Should children be allowed in restaurants?

For starters, YES! I think children should be allowed in restaurants…

A friend of mine from Pennsylvania, forwarded me an interesting article regarding kids in restaurants. Last week, the owner of McDain’s Restaurant and Gold Center in Monroeville, Pa., banned children under age 6. HERE is the article. Personally, I was offended when I first read the article. I understand that there can be some loud kids, but this seems so unnecessary.

Vuick, the owner of the restaurant said "Nothing wrong with babies, but the fact is you can't control their volume," Vuick said. "There may be restaurants that prefer to cater to such things. Not here.”

Last Friday my husband and I had a date night at an upscale restaurant that was intimate and quiet. The table right behind us was a couple with their 4 year old son. He was the most well-behaved kid I’ve ever seen in a restaurant. When we left I actually complimented the couple because I was so impressed. If the kid had been loud, rude, or throwing a fit I would’ve been upset, but I don’t think our night would have been ruined. I would’ve been more frustrated at the parents for not disciplining their child and taking them out to the car for a little bit. If someone can get escorted out of a bar, I think the manager or owner of a restaurant can ask someone to PLEASE take their child out of the restaurant if customers are being disturbed. At the same time, I think it is the parents responsibility to take their child outside until they calm down.

I do think that banning kids under 6 is rude and slightly discriminating. What about the 7 year old that throws a fit because they don’t like the chunky tomatoes in their spaghetti? How can you draw the line at age 6? Heck, I’ve been mortified and embarrassed by the volume level of some adults! I have a 10 month old that is great in restaurants. Sure, we choose to have a babysitter most of the time, but she is good when we take her out. This just doesn’t seem fair. I actually think it’s a little lazy on the owner’s part to not just ask someone to take their child out of the restaurant.

Hmm….What do you all think? Yes, it’s a free country, so go ahead and put up a “no kids allowed sign”. Do you really think that’s fair though? Can a few groups really ruin it for the rest of us?