Posted on 11/14/2005 5:51:48 AM PST by Cagey
Parent Says Restaurant Offers Kid Food, So It Should Cater To Kids
"We were surprised at how many times we would see children really out of control," McCauley said. "And we actually had people leaving the bakery because the children were so out of control."
So, he put a sign on the door at kids' eye-level, asking children of all ages to use their "indoor voices."
"We thought it was just a friendly reminder to people that when they come here, just be considerate of the people around them. We had no idea the kind of controversy that was going to explode out of this," McCauley said.
But some parents who spoke with NBC5's Natalie Martinez took immediate offense to the sign. The angry mothers said there are plenty of places in the Andersonville neighborhood where they can take their kids, even if they're acting out.
"I've e-mailed friends and said, 'Just so you know, this man has a sign up. I know there are lots of other options, and I'd encourage you not to go there,'" parent Kate Bremmer said.
When she spoke with Martinez, Bremmer and her kids were picking out goodies at a Swedish bakery, where all kids are welcome.
"Our custom has been to offer a cookie to every child that comes into the store for as long as I can remember," said Kathy Stanton-Cromwell, the co-owner of the bakery, which is just a few doors down from A Taste of Heaven.
Stanton-Cromwell said the cookie serves as "a good calmer" for kids who are acting up.
Bremmer said A Taste of Heaven "is not a five-star restaurant," so she thinks it should cater to kids, not the other way around.
"They offer ice cream cones and cookies and lots things that kids love, and therefore, I don't think that they should make such an issue of it," Bremmer said.
Other parents enjoying lunch with their kids at A Taste of Heaven were more diplomatic.
"I have mixed feelings about it. It's a little off-putting," one mother said.
Linda Wallace, also a mother who eats at A Taste of Heaven, said she thought McCauley was "sort of brave" for putting up the sign.
"It did cross my mind that he might offend some people," she said.
McCauley said he loves kids, although he has none of his own. He said he has no immediate plans to take the sign down.
When I was a small tot I threw a tantrum in a grocery store because I did not get something I really wanted. I only did it once. Getting my behind beaten RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORE IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY by my mother broke me of the habit real quick. Those were the good old days folks, and now they are gone forever.
I support the stance of the bakery and I am a parent of two active, lively children.
"I'll report her to Child Protective Services and let the State take responsibility for her vermin."
See, this is part of the problem of why people won't discipline their kids in public. Some nosy busybody calling CPS on a woman who swats her out of control 5 year old. Some over-zealous caseworker could make an innocent mother's life miserable.
And I'm right there with you both!!!!
I love your Cruella tale..............I dressed up as dear Cruella for Halloween on numerous occassions.
Sounds the like mothers aren't and aren't reprimanding their kids. They should quit blaming the child for the bratty behavior. Be a parent and not a "best friend".
Either you have no kids or you got lucky and have kids without personality.
Actually, wolves demand more respect from their babies than most of these parents demand from theirs.
susie
Well the sign DOES say kids of all ages.
Our local grocery seems inhabited by badly behaved children and clueless mothers.This is one of the reasons I prefer to go grocery shopping at 3am or so.
I've thought for awhile that if grocery stores that aren't open 24-7 advertised "no kids night" on a normally slow weeknight, they'd boost their business.
-Eric
Way back in my Bad Ole Daze I encountered one of those parent types. He was standing by the entrance door of the local K-Mart as I entered, holding his kid – around 5 or 6 years old. The kid looked right at me, giggled and spit. It hit my jacket. Dad just shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
I calmly asked the man to set the kid down for a minute. When he did I hit him as hard as I could right on the nose. I couldn’t hit the kid – but I sure could nail the father.
"All Unattended Children Will Receive a Free Espresso (with extra double sugar) and a Puppy!"
Post #3 well said. A lot of these parents are Boomers who grew up detesting authority. They let their kids do pretty much they want but when the feces hit the fan they'll be the first ones bashing those in position of authority.
I didn't grow up with parents who disciplined properly and that is why I had such a hard time in my pre teen to young adult life (and probably still if it weren't for the grace of God!). Yeesh, bad memories of their attempts! Even worse memories of my response or consequential life! Ack!
Heck! Change that sign to "WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SPANK OUR PATRONS!"
I'd certainly go there if I lived in that town.
I despise parents who let their kids run amuck.
Anyone offended by this sign is offended because she KNOWS her kids are the hellions who prompted this action.
lol clean up on aisle 1!
lol My oldest was a chatterbox and ornery as all get out. It was VERY difficult taking him to restaurants because he couldn't sit still and wouldn't stop talking to everyone. Most people thought he was adorable but there WERE those that just wanted to eat in peace w/o a toddler peeking over the booth "Hi! My name is John! I'm 3!!! What are you eating? Can I have a french fry??"
No doubt. That is almost always what my thoughts are; it's the parents who need the rod.
Mama used to tell us about the time, one hot summer in Mississippi, when my older siblings were young. She'd had about enough of the bickering and smart talk and went out in the yard to get the switch herself. As she marched back through the house, peeling leaves off as she went, she didn't notice the house had gotten VEWY quiet. She came through yelling, "I'm gonna beat the hell out of every damn one of you!". Then she looked up to see Father Glenn standing in the doorway. She said she wasn't even chagrined to see him, she just shook the switch in his face and said, "You're just the man we need right now!". He just laughed and said "You remind me of MY mother!"
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