What is WRONG with people?!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

We went to my favorite restaurant tonight, On the Border. We were sitting facing the larger booth type seats that sit probably 6 people. I noticed a few things I HAD to share with you.
First of all, what is it with so called parents who go to dinner with their children and then drink Margarita after Margarita then DRIVE their family home? This bothers the shit out of me.
Then one notable family, when getting up, there was a little hubbub with the managers. Then as they were walking by, I noticed their little girl who looked like she was maybe 2 or 3. It looked like she had someone's blood on her. That's when I realized she had gotten into a fight with a bowl of salsa. They left, and we watched them cleaning up their booth. Son of a Bitch! It took them 15 minutes to clean this booth. IT was totally trashed. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?! It's a good thing I was not one of those managers. I would have charged them extra to clean that shit up. They apparently weren't paying attention to their kids because there were PILES of crunched up chips UNDER the table. These are a set of the parents who were getting sloshed with their dinner. What the hell? Why do people have freaking children and then ignore them? Why take them to dinner and ignore them? Can't they ignore them at home and let them destroy THEIR Dining room instead of the restaurant's? God, people are such assholes. What the heck?
Duckie

[kwassa]

1. Do you have kids? Have you been around small children?

It doesn't sound like it.

Little kids are messy, and throw food. They don't mean to. It's all about developing motor skills.

Has little to nothing to do with parents paying attention to them or not. Parents and restaurants are used to it. You don't need to worry.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

3. I was a little kid...

And I never did that. My mother would have beat the shit out of me. I have been around my cousins. They are pleasant children. WE entertain them while we are eating or waiting for the food. They do not destroy their booths. :shrug:
Duckie

[kwassa]

18. you can't remember being 2 years old

so you really don't know what you did back then.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

21. No, but I know my parents...

And they would have beat the shit out of me. Ask them.
Duckie

[kwassa]

27. so, your parents abused you as a child?

sorry, couldn't resist.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

29. Oh my God.

Yes, but not until I was older. And it was more Psychological. And it was once I stopped being cute. And I was fucking cute until I was 7.
Duckie

[theredpen]

5. There are limits

I remember one particular dinner with some parents and their 2-year-old. Great kid, love him to death, but he started flinging food. They managed to get him to cut it, but they had to be firm. They were embarrassed (although they need not have been — I understood that kids can be unruly). It sounds like the parents in this story weren't paying attention. If they kids had been left unattended, I can see that, but they weren't.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. The parents were ignoring the kids, while getting shitfaced.

[lost-in-nj]

8. WTF!?!?!?

My kids NEVER did that....


never

they were not perfect
but they knew how to act in public....
don't EVER blame the kids...
it's the parents


how many kids do you have???


I have 2
and i never was embarrassed or left a restaurant feeling guilty because of them


you reap
what you sow
truer words have NEVER been spoken




lost

[kwassa]

19. how much control do you have over an infant in a high chair?

[lost-in-nj]

22. ALOT

you do not have to feed them in the restaurant
I would feed the infants home...
they were satisfied..so the time in the chair was "funtime"
brought cheerios......

think ahead


do not blame the kids......
if my children ever misbehaved,either me or my husband was outside in the car with them

sorry you are not going to win this one

Mom and Dad have the brain...THEY know what should be done..
if they are enjoying the Margarita's more
there is a problem



lost

[kwassa]

32. I'm not blaming child or parent: it is normal young child behavior

[MichiganVote]

50. Not if you've taught your children how to eat in a civilized manner it isn't

[kwassa]

51. aat age 2 or less?

[MichiganVote]

59. Certainly. Its all part of having children. You begin to socilize them from the first meal.

We made each meal a social occasion, made sure small amounts of food were provided, attention, talking etc. As such, adult meals with drinking were not something we did. And guess what? We didn't miss it.

[kwassa]

65. of course you socialize them

but guess what? they are still very small children with limited ability to control their hands and mouths.

It's called "motor skills".

nothing particularly horrifying about this.

[MichiganVote]

72. Nonsense. You control the immediate environment for those motor control issues

but throwing food is not about motor control, its about being out of control. And when children have trouble with 'motor control', you give them small amounts of food, you model for them, you talk to them, you don;t just ignore them to enjoy a drink.

[huskerlaw]

94. Yes.

You don't give a two-year-old a bowl of salsa with which to paint herself. And you don't give her enough chips to create a huge pile on the floor.

A couple chips, a bit of salsa at a time. And if that's getting tossed on the floor, she's not eating it, so quit giving MORE.

And if your kid does make a mess, as they are known to do from time to time, be a fucking human and clean it up yourself. Or at least attempt to.

Also, did you miss the part about them getting drunk and then driving the kid home? That's extra special.

[Fleshdancer]

31. enough control to keep the salsa out of reach

kids don't need to be playing in anything that has onions, jalapenos, lime juice, and any other ingredient that would burn their eyes. That's just asking for trouble.

[kwassa]

34. I agree with that.

[RoadRage]

99. I have a 2 year old.. who was recently a 1 year old...

We have ALL of the control over her. She did make small messes on the table or high chair, but WE cleaned them up with our napkins & water. If she dropped food onto the floor, we picked it up. We also can control what kinds of food we order for her.. we opted for hamburgers with fruit instead of spaghetti or something messy.

And, you can control children running around the restaurant, jumping in the booth, throwing toys & crayons. It's called time-out and discipline. You take the child to the car if they're mis-behaving. Or, for a few months.. between 15 months - 20 months, we just didn't eat out with her because we knew it could be difficult. We ate at home, or drove through someplace so we didn't disrupt other diners.

It CAN be done, but you have to be vigilant about it!

[LeftyMom]

23. My kid was a total hellion at that age, but he never threw food around in public

If he'd started to, I'd have packed him straight out of the place. My decision to have a child does not mean that everybody in my proximity has to put up with stupid behavior- if he wants to be a jerk he can be a jerk in the car or at home.

Then again, I'm not one to take him out to eat and then ignore him while I get tanked, either.

[sasquatch]

84. Why didn't you do what midlo does: get tanked and beat your kid

:D

[Skittles]

40. UM - NO

I had five brothers and we were NEVER allowed to behave like little hooligans - END OF STORY

[ScreamingMeemie]

53. I do...and we ALWAYS cleaned up after them at restaurants.

It's the right thing to do.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

90. It is so nice to see you back in the fray.

I had missed you so much. :hug:
Duckie

[MichiganVote]

56. My children never threw food in or out of a restaurant. And if they had, I would have cleaned it up.

[madeline_con]

67. Give me a break!

My kid NEVER trashed a restaurant for one simple reason. We didn't allow it.

Motor skills? As an excuse for leaving piles of chips under the table? Please.

[Maine-ah]

77. lemme tell you as a parent of a small child

I don't let my child get out of hand like that while we're in a restaurant. I also clean up after her as well since not all food makes it to her mouth. There's usually a good amount on the floor underneath her. If she throws a tantrum, (which she hasn't yet) I plan to 1. clean up after her and 2. pay and leave. I will not tolerate it. If she's acting like a monster, it's usually for a reason, like she's tired, or not feeling well. In which case it would not be appropriate for us to take her out.

I am also a waitress, and I know how it feels to only get 5 bucks on a 50 dollar check and have to clean that crap up. The OP is right. I had one table tonight that was letting their kid run amok, trash the table and left a shitty tip to boot. With no reason too. They had good food and good service, with a server who understands how kids are. But I also know it's the parent's responsibility to take control of the situation.

Yeah, we're used to it, but it doesn't make it right.

[yvr girl]

85. I have no problem with kids being kids, but some parents suck

I remember working in a restaurant. One time I had a large table who was having fun but the parents were not paying attention to their child who was 2-3 years old. The kid was wandering around the restaurant, which is dangerous - when you're carrying a big tray of food, you can't see someone that little. Later I caught the kid about 1/2 way down a staircase that led to a mall. The parents had no idea. If I hadn't brought her back to her family, who knows what could have happened.

I've also worked in retail. I'm always shocked when someone will let their child crawl all over white furniture with mucky shoes. The child may not know better, but the parents should.

[TommyO]

88. My parents didn't take us out to restaurants until we were old enough

to control ourselves, and if one of us did act up we were taken outside until we could return to the table. There is absolutely no excuse for a family completely trashing a table like the OP described.

[knitter4democracy]

95. I'm a parent of two. We've never left a restaurant like that.

We've left smaller messes that I've tipped massively and apologized for (stuff on the floor I couldn't get to), but that's why I always had a supply of wipes with me whenever we went out.

[Darth_Kitten]

96. restaurants, malls, stores, etc are not daycare centres........

that's why people hire BABYSITTERS when they go out.......

develop your motor skills elsewhere you little savages. ;)

[theredpen]

2. Nice post, Natsi

Great rant. I certainly have nothing to add. Let me know if you find the source of assholishness in humans. I pledge my life to help eradicate it.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

4. I have no idea who you are...

...but you are my new favorite DUer!! :hug: I love you!
Duckie

[DarkTirade]

6. I think the word you're looking for here is 'entitlement'.

People like that think they are entitled to do such things. So they do.

Which reminds me... I need to catch up on http://www.waiterrant.net">Waiter Rant... :P Haven't read it in a while.

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Waiter Rant is in my top 5 blogs

:yourock:

[DarkTirade]

30. It's the only blog I read.

Other than keeping up with my livejournal friends list, that is. :P

[YellowRubberDuckie]

12. That's pretty good....

Unfortunately I don't see an archive, or I'd read them all. I've waited tables. It's some miserable shit sometimes.
Duckie

[DarkTirade]

28. Right side of the page, listed by months.

Goes all the way back to 2004. Although there was a server glitch a while back, so some of them were screwed up. Don't know if they've all been fixed.

[DarkTirade]

97. Heh, found this one in the archive...

seems to fit here fairly well.

http://waiterrant.net/?p=545

[lost-in-nj]

10. I feel sorry

for the children......

the ones that might not make it home....
and the ones who don't give a shit about they kids

lost

they are our future.....

and it scares me

[YellowRubberDuckie]

17. Yes. I wanted to take the little girl in to the bathroom and clean her up.

How sad and degrading is that?!
She looked like she'd been in a car accident. She had this dazed look in her eyes. It was the saddest thing.
Duckie

[Generic Brad]

11. Maybe the parents got shit faced because they couldn't deal with their kid's mess

You never know. :shrug:

[AlCzervik]

13. Daddy drinks because you misbehave!

[lost-in-nj]

35. hey I misbehave

because Daddy drinks



and doesn't give a shit


lost

[JVS]

64. I drink to misbehave

:evilgrin:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

14. Why aren't parents PARENTS anymore?

What the hell happened to personal responsibility? UGH

[tigereye]

38. we always cleaned up after our kid made a mess

and we were careful about how he behaved in restaurants. One time a waitress fussed at us since my kid was playing with the sugar packets.( He was a pretty good kid overall and not a brat.) We never went back -


However, it's always easy to judge people from afar. Just a thought. Whenever I see parents with kids and sometimes want to think unkindly of how they interact, I always say to myself, "walk a mile in their moccasins."

I'd be more worried about em driving home, than about the mess they made.

[MichiganVote]

54. Well when you're not much more mature than the kids themselves....

You get the idea. Seriously, I too feel appalled by the shit ass job parents are doing these days and they are all full of excuses for their own piss poor job.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

57. I don't feel that my post actually warranted a personal attack from you...

But if it makes you feel better to be sanctimonious because I don't have kids and feel that other people should take care of theirs then go ahead.
Duckie

[MichiganVote]

60. What???? I'm not attacking you. I'm supporting you..fine..forget it.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

61. Dude, I suck.

I totally misread your post. I get it now. I profusely apologize.
Duckie

[MichiganVote]

62. No problem. I could have written it better. :) But I truly meant no insult.

[Fire Walk With Me]

15. No offense YRD, but that's nothing compared to the negativity I've seen go down.

The sort of selfishness you've described is IMO normal. People treat restaurants and hotels like, well, someone else's problem. I don't know if they feel the need to have some sort of personal power or if it's unconsciousness. Worse are those who take their problems out on wait persons.

A kind word to any of these folk is a good idea, regardless of their response.

[harmonicon]

16. good question

I used to work at a video store, and every weekend, parents would come in, drunk, to get videos with their kids - scared the shit out of me. It bothered me enough that they'd take their kids around in the SUV (come on, little buddy, hop into a future destroying machine! These are the little ways I show that I hate you), but have them cart them around in those things drunk just blew my mind.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

20. If we would start enforcing our DUI laws and stop just slapping people on the wrist...

...maybe this shit would stop.
I heard that in Europe if you are caught driving drunk ONCE you get your car taken away, are not allowed to own another car and your license is revoked. Maybe it's not that bad, but we need to do that shit. Teach a lesson instead of pussy-footing around this issue.
Duckie

[Deja Q]

33. Gotta agree with you...

Though pussycats under foot usually get squashed... :(

[harmonicon]

58. I think we'd be better off treating the problem instead of the symptoms

step one would be having urban communities that are family friendly and where driving is not required. step two would be having working conditions and jobs for adults that don't make them hate their meaningless lives so much that they have to go out and get shit faced every weekend. What's the point of taking away someone's drivers license when they live in a suburb without bus service and have kids they have to cart around?

[madeline_con]

70. So, what if they had buses?

The kids parents are drunk every weekend, and they all go home with Mom and Dad shitfaced every Friday and Saturday?

Yeah, that's an intelligent solution! :sarcasm:

You're assuming an awful lot about people's lives here.

[harmonicon]

74. so you would have them not drive and also have no bus service?

that way, mom and/or dad lose their job, can't find more work, they lose the house, etc. that would be just great for their kids.

[madeline_con]

75. Wait, they hate their job, remember?

That's why they endanger their kids in the first place, their shitty job MAKES them drink! ;)

[harmonicon]

76. yep

so... if someone hates their job, they should just not work and provide for their families? great idea.

[madeline_con]

78. Are there no taxis?

ON EDIT they could beeak out a bottle at home, and put the kids to bed. No one has to worry about how to get home.

[harmonicon]

79. of course they could, and they should

but we're dealing with idiots here!! I don't know that we're going to find a way to rid the world of idiots and their bad behaviour, but I don't think making the world a little more idiot-proof (in ways that would also benefit the non-idiot) is a bad thing.

[madeline_con]

80. Check post #68..

my views on alcohol and parents. :)

[LeftyFingerPop]

24. Duckie, Duckie, Duckie....

Oh dear...there are ways of handling situations like this...you just have to be open to them.

I, too, am quite put off by people in restaurants who do not seem to care about tidiness.

So, when you see those drunk driving parents sitting there getting totally sloshed with their children and making a mess, here is what you do, step by step, ok?

You need to calmly approach the largest male member in the offending party, let's call him Man #1.

Make sure you do this EXACTLY correct:

Duckie: Approaches Man #1 and says: Excuse me sir, but your drinking to excess is causing you to be obnoxious, and that mess on the floor is making me ill. Would you mind cleaning it up?

Man #1: Piss off (hic).

Duckie: Leans down towards the mans face like she is going to whisper something to him. Duckie takes her right hand, opens her palm, and jams it HARD against Man #1's throat. Duckie then closes hand around throat. Now, this is important: Simultaneously, and in one fluid motion while grabbing his throat, take your left hand and jam it between his legs HARD and squeeze his testicles.

You will notice a quick gasp of air escape the man's throat, and his eyes will bug out. This is normal, and all part of the procedure. Do not panic.

If he tries to loosen your grip on his throat, squeeze his testicles harder. Or, if vice-versa, squeeze his throat harder.

Then it's just a matter of a slight tug upwards to encourage the man to leave his chair.

Gently guide him with both hands to the mess on the floor, and use kind, gentle words of encouragement to prompt him to clean the mess up.

It's really very easy Duckie. I wish you good vibes, and best of luck with this rather onerous situation. :hug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

36. I...can't...Breath...

:rofl:

[RetroLounge]

69. You, sir, are my new hero!

:rofl:

RL

[DarkTirade]

93. ... I think I love you a little bit...

:P

[Ava]

25. i have three little sisters

twins and one that is a year older. when and it was when they were 2 and still is now hard as hell to take them out to dinner and control them. not because we ignored them, but because it's hard to control kids at that age when in public places. god forbid you spank a child or try to punish a kid in public now-a-days or else you get the evil eye from a majority of people there.

what i'm trying to say is give them a break until you've been in the same situation. it's not easy. :shrug:

:hug:


as for drinking and driving(especially with a child) that is absolutely appalling.

[kwassa]

26. Did you SEE the parents ignoring their children?

From your OP it sounds like you jumped to a conclusion without observing the interaction between parent and child. Messy children, nothing too unusual.

We took our baby girl to a Mexican restaurant last week. We watched over her closely but there were still chips on the floor, and shredded paper place mat. She is after all, a baby. We drank a pitcher of Margaritas, too, with lots of food. We were happy, but not very drunk.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

37. We saw.

I don't jump to conclusions.

[kwassa]

39. Put it in your OP next time.

the chips and salsa mess are not that unusual. Parents not interacting with their kids are wrong.

[madeline_con]

71. "Not very drunk" is too drunk to drive. n/t

[AlCzervik]

73. yup, when we go out either my husband can drink or i can but not both because

someone needs to drive home.

[snailly]

41. I'm coming in late

but anyone who visits On the Border deserves what they get. It's a "family place" so shut the fuck when that's what you get.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

44. Oh jesus Christ.

There were other families there. I mention one, and I get bitched at? Dude, listen to this. I like kids. I just hate fucking TERRIBLE parents.
There is a difference between parents and people there with their kids and the assholes I just spoke about. If you are just going to be like this, maybe you should stay out of posts like this. You have no idea what you're talking about.
Duckie

[snailly]

47. Sorry. I'm not that. I'm sorry.

I've had a bad night. My apologies.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

48. It's ok.

I'm sorry you've had a bad night.
Duckie

[TommyO]

89. "Family place" is not an excuse for crappy behavior.

[bigwillq]

42. I hear ya Duckie

and don't let those early posters bug ya.

My parents would've been all over my ass if I acted like that in public. Some parents just don't give a fuck these days.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

45. Thanks.

I just don't understand some people, ya know?

[MorningGlow]

43. Wow--that's some sucky parenting, right there

That is totally uncalled for. I mean, even if the parents didn't drink (but...drinking and then driving? and with kids? :wtf:), ignoring their kid is just so wrong--like another form of child abuse.

We have taken our son to restaurants since he was around 18 months old (he's now 4). We NEVER let him destroy the place, run around, or even be loud. And the waitstaff appreciates it, lemme tell ya.

It's easy to wrangle a kid in a restaurant:
1. Go during a child's regular mealtime.
2. Give the child a snack before you go or bring something to munch on while you read the menu.
3. Do NOT go when the child is tired. (I swear, there's nothing that pisses me off more than seeing kids out at a restaurant when they should be in bed--7:00, 8:00, etc.)
4. Do NOT go to a restaurant where there's an hourlong wait for a table.
5. Bring toys.
6. Be vigilant at all times, even if it means interrupting your own dinner or conversation. Pay. Attention. To. The. Kid.

A family friend used to say people should be forced to take a test before they're allowed to procreate...I kind of agree with him...

[YellowRubberDuckie]

46. I COMPLETELY agree with him.

A friend of mine just sent this to me. Enjoy.
Apparently Mike Judge wrote this and it got no attention. But it's so true.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upyewL0oaWA

[MorningGlow]

49. Brilliant!

I've heard Idiocracy is better than the reviews it got. I really should check it out.

As for the procreators, day-um, they could've just filmed the guy who lives nextdoor to us--thank goodness he got a divorce and so stopped at three spawn (for now, of course--he's still fairly young).

[LibDemAlways]

52. Hey Yellow Rubber Duckie

I feel your pain. I once posted about a horrendous restaurant experience involving a three year old at the next table who screamed at the top of his lungs for 20 minutes and threw plates while his mother ignored him. I got flamed bigtime by DUers who told me it was my problem and that I should have stayed home. For the record, no one of any age should be allowed to trash a restaurant. The parents have a responsibility to moniter the behavior of their kids. Restaurants bend over backwards not to say anything, much to the detriment of people who just want to enjoy the meal they are paying for without putting up with a lot of nonsense from rude people.

As for the drinking and driving....it's unconscienable. If they weren't stopped on the way home, they deserved to be.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

55. This shit was so crazy I wanted to call the cops.

IF you could have seen this little girl's face, you would understand.
If I were the proprietor, I would have a policy that at least one adult at the table has to be the DD and will not be served alcohol when there are children present. Jesus Christ.
Duckie

[JVS]

63. A buddy of mine who is a Calvinist once quipped "If you don't believe in total depravity, you're...

not paying very good attention"

[MilesColtrane]

66. My first job was bussing tables at a seafood restaurant at 15.

We dreaded the tables that where little Cletus and Brandine were seated with their families.

I've still got scars on my knuckles from punching the walls in the breakdown room.

[madeline_con]

68. There really should be a law in all states...

A single (meaning one, not marital status) parent dining with children can not be served alcohol.
If two parents are dining with children, only one can be served alcohol.

I used to work restaurants. People get snockered and drive their kids home. :puke:

[harmonicon]

81. ok, I read this because you asked me to

This is a completely insane idea. Why shouldn't parents be allowed to drink? They shouldn't drink and drive, because it's dangerous and against the law, and they also shouldn't become inebriated around their children, because they're parents! However, I don't see what's wrong with there being all ages dining establishments. Why can't a family go to a restaurant and have the adults have a few beers or a bottle of wine, so long as they don't drive home? Hell, if it's before the meal, I don't see why they can't have one drink and then drive home, so long as they're below the legal limit.

[madeline_con]

82. So, who watches them leave, to be sure they're not driving? n/t

[harmonicon]

83. who makes sure people don't break all laws?

should axes not be sold because some people are axe murders? Should belts not be sold because parents can hit their kids with them? Once again, the problem can be solved by 1. people having common sense, and 2. sensible urban planning - maybe city governments shouldn't give restaurants permission to serve alcohol if it isn't in walking distance from a residential area. Maybe people should say "no" to strip malls and living in suburbs.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

91. As long as they are not driving, that is fine...

But in Oklahoma, everyone drives.
Duckie

[badgerpup]

86. Went to a restaurant with a friend and her two year old son...

...found myself sitting across from Little Alex The Bear, and resigned myself to wearing french fries.
Surprisingly, Alex was very well mannered- food went only where it was supposed to go, into his little mouth...when he wasn't talking.
He did miss a few times, but give him credit, he WAS only two.

Complimented his mom on this, it was actually a pleasure to have had lunch with him, and she said she'd taught him that good behavior was mandatory. No abuse involved, just you behave, or we're outta here.

He's eleven now, and a great kid. Going to be a Force For Good, methinks...

[Maiden England]

87. Argh, this is one of my pet peeves.

They seriously should hand out parenting lessons to people with unruly children. Heck there's really only two lessons to learn.
1. Having children means paying attention to them
2. No means no.
By the time I was two, I'd learnt that no amount of tantrum throwing, mess making or bad behavior ever got me what I wanted. But then I also didn't have to throw food to amuse myself or grab attention at dinner as my parents included me in 'conversations' and played with me and payed attention to me. So I didn't even try any more. If the parents are consistent with their attention and rules, everything else takes care of itself. The problems arise when parents give in to the kids demands to placate them in the face of bad behavior, rather than pack up and go home and 'end the treat/trip out'. Heck it only takes that kind of 'sacrifice' to a social life a few times to teach a child that no, always means no, and bad behavior means a trip straight home to bed to not have to do it again.

Of course it used to be that society frowned upon people with unruly children and managers would have no problem chastising people for the actions of their children or asking them to leave if the problem was disruptive enough, now they are too afraid of being accused of 'discrimination'.

And in one story to warm the cockles of your heart, good parenting is alive and well and in young 'uns too. I have a friend with a 20 year old daughter who has a 2 year old. We met them for dinner one night and I was blown away by what a fabulous Mom this young lady was. Her daughter was spotless. She sat at the table in a high chair, Mom only gave her small morsels of food which she could manage to manipulate into her mouth, she did not give her access to other food. She was wearing a bib her Mom had brought for her and when she got sauce or something on her hands, Mom had quickly and deftly baby wiped it off before it could be smeared.
Most importantly Bella (the baby) smiled and giggled and babbled and we all interacted with her and talked with her and smiled at her and included her 'babbles' in the conversation.
It was one of the most fun meals I've had.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

92. Kids are fun.

And they are entertaining. And when they have good parents they are even more so.
Duckie

[RoadRage]

98. I agree.. that would have pissed me off, and we have a 2 year old!

My Husband & I are VERY aware of how our actions & those of our daughter will impact other diners. We pack crayons, paper, and small cars & dolls for her to play with until the food comes. If she gets out of control, one of us will immidiately take her out to the car to cool down (have only had to do this twice so far).

If we have chips, or some sort of appetizer, we give her 2 small bites at a time - if she finishes those she can have two more. We practice using our "inside" voice, and do not speak loud, and she is not allowed to stand in the booth or on the chairs. She can sit in her booster seat or on one of our laps - that is it.

Alcohol. If either of us has a drink (only on a weekend) - then one of us would order a drink, and the other of us sticks to soda. I'm pregnant right now.. so my husband is the benificiary of that - but we would never both drink at the same time.

And, when we are done - while one of us is paying the bill.. the other of us wipes down the table, booster seat, kid & piles napkins and silverwear onto the plates. And, unless the service is absolutely beyond horrible - we always tip 20% for the trouble in case there is something we missed and they have to do any extra cleaning.

NOTHING pisses me off more then when my husband & I go out to eat and we're disrupted by a family that chooses not to control their kids. You do not have the right to ruin a dining experience for others in the restaurant, and your little "angel" does not either.