Noisy children in pub

[retirementrocks]

AIBU to think that it is not ok for parents to allow their children to run around a pub and in and out of the toilets making one hell of a racket whilst they sit and chat to their friends? Just visited our local...expect it to be busy as it is Sunday and it is a popular pub for a family lunch, but we left after one drink because the noise was just too much. It took one of the bar staff to politely twice ask the parents to ask their children to be a bit quieter and not to run around but to no avail. It's a pub not a frigging playground!

...especially as family friendly places are limited

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I don’t actually go to the pub very much. Or take my children there. But we do go to restaurants and there’s no walking about involvedZ

YANBU I take my daughter to the pub for a meal but I would never let her run around like that, I can't always make her quite but they have to learn that there are other people that don't want to be disturbed and dodging the little angels.

'Strange how many "other" parents let their children run wild, but none of them are MNetters'

Oh, there were more than a few on other thread; who felt their children needed to go out to places and make noise in order to learn (how to behave inappropriately, I guess), that 'babble is sweet', blah blah blah.

Personally, I'd complain to the management and let them know we won't be coming back due to the place being like a playground and leave an according review rather than confront so-called parents like this.

Noise from just chatter and excitement etc I can understand. If they’re sitting down.
I will never ever understand why people let their kids run around restaurants. It’s awful.

I have NC as I don't want this linking to my normal name, and the person I mention was (is still?) on MN - I don't care if she sees this and recognises herself, just don't want her knowing my normal username.

Sorry for this long message, but need to share my grief about this, from the perspective of an adult out having a meal with 'one of those nightmare parents'.

It didn't matter what I said to her or how I tried to interact with her son in a calm loving way she still went between ignoring and encouraging his unacceptable behaviour. It is hugely frustrating and embarrassing.

I took the child out of the pub/cafe/venue so many times (not finishing my drink/meal) as she genuinely did not see the issue and stayed there enjoying her meal/coffee/whatever whilst I sat in the car waiting (because I couldn't see other people having their time out being ruined by such a selfish parent).

It makes me feel so sad for the child who doesn't deserve such a parent!

My sons ex GF had no concept of discipline or how bad behaviour affects other people, totally oblivious to it. My son was so kind and patient with her and her young son and tried so hard; he encouraged her to see this was not normal parenting behaviour but nothing ever changed.

It was hard work going out in public with her, she let him run round, shout, scream, fight with other kids... I actually felt very sorry for the little 4 year old. When she went to the local coffee mornings he would slam his hands in the piano constantly, run round, scream, taunt other children and if any 'little old dear' complained she videoed their reactions and put it on Facebook. Awful. Humiliating.

It was the same when she brought him to my house (fuck, I have always been known for my almost unlimited patience, but this got me down!).

One day, in my home, he was so bad I snapped and told him to bloody well shut up, after hours of trying to keep the peace.... She ignored me, apart from a death stare, and once she left my house sent me a text saying "I didn't want to have to embarrass you off in front of (son's name) but we don't use the words shut up".

I was relieved when the relationship ended! I felt bad for my son, he did everything he could to help her, but nothing was ever good enough.

Even at home children should be made to behave in a civilised way at meal times. We had the grandchildren round for a meal and they were eating at the kitchen table. the phone rang and I answered it in the other room. I had a Senior Moment and totally forgot about them, ten minutes later I went back into the kitchen, their plates were stacked by the sink and they were sitting at the table waiting for permission to get down. Those children will never create a scene in a restaurant, maybe when they're old enough to be out alone and drunk!

I usually think the parents are knackered and just want a tiny break the pub while their children amuse themselves.

Then they should arrange a babysitter if their children cannot behave in a public eatery.

Running about where food and drink is served is unsafe and can and should be stopped. I think if you want quiet, family friendly is the wrong place to go. Some children cannot be quiet.

This is a proper British anti kid thread! I can't say I go to that many places where kids annoy me but that may be because I don't notice it. Kids on noisy electronic gadgets probably annoy me more. And in pubs - big screens with sport and drunken sport crowds are more annoying - but I sensibly try to avoid places like that.

my local one seems ok tbh my kids can get arsy and bored or bicker don't see many kids acting up all that much tbh I must live in the twilight zone,

it's interesting you say that LethalDrizzle because around Europe Britain is known as being very Anti Children ,

Stay - yes that was the point I was making. Britain is anti kids

I think not wanting children to be burned by hot food or impaled on shards of glass is quite pro kids actually!

Personally I don’t get the allure of taking kids to a pub, take them to Harvester or whatever if you have to, but personally I like a nice quiet place without kids running around. Few and far between these days sadly.

As for Britain being anti-kids, I’d say half of that is cos in Spain or whatver, the kids tend to get told to sit down and chat nicely and quietly or are included in adult conversation.

Also, if you tell Spanish kids to be quiet, they will and the parents will generally support you. In the UK, they’ll likely tell you to mind your own business.

staydazzling Mon 26-Mar-18 09:11:20
it's interesting you say that LethalDrizzle because around Europe Britain is known as being very Anti Children ,

Cause and effect?

'If you tell Spanish kids to be quiet they will' - really?!

At a restaurant (below average chain-slug and lettuce) the other week, parents were encouraging their child to stand on 2 seats and then swing herself into the air. It was crazy. Lots of shrieking / noise. Inevitably she fell off and then loads more noise.

Some people are unbelievably selfish and stupid.

YANBU. Family friendly does not mean it's ok to allow kids to run riot, in and out of toilets etc. That's lazy parenting and downright dangerous. There are always colouring materials, which our DDs make use of and puzzles. Most family friendly pubs also have a soft play area or playground.

I once saw a drunk man fall over and but his head in a pub. People are unbelievably stupid

Did you not know European children are angels? my relative who was a nanny in rural France really scoffed at that "French kids don't throw food" book that came out years ago

European children are generally very well behaved in comparison to the British variety. Trying to claim this is not the case, is pointless.

I blame the parents who are too soft and overindulgent. They have created a rod for their own backs and they know it - despite the bristling tone of some.

to balance it out a bit I do get very angry , as a parent when and there are gaggles of people having a day sesh or lunch during holidays and talking very loudly about innapropriate things within loud earshot of children, that's very selfish they have night socialising kids don't, plus it's just morally wrong I've had to have words with waiters about it before , and just glared at someone until they noticed me and looked suitably sheepish.