Parenting can be a monumental challenge. Between juggling the daily tasks of keeping our kids engaged, healthy, and fed, it often becomes overwhelming. This leads many parents to opt for dining out rather than dealing with the chaos of cooking at home, conveniently forgetting the chaos of their last restaurant outing. Recently, a frustrated parent reached out to an advice columnist after their young child was reprimanded by a server for wandering in a “medium-nice” restaurant. The response they received was a blunt reminder that when taking children out to eat, they should not be allowed to roam freely—except perhaps when they are exploring the chicken tenders they may end up rejecting.
If you haven’t come across “Parenting Insights,” a must-read column from “The Ledger,” penned by Samantha Turner, it’s filled with invaluable advice on navigating parenthood. One parent voiced their frustration after their four-year-old was scolded for running around the establishment. “My son is just a typical, energetic little boy, and sitting still for an entire meal is tough for him, so we let him wander a bit,” the parent explained. They noted their waitress giving their child a disapproving look, prompting them to intervene. First of all, you shouldn’t wait for a disapproving glance to teach your child to behave in a setting where others are trying to enjoy their meal. Secondly, no, just no.
The dad mentioned that he posted about the incident on social media and received “judgmental” feedback. He continued to share that while his son was generally well-behaved, he occasionally got in the way of a server carrying a tray, which naturally led to the server asking him to return to the table. “I thought her reprimand was unnecessary; she should have addressed us directly instead of correcting our child,” he stated. He then added that he left a 5% tip and briefly spoke to her manager, signing off with, “It’s Tough for a 4-Year-Old to Stay Seated.” Oh, absolutely not.
Samantha didn’t hold back in her response. “Yes, this falls squarely on your shoulders. You are responsible,” she asserted, emphasizing that parents must instill proper manners before bringing their children to restaurants. “Letting a child ‘explore’ a restaurant is simply unacceptable,” she continued, pointing out that had he made his child return to the table immediately, this entire scenario could have been avoided. “You weren’t parenting effectively, so the server stepped in. She was right, and you were wrong.”
To conclude her advice, she suggested a path to reconciliation: “Apologize to the manager for your complaint about the server and leave her a more appropriate tip.”
In summary, parenting at restaurants requires clear boundaries and effective discipline. Allowing children to wander unchecked can create chaos, not just for the parents but for other diners too. To maintain a pleasant dining experience, it’s crucial to ensure children understand acceptable behavior in public settings.