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Health & Fitness

When Friends Parent Differently...

Kids in restaurants...what's happening? Should kids be 'seen and not heard' or ought they be free to run wild and play under the table?

Welcome to my first blog post. I'm a Dublin mother of three and have been married 16 plus years to the world's greatest husband.

We have a 9-year-old son and 7- and 4-year-old daughters. We've lived in Dublin for about 13 years and think that the East Bay is just about the finest place to raise a family.

I'm a full time student in a post-baccalaureate program to earn my teaching license and credential, and look forward to a career in teaching when our youngest is a bit older. I'm an open minded, slightly liberal thinker and I look forward to exchaging thoughts with our fabulous community.

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My topic today is about kids in restaurants and I'm eager to hear what you think.

So if you have kids, you have undoubtedly found yourself faced with the peculiar predicament of what to do when your child is expected to observe certain rules, while their friends are free to do as they please. Additionally, there is the added element of how to handle these situations if the other child's parents are present or if they are under your supervision. 

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So, what do you do? Not too long ago, we were dining at a family restaurant with some friends when their children casually slipped under the table and started playing, banging, etc. Our children have been taught that if they wish to dine out, they must behave appropriately and sit at the table and mind their manners. 

Now, the "under the table kids" were having a grand ol' time, while my kids sat wide-eyed trying to figure out a) why these kids aren't getting busted, and b) if there is any chance they might get to join them. So, I seized the opportunity to quietly commend my kids on their nice behavior and thank them for setting a good example, at the risk of insulting my friends and their kids. 

I ask you, did I do the right thing? Am I too strict a parent? One school of thought is that family restaurants are there for that very purpose, so kids can muck about while their parents are free to eat and chat. "It's not like they're at the Ritz...so let them play." Well, I tend to disagree.

I think that if we want our children to be able to behave like little ladies and gentlemen if given the opportunity to dine at the Ritz, we can use the table at Applebees or IHOP as a training ground to teach them how to behave in a restaurant.

Should a child be expected to know the difference between the rules in a 4 star establishment versus a diner? Why should there be two sets of rules depending on the price of your entree?

I'm curious to know what you're all thinking, and additionally, how you feel when you are in a restaurant and the kids at the next table are screaming banshees while you're trying to relax? OK, friends... let me hear what you've got! 

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