Hurricane Toddler

‘Ms. Dehl whisked him from his highchair…past the sign warning the cafe’s customers that “children of all ages have to behave and use their indoor voices when coming to A Taste of Heaven,” …so simmers another skirmish between the childless and the child-centered, a culture clash increasingly common in restaurants and other public spaces as a new generation of busy, older, well-off parents ferry little ones with them.’

(via Robbie)

I think (and Kelly agrees) that I often overreact toward Ian’s untoward behavior in public. Compared to other children I’ve seen, Ian’s an angel, but I tend to get upset when I know that, for him, the behavior is unacceptable and over-the-top. This article makes me want to cut him loose, and let the grabby-feely hands fly.

Ironically, I generally don’t mind when other kids misbehave. My tolerance is inverslely proportional to the age of the child, but kids are kids, and I thought it was kinda funny when that little boy opened the emergency exit at Bandana’s. I’m surprised, though, at how some people seem to just despise kids. Social Security being what it is, you’d think people would be clamoring for another Baby Boom.

Thankfully people seem to be more tolerant in the Midwest. I’ve never noticed any offensive glares, and no one’s ever asked us to leave or to keep Ian quiet. Once we waited a bit too long to get Ian in front of pancakes – food was the issue, not the pancakes – and he had what can only be described as the China Syndrome (sans Jane Fonda, though the guy behind us sorta looked like Jack Lemmon). He was screaming, snot was running, tears were welling, and I was seriously worried about one of us being stabbed in the head with a fork. The waitress simply asked us if she could be of any help, and brought a box for whatever would be left when Ian had finished berzerking.

Parents, do the best you can. Kids, do whatever you need to do. Everyone else, relax and be thankful that you don’t have to take the problem home with you.

Leave a Reply