or child to a fancy restaurant and if I did and bubs was getting upset, I’d be taking the baby out of the room to try to settle it.
I think this couple should have had more consideration for the people around them. I wouldn’t care if it was at a pub but if it’s at a nice restaurant and I’d organised a babysitter for a night off, then I wouldn’t want a crying baby near me. Not at a nice restaurant (which probably means it’s expensive too).

I probably wouldn’t take my kid out to a fancy restaurant but I don’t think you are the a*hole. Some restaurants have Adults only dining sections to avoid issues like this.

No you aren’t in the wrong with your thinking. Wonder how they would feel if they got a babysitter and had someone sit next to them with a crying baby? I think your sister should have understood too. Don’t let it get to you. Some people are just selfish and only think of themselves.

I probably wouldnt take my kid to a fancy restaurant if there was a chance there was non stop crying

It’s situations like this just shows peoples selfishness. Okay you wanted a kid free night that’s fine but put yourself in the other person’s shoes, how would you feel

You are NOT an arsehole and totally in the right. Bet you don’t go and steal balls from ball pits- you don’t ruin kids time, so they shouldn’t ruin yours.

Not the a-hole. I have two young children too and I would never take them to a ‘very nice, fancy restaurant’. It’s not the right place. The other parents should choose a more family friendly restaurant in future.

The mum would’ve felt so embarassed i couldn’t imagine if someone felt that way about me and my children. There was probably a better way of handling it

• • 
  • • Ellen replied
    • 11 Nov 2022 , 8:45 am

  ---

  

  mm, I’ve received comments about my child in which case I apologize and take a walk to distract it

You’ve done nothing wrong at all, asking to be moved is a polite gesture rather than approaching the parents and asking them to move or keep their child quiet. It’s a big thing to go out for a date night with Your partner and you’re entitled to a little quiet time without a child crying.

I think you asked nicely enough by the sounds of it and you didn’t cause any more fuss even when the parents did…so no you’re not

Not the a**hole at all.

I feel for everyone, but I also totally understand. I’ve been the Mum of a baby so I understand how much a date means, or if you take your child out, how hard it is to make sure you’re not annoying everyone. So, we would go to certain restaurants with our young child where it was normal to have children there; and then somewhere totally different when we went out without our child. That’s a win win for everyone.

Not everyone is lucky to have someone to care for their kids and to go out for a nice dinner. I would just ask to move not worth the unnecessary confrontation.

Not in the wrong at all to ask to move but probably could have been a little kinder when confronted by the mum and just explained that you were out for the first time and wanted some peace. You don’t know that mums back story, maybe she was almost at breaking point and literally had to get out for a bit? a little compassion goes a long way sometimes…

I think she asked nicely and the waiter was understanding. A pity that the mum got so offended. I assume she didn’t hear the whole conversation as she thought the couple didn’t have children. Maybe when she would have heard the whole conversation, she would have responded differently. People quickly jump to conclusion.

• • 
  • • mom93821 replied
    • 12 Nov 2022 , 7:50 am

  ---

  Sadly, communication and listening seems to be lacking these days.

I would move tables and not engage in conversation.

She has every right to ask to me moved . When the mother confronted her she could have nicely laughed it off and said I left my two at home to get away from the noise for a date night and continued to move. The mother had no need to make a scene and call her names.