Kids in the hair dressers today

[adoggymum]

I went for my haircut this morning, I always look forward to it as it's a nice salon- not bad prices and they make me feel really pampered (think head massage when washing it, fancy blow dry, glass of wine/fizz whilst you're having it done)

I paid £40 for a wash, cut and blow dry.

Upon arrival there was a family of 4- 2 young kids, one 3 ish and one probably 5 or 6, swinging around on the chairs and running around their (I assume grandmother) whilst she was having her hair coloured. The parents just sat back on the sofas watching- the dad was even on the tablet!

Neither of them made any effort to calm the children down, tell them off for swinging on the chairs/running around/screaming etc. And the grandmother even asked them to maybe take them out for a walk into the town for a while as she was having her colour set and the mother just took one look at the weather and said 'nah it's not nice out there is it?'.

It was myself, the grandmother and another customer in there- even the hair stylists were looking annoyed but obviously didn't want to say anything. For the entire hour I was there the kids were allowed to roam, the parents sat doing absolutely no parenting or attempts at distraction and none of them were even having their hair cut!

A customer came in towards the end of my appointment and didn't have anywhere to sit as the parents had all the kids stuff over the sofas and both were sitting on one each separately.

AIBU to have wanted the parents and children to leave? They weren't paying customers, kids were running riot, parents not parenting and they were ruining my special treat to myself, I couldn't relax with the kids running about and spinning on the chair next to me :(

What do you guys think? Should I have said something do you think?

Note- I'm not some grumpy old lady either, I'm a 20 year old student.

@aconcertpianist I just don't get why they didn't take the kids to the restaurant opposite for a treat or into the town where there's soft play etc literally 5 minutes away.

(I get money can be an issue) but there's loads of free things in the shopping centre at the mo for Christmas.

@BestestBrownies ah! I get you now :)

perhaps they could have taken the dc to the library (& guess what we probably be having a conversation about unruly dc in library with df :) ) (grin)

I'm a grumpy old(ish) lady and if that happened during my appointment I would whisper (loudly) to the stylist there and then.

Something alone the lines of it not being a creche and I was looking forward to a relaxing appointment for some piece and quiet. If she didn't twig I'd directly ask her if she could do something. If they didn't I'd find another salon, they should be dealing with this before a client has to say anything.

Ugh, sounds awful, and the parents sound so self-absorbed. The grandmother was probably quite embarrassed by it (hence her suggestion they leave!)

@curious86 that's why I thought they didn't say anything. the hairdressers where glaring at them anyway though😂 especially mine when one of the girls nearly ran into her cart with the brushes etc on.

@BrokenWing definitely agree!

I think everyone hates screens, but sometimes books and coloring don't cut it for keeping kids quiet. Mine are only allowed limited screen time, but if I know they will have to wait somewhere then that's when it gets used. If they have to wait in an adult environment, I have to make sure they won't disturb anyone.

I agree, poor Granny sounds embarrassed.

And what's with the Mum shouting her conversation down the salon to the Gran? Even without the annoying kids this alone would have pissed me right off. Who do they think they are treating the place like their own living room?

Definitely NBU about these specific kids and their & parents' behaviour, and lack if action from staff.

But:

As much as I hate screens and people using them to pacify children (what happened to colouring books or reading?!) I agree that they are an effective tool in a pinch

You're a 20 year old student who thinks her dog is a child; what on earth qualifies you to make such a sweeping condemning generalisation? If you ever have actual, human children, you're in for a harsh reality check.

Why was the grandma at the hairdressers with her family visiting.
They all sound completely selfish.
I would have asked your stylist to say something.

@FuzzyCustard Sorry! I didn't mean to offend- I'll use grumpy bastard from now on smile

Excellent! Thank you. And I agree about the annoying children - the parents should have sorted them out or failing that the grandmother, or failing that the salon staff.

I would complain about this. If it was a mum on her own who had no choice but to have her children with her while she had her hair done I would sympathise but in this situation they could have just taken the children off somewhere.

I would have thought hairdressers could’ve used the “health and safety” card to get the children to sit down with their parents, who might then have decided to leave the salon.
@clifford why does youth and childlessness or even loving one’s dog, make one unable to have a reasonable opinion on the use of electronic devices by young children? You may not agree with the contrary view but it is held by a lot people, parents, the mature and doghaters included

YANBU as the parents a) weren't customers and b) they wouldn't both need to be there. So weird to have an entourage to the hairdressers! I've been to the hairdressers 2/3 times with the kids in tow, my husband works late hours so it's difficult to get time to go. They've never been running around the place though and I've always taken lots of things to distract them with, keeping them quiet and calm and worrying what they'll be like the on the day is why I've not been in almost a year now!

@BestestBrownies I know😂 sofas are at the far end by the hair washing station and the grandmother was in first chair by the door when you come in😂

I actually moved salons for this reason OP. I was in once having a colour, highlights and cut so was in for nearly 3 hours.... with a mum and 3 very poorly behaved children. The noise was horrific. It was so packed in there and frankly dangerous, so I asked to speak to the salon manager. He was seemingly happy to have children running around with cables, bleach and hair dyes. So I went elsewhere with my £120 every 6 weeks.

@CliffordDanger haha, I don't think of my dog as a child but I do love him very much- hence the name😉

Also I have experience with young children as I was a full time nanny for the whole year last year whilst I took a gap year. I very often took the children out (2 & 7) and was able to entertain and control them without screens.

I can't wait to be a mother in years to come.

I would have brought it up with whoever was doing my hair at the time.

I think I'd have asked if they could do something about it, because it was spoiling my experience which is supposed to be relaxing and an indulgence.

If it was still going on when you were done and went to pay, I'd have either mentioned it again, or then, or asked to speak to the salon manager.

I take a pretty dim view of other people's children not behaving when their parents are around and it's affecting other adults.

You're a 20 year old student who thinks her dog is a child; what on earth qualifies you to make such a sweeping condemning generalisation? If you ever have actual, human children, you're in for a harsh reality check.

OMG! Patronising much? The respect for age thing works both ways you know.

Whatever happened to active, disciplined parenting?

Well I would have spoken up loudly and clearly to the parents and firmly requested them to parent their children appropriately as I and everyone else in the salon had come in for some down time and were paying a fair bit for that privilege. We weren't paying to sit in an indoor play area. Selfish ignorant gits

I think it's perfectly reasonable to let the salon know how disappointed you were. The manager should have err, managed, and told the parents not to let the kids run riot in the salon.

I think you ought to email them or pop in and speak, and maybe they will offer you a discount or something next time. It's their responsibility to control what happens in their salon.

@Ngaio2 thank you :) I think @CliffordDanger May have been the mother..😉😂😂

Why was the grandma at the hairdressers with her family visiting.

Perhaps she made the appointment before she knew the family would be visiting and couldn't change it? Her only day off/only appointment available before Christmas, perhaps? I agree that she was probably annoyed and embarrassed too, if she was looking forward to a relaxing time.

I think in a situation like this, it's up to the manager to step in. If the manager was there and not doing anything, a junior stylist probably wouldn't feel able to.

Glad you've sent a message. I went to one salon, again, it's a treat. It was like a playground in there with the parents sat on their phones. I cancelled the appointment and walked out. Told them why, too.