My first reaction was shock. How could a business decide to just ban kids under 6?! Then the old tune from "Snoopy Come Home" popped in my head..."No Dogs Allowed", and I giggled to myself. These businesses are genius! NO I'm not comparing my child to a dog BUT when I'm out and about without my 18 month old I ENJOY the quiet and lack of stress that can come along with taking a toddler out to eat or pick up groceries.
Connor is a pretty well behaved and mild mannered toddler. Kevin and I consider ourselves fairly lucky. Why should we have to endure a child crying, spitting out food or screaming while we're out on a date night? We could stay home and get that kind of show!
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| Yes he's super cute... BUT yes... it's gross! |
We actually haven't ate out much lately because Connor is getting to the point where he is curious about his surroundings and wants to get out of the highchair to investigate. He'll also scream if he doesn't want what is on his plate. I don't want to be dealing with it, so why would the people next to me want to deal with it? I'm not saying kids shouldn't go out to eat BUT thought should be put behind where the parents are taking their kids.
My mom told me when she was a single mother and didn't have my sister and I on her weekends off, she would ask the host at the restaurant to sit her far away from small children. It was her break! I don't blame her! When she did take us out to eat, you bet she was reminding us about acceptable behavior!
The idea of grocery stores having "child free hours" really excites me! I leave Connor home when I go shopping on Saturday mornings because he's just not the cute little baby that used to roll with the shopping trips. Two weeks ago I was in the pasta aisle and there were three kids screaming. My time out of the house alone is precious whether I'm getting my brows waxed or picking up food for the week.
I'm sure there are two ends of the spectrum on these thoughts. My thought is I know my child can be annoying as well as your child. There is no denying it. Businesses are finally listening to the consumer and I'm excited!
