Controlling kids in public?

Causing debate on our Facebook page yesterday was an Image posted by Melbourne Mummas about a cafe that displays the above sign so we shared and asked the question. How does the sign above make you feel? Would you go to this cafe with your children? Check out the 170+ comments here

We thought we’d bring it over here for further discussion.

Do you avoid public places like restaurants and cafe’s out of fear your child(ren) may misbehave? I’m one of those mums who has children that tend to get easily hyped up (one has adhd) so for me I avoid public places where I feel my children may annoy or distract others. That said if we ever go out to such places they do “try” to behave and we teach them how they should act and what they should and shouldn’t do but as many parent’s know it’s not easy to tame a lion (or a small pack in my case).

If my children do start to misbehave we give a verbal warning that we will leave (because children need boundaries and they often learn by their mistakes) and after that warning if the bad behaviour continues we go (finished or not). But I’m sure many have come across those few parents who seem to do anything BUT discipline their children when they misbehave badly in public. They seem to look and see the drama, maybe they even speak to the child, possibly threaten the child with no dessert or that they’ll leave without finishing but still no action. Are these the types of parents that this sign was intended for?

Img source: Sheknows.com

To me it seems even today that societies view of children is that they “be seen and not heard” but what classifies bad behaviour to one may not be so to another. For instance children laugh, giggle, talk a little louder, squeal when excited and even get fidgety when they get a little bored. Do these things count as bad behaviour to some? Well listening to some of the comments on our Facebook page I’d day that many classify these things as bad behaviour for restaurants and cafe’s. Is it not the same as a group of girlfriends going to a cafe and squealing  over Tatum Channing in the movie ‘Like Mike’ ? How about that really annoying guy talking to his mates on his iPhone loud enough so everyone else can hear his conversation and the persons reply on the other ends?.

Tell us your thoughts:
•Have you ever seen a sign like this? How did you feel?
•Would you go to this cafe or would the sign turn you off?
•Have you ever been interrupted by someone else’s children misbehaving while out at a cafe or restaurant? Would you speak up?