Recently, while on a family getaway, I stumbled upon a sign that read:
- NO STROLLERS
- NO HIGH CHAIRS
- NO BOOSTER CHAIRS
Alright, I got the message. Clearly, families with young children aren’t welcome here. But what really caught my eye was the added note: “Children crying or making loud noises are a distraction to other diners and are therefore not permitted in the dining area.”
At first, I assumed the sign was meant to be humorous. This restaurant was situated in a touristy spot teeming with families. Weren’t all kids inherently a bit distracting? And let’s not forget the adults who can be even more disruptive. If we’re going to start banning distractions, shouldn’t we consider the inconsiderate adults first?
I snapped a picture, and my daughter, Mia, read the sign aloud.
“So they don’t want kids?” she asked.
“Looks that way,” I replied.
“Why?”
“Well, kids can be… loud and distracting.”
“Yep, that’s us!” she said, bursting into a hearty laugh.
As we continued our stroll, the sign lingered in my thoughts. I felt annoyed. What about the inebriated adults wandering through these family-friendly areas? Or the oblivious grown-ups who shove past toddlers on their way to the restroom? What about the boisterous bachelor and bachelorette parties that parade around as if they own the place? And let’s not even get started on the adults who drop F-bombs in earshot of my kids. (Oh wait, that’s me. Never mind.)
I’m not arguing against the existence of ‘no kids’ policies or saying my children should be exempt. I get it: kids can be a handful. Much like some adults prefer an adult-only wedding, others don’t want to endure a crying baby while sipping their wine. Honestly, I can barely finish a three-minute phone call without being interrupted by my sons bickering or hearing their loud wrestling matches that resemble a catfight.
People want a peaceful dining experience, free from the chaos that children often bring. And parents? We just want a couple of hours to indulge in our crab cakes without hearing “Mom! He’s touching me!”
But isn’t it a tad hypocritical to point fingers? Sure, kids can be annoying — especially mine. Yet, it’s typically the adults who pose the real distraction. It’s not the rambunctious children; it’s the parents who think their kids’ misbehavior is cute. It’s not just the whiny kids who disrupt a meal; it’s also the whiny adults who complain incessantly. It’s not the crying babies ruining the atmosphere; it’s the loud, glaring signs that ban children altogether.
It’s perfectly fine to not want kids around, but let’s not be rude about it — or you end up being the true distraction. If you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out one of our other blog posts here.
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In summary, while ‘no kids’ policies may be necessary for certain environments, it’s essential to approach the subject with kindness and understanding. After all, distractions come in many forms, and sometimes, the adults are the loudest ones in the room.
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