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A woman is speaking out after she was criticised for taking her toddler to a cafe.

Jill Murphy shared on SMH that she was sitting in a cafe with our then two-year-old daughter, who was neither throwing crockery nor screaming.

Jill explained, “She was, however, talking slightly more loudly than the average adult diner being, after all, a toddler.

“A woman came and sat at the table next to us, sighed loudly, and said in a dismayed tone: “People want to go out and enjoy their food, you know. They don’t want to have to put up with children.”

“I immediately reddened and felt guilty for ruining everyone’s lunch.

“The proprietor asked us to move to a dim table up the back.

We ate as fast as we could, desperately hoping that our child wouldn’t do anything too … childish.”

Jill writes, “Newsflash: despite having children, parents continue to be people, and we therefore continue to have caffeine addictions and other needs – to buy food, to go to the doctor, sometimes even (gasp) to fly interstate.”

Jill questions, “Where did this idea come from that we shouldn’t be inconvenienced by the presence of others?”

Are kids being just an inconvenience to some people?

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  • Its hard to know as we only have one side here but I have seen in the past some children that really run riot and the parents can tune them out as they are used to it but for others its a nightmare and makes it hard for you to even have a conversation. I would use places like McD’s as training grounds for my kids on how to behave in a resturant. My kids would always be stunned at other children running through McD’s and yelling at each other as they head to the playground and parents saying nothing at all to them. My kids were taught to walk and never run in a resturant and you talk not yell. Hense i could take my kids anywhere and not worry that they would let me down.

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  • It’s not like the child was being really unruly. Seriously, ignorant people need to understand Mums need and deserve to have a life too.

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  • It’s hard to find the balance and juggle children in social scenarios. Mums shouldn’t be forced to drink coffee at Maccas. It’s a shame this mum didn’t find the words to express herself in public. She’s a full paying customer too

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  • Is it really hitting back if you make a passive aggressive complaint hours later?

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  • The child was being very well behaved. OMG this child was talking a bit louder than adults. So what. What about adults who have conversations on their phone (and they are definitely not quiet), do they get asked to move to another spot. The woman who complained should have been told to move. If she wants somewhere quiet maybe she should try another place like a restaurant or (heaven forbid) she should make a coffee at home.

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  • How rude of her. If she didn’t like it SHE should have been the one to leave the cafe!

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  • Wow! How rude. I took my son to a cafe/coffee place from an early age. It was my sanctuary. Coffee time was my time before or after we did what we needed to do. Obviously some people forget what it’s like to have kids or be around them. Disappointing behaviour and intolerance, really.

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  • Why did the lady sit next to them if she did not want to sit next to a well behaved child?

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  • How awful! I wouldn’t be going back there ever again!!

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  • I love to see children out, especially if they are not being disruptive. Some people forget that they were a child once.

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  • If the child wasn’t being bratty or obnoxious then it was probably uncalled for. Personally I’m not a fan of uncontrolled little ones or adults in any environment.

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  • I think some people forget that they were once a child as well.

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  • So long as children aren’t screaming, then I’m happy to be around them, but I personally wouldn’t be in the restaurant any way as I prefer to drink coffee in my own home rather than in a café.

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  • Adults can be quite rude. I’d rather be around a room of kids anyday.

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  • This rude arrogant woman is wrong and I also believe the restaurant was also wrong in their actions.
    Like other moms have said we need to take our children out for them to learn. Children are our future and without them we would not exist.


    • Exactly! Children are our future and we need to teach them well and to to be respectful of each other.

    Reply

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