Another cafe one...

[Scarletoharaseyebrows]

I'm happy to be told I'm pathetically unreasonable. In a supermarket cafe at lunch time with DH. Cafe is busy. Typical supermarket cafe where you take your tray to a table yourself. There's a higher than usual ratio of older people in there so a lot of trays of tea being carried around, mine included. Tea made from really, really hot water. In little pots. Sliding all over a tray. People trying to carry a tray whilst also carrying a handbag etc.

AIBU that tiny toddlers aren't safe to be exploring on their own? Clearly just walking. Parents very attentive and proud and clapping but watching lovely little child wander off, wobbling, reaching for things etc. across the cafe.
My husband says I see danger everywhere. I don't hate children - I've had several! I don't think they should be seen and not heard or banned or whatever extreme things people say here. It just isn't safe for tiny ones! AIBU?

Kids should be under control in cafes.

Cafes are not the place for children to wander.

One ran into dd's legs and fell over today in a cafe. She was not best pleased.

Children, of any age, shouldn't be allowed to run around or explore in a food & drink serving place. Ever.

If you want to clap your little darling, go to a soft play and buy your coffee there. Don't impose them on other people.

So of course YANBU, these parents will be the first ones to complain if anyone trips their little darlings.

Oh I wholeheartedly agree OP. Saw someone's little darling running riot in the pub a while back, soon stopped when he got covered in a pint after he ran into a waitress v

My brother was burned in a café when he was about 8 because of this very situation! I actually believe people don't see the issue but I am super paranoid of it now. He was 8 so much older than a toddler and we were just walking through when an old man tipped his tray. Thankfully he was fine and the café staff were amazing.

I now have a toddler and allow her some freedom when we are in a café but it depends on where we sit too, otherwise I am super strict because of hot drinks. I have some parent friends who see danger like me in a café and some who don't.

At the same time I was at a National Trust café last week and a man decided to go past our table and his tray with hot drinks went right over my DDs head. Idiot!

Yep they should be under control or not there. Back when I worked in a supermarket I had to deal with a toddler burnt by a pot of tea. It was horrific!

OK, not just me then. Slidy teapots give ne the heebies!

A cafe isn't the place for idiot parents to indulge their offspring.

jumping Oh my word. Is she ok?

My local café has a "no under 16 policy".

penners gosh that's extreme!

Children shouldn't be allowed to run around or 'explore' in any places that aren't specifically designed for that purpose. Specifically pubs and restaurants are 'exploration-free zones' as far as I'm concerned and the whole family should be asked to leave if they can't abide by this.

YANBU

I am often tempted to trip the little darlings up so the parents realise the danger and save them from something worse

YANBU. A relative of mine used to let her toddler wander about getting under waiters' feet while they were carrying hot food/drinks in a restaurant while she smiled indulgently not caring about what a pain in the arse it was for everyone having to avoid him. It made me not want to go out to eat with them anymore.

Yes I agree that parents should absolutely try to stop their children from being underfoot in a cafe/restaurant, I think you’d be hard pressed to find many who disagree with you there purely for safety reasons!
However can we chill out with the ‘little darlings’ ‘idiot parents’ etc etc. It’s just so....mean

When ds was 2 we were in a cafe and I took him there because he is normally so good at staying with me. However on this occasion he suddenly and without warning sprinted across the room, nearly knocking someone over. I was mortified! But I’m not an ‘idiot’ parent, kids are unpredictable and I think everyone needs to be given a break sometimes...we are not all just trying to overindulge our children at the expense of everyone else

Winds me up parents think it’s “cute” to let their kids toddle about in busy public areas.

JumpingOnTheBed I guess you mean that the tray passed over your DD's head rather than spilling them over her head. I can see why that would be scary though in your position.