'No Kids Allowed' Movement Becoming Popular
Many businesses and communities across the nation are banning or restricting children, stirring up controversy for parents and patrons.
Don't be surprised if you start to see more signs like this one.
Diana Weber
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I bet you never thought that when you had kids you wouldn’t be able to take them out in public.
That day has come, parents, and I have mixed feelings about this new trend. When my kids were younger, it was extremely difficult to listen to any bit of raised volume, let alone high-pitched squealing.
There’s just something about a child’s shrill screams that can be bloodcurdling to parents, let alone others. Kids come with these boisterous antics that are part of the package — all parents deal with this issue at one point or another.
If I don’t want to hear it from my own kids, I know others aren’t going to want to listen to it, either. But should that mean that parents of younger or ill-behaved children shouldn't be able to enjoy going out with their kids or at least be able to make the attempt?
Restricting Kids, Improving Business
Apparently, many business owners across the country don’t want to subject their patrons to your children’s misbehavior, either. Recently, the “No Kids Allowed” movement seems to be sweeping across our nation, taking bold steps to ban or limit kids from restaurants, air transportation, movie theaters, living communities and more.
But what does this really mean?
Not only is this a controversial stride gaining jaw-dropping public attention; it’s also gaining a lot of support from kid-free adults and surprisingly even some parents. And the kicker: Business is booming for those adopting the new rules.
Of course, there are many people who are outraged and even feel that discrimination is at work here, and therefore these bans should be illegal. The fact is, we live in America, where private businesses have a right to set their terms.
This brat-free revolution seemed to be kick-started when Malaysia Airlines banned children from first-class cabins, prompting many other airlines to consider changing their policies. A Whole Foods store in Missouri now offers kid-free hours – for those who don’t want to be bothered with screaming kids in carts, I can only assume. Since when is grocery shopping meant to be a Zen experience?
In Florida, a homeowners association in Edgewater is considering banning children from playing outside, citing safety concerns. Kids not allowed to play outside their homes? Isn’t that a natural right? Just last month, DeFrains restaurant in Pennsylania started banning kids younger than 6. Sorry little one, you’re out of luck, but your brother gets to eat.
This all could be coming to a business near you, so don’t be surprised when you end up ordering takeout or renting movies a lot more often.
Are Irresponsible Parents to Blame?
St. Petersburg parent Jeff Carter does not agree with what businesses are doing, but he understands what may have led to this extreme push.
“It’s wrong for businesses to ban kids, but to be fair they do it because too many parents won't be responsible when in social settings with their small children," he said. "Many parents use social settings as a babysitter, and it’s wrong, but it will continue due to lack of parenting skills and education.”
I get it. No one wants to expect to have a nice evening only for it to be ruined by unruly tikes who are not behaving appropriately. Trust me, there were many times that my ex and I would attempt to go out to dinner with our kids when they were much younger.
You can’t always predict what your children’s mood or behavior may be, but it’s a parent’s job to react accordingly. On several occasions, one of us would be left at the table to eat while the other was outside calming an upset child until they were able to return to the table calmly.
We were always considerate of those around us. Granted, not all parents react that way, and I have no issues with restaurant staff asking a parent to take a child outside until the situation can be resolved.
Sometimes Disruptions Just Happen
We grew up knowing how to behave at a very young age, but I don’t think all parents today take the time to reinforce proper manners. However, this isn’t always the issue. Sometimes parents just have a situation to deal with – nothing more, nothing less.
I also take no offense if businesses establish dedicated family areas and adult-only zones. Banning kids altogether is questionable; however, I think there can be exceptions.
It’s not uncommon for vacation resorts, bed and breakfasts, and even cruise lines to offer adult-only facilities. I have no issue with this, and it’s nice to know if I want to go on a quiet respite that I have those options available. If a business is catering to a certain clientele and young children would not be conducive to the services and environment, I think it does have the right to be exclusive.
We need to look at this issue realistically, and it will be interesting to see how far this “No Kids Allowed” movement goes. The way I look at it, if a business is willing to risk losing my business permanently, then it wasn’t after it from the start.
There are plenty of kid-friendly places that will be glad to accept my patronage. I’m OK with this. Just make sure that when the obnoxious guy talking on his cellphone disrupts everyone's meal, you kick him out, too.
Find kid-friendly restaurants in the Gulfport Patch directory.
Douglas Hudson
7:49 am on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
What perfect timing...Just this past weekend, my partner and I enjoyed a terrific dinner at one of Gulfport's restaurants. Service was excellent, food was excellent, but around 8pm, near the end of our meal, members of the restaurant owner's family arrived with a birthday cake, and several young children. We were the ONLY customers in the restaurant.
We planned to sit and enjoy the some conversation over drinks, but the kids ran around screaming...back and forth...in and out of the tables. The adults were unable to control the situation. The result: we cut our visit short... cancelled our drink order and opted for no dessert.
Diane Lecik
8:28 am on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
As a mother of four grown boys, I have have had my share of noise and inconvience at home and in public. I almost never took those BOYS to restraunts when they were young. I did NOT enjoy the dinner with them. I also did not want to bother other people. Today, I do Not enjoy trying to get around strollers , carriers, babies or small children swinging messy hands, or Screeching and screaming. I have the idea that if I go out to eat, I should be able to RELAX and ENJOY my dinner and companions without trying to ignore all the distractions. I give up trying to hear my husband talk above noisy babies, any age children, TVs and music. I think there should be limits on times to bring children to dinner. I will gladly wait until 9pm to go out to dinner if I can enjoy it more. Even when my children were small, I didn't like to hear someone else's children scream and cry while trying to have a rare night out without my own children. Grocery Stores are another matter. How can you think about what you need to buy with all the distractions of child-car-carts with whiny, begging and screaming children? Mothers who let their children push shopping carts are irresponsible. Many times over years I have been run into by small children pushing carts that they can't even see over.
Douglas Hudson
8:34 am on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Let me be clear...I think the problem is with the PARENTS of the UNSUPERVISED children who allow their kids to treat restaurants, grocery stores, etc as their own playground.
Tony Althaus
7:15 pm on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Children if banned from being in a social setting will never develop the skills necessary to actively function in a public scenario. How will they learn right from wrong when in public if they are not allowed. I think it is utterly ridiculous to even consider banning children of any age from a restaurant or grocery store or any other public place. If you, as a business owner, feel it appropriate to consider doing such things, make it a members only store and set rules and regulations which ban children till they reach a certain age. Then, what about challenged people with mental handicaps, ever seen one of them having an episode they can be just as disruptive as any child. We would never dream of doing that because it would be discrimination right!! While you're at it why not ban people of certain ethnic backgrounds or religious beliefs. I though for the most part "We the people" included children and their rights!! Next you'll probably agree that it is okay to put you kid in the trunk of the car while you partake in a nice quiet dinner or shopping trip without those bothersome children. Just remember we were all children, how would you have liked it to be told you can't ever go to a public place till you reach a certain age.
Robert Burkhart
8:40 pm on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
I understand a parents perspective. Should the parents stay home with their kids until they are grown? Thats probably asking too much. I felt my parents had the right idea. When I was a kid and my younger brother and I wanted to go places with my parents, my parents took us out to dinner we went to kid friendly places (McDonalds, Wendy's etc.) We were told, "If you misbehave here, you won't go with us to the nice restaurants." My parents made us sit at the table, use napkins, practice proper etiquette and we had to be quiet, and yes there was some discipline involved. Guess what? It worked. I have no problem with dealing with loud children at a McDonalds, Ihop, or Denny's. When I am paying $5.00 for a meal I expect that. When I am on a date with my girlfriend paying $50-$100 for fine dining, I dont want to hear unruly children! Tony, I fully understand your argument but it's not fair to the people who want to relax and enjoy their meal/shopping etc... Other persons issues shouldn't be the problem of everyone in the establishment. If the children cant behave, keep them at home and/or hire a sitter. If you cant afford one, then consider family dining/shopping at child friendly establishments, Or better yet, teach the children to behave. It should be up to the business owner. If the business owner wants to allow patrons with unruly children in their business, fine. It's my decision not to frequent that establishement.
Diana M. Weber
9:28 pm on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
You all share my sentiments....there are appropriate times and places for kids, and even then if your kids aren't behaving it's the parent's job to step in and take action. If my kids misbehaved somewhere as they got a little older...I would leave. They lost the privilege. Follow through is huge parents...don't say it and not do it. As a parent...I see both sides of the coin. I definitely look forward to kid free opportunities to enjoy adult conversation without distraction. If I'm breaking away from my kids, I don't want to hear yours...but then again, the responsibility is also on me to pick a place that doesn't really cater to young kids and I could expect that the ambiance will be appropriate for that. However, kids need to learn somewhere and they won't learn acceptable social behavior unless they are exposed...so parents do need to venture out with their kids...just know when to react, and how to react when spaghetti starts to fly. :-)
Tony Althaus
10:35 pm on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
I can fully understand the point that ultimately the parents should be responsible for the actions of their child, but this article is about taking the choice away to even give the opportunity for children to be a part of the scene. I grew up in restaurants my whole life and I can't recall ever misbehaving because I knew if I did I would have literally got my ass beat when we got home or maybe even right there on the spot. Fear like that is non-existent these days.