To want a coffee shop with a no children policy

[Amiterriblex3]

In a coffee shop and have to listen to a bunch of 2 year old screaming, absolutely screaming at the top of his lungs. Their mothers might be immune to such noise but I am not. I would be embarrassed if my child screamed like that

Go to pub, they do coffee.

Me too, OP. No kids, no dogs.

Genuine question. Is it 'intolerant' to think it's not OK for two adults to sit chatting to each other and doing absolutely zilch to control their children while said children scream, run round the place almost tripping up staff in the process, and hang off the backs of strangers' chairs while they were trying to eat? Because that's what I observed the last time I was in a cafe.

It's not the toddlers that bother me, it's the parents that are on their phone while their kids are running round. I was in a cafe on Friday and a little boy was just running about - parents didn't even look up. In the end the manager spoke to them as she was worried about him getting burnt. They just gave her a mouthful of abuse and said they wouldn't be back - fingers crossed 🤞

They could always go to one of the thousands of others that didn't have a ban. I don't think anyone's asking for them to be banned everywhere - though that's an even better option! 😉

Is this aimed at me?

If it is, of course it's not intolerant to think that, but you would be very welcome in my Intolerant Adult cafe and they would not.

I agree! Children have to be with their parents- you can’t leave them at home, that would be neglect! England is so anti-children, it’s odd. Dogs are fine though, apparently

Toddlers do occasionally do unacceptable things. My 1 year old did a really loud scream in church this morning - she'd found a corner with a great echo. She was delighted with herself. Those saying that they should be parented better, while I don't disagree, young toddlers do daft and unexpected things that you can't always anticipate. That's rather different from a neurological 5 year old acting up.

I think most cafes rely on families for custom during certain parts of the day, so you're not likely to get rid of them totally! But if you're really keen perhaps suggest certain times that your local cafe could have as "adult only". Sounds from this thread like there might be a market.

I love it when we go to a cafe that has a child friendly zone. We go and sit there with our 4 kids. Others that want a quieter space go far from the zone. Our favourite cafe has a downstairs bit with lots of toys etc. All the kids love to be downstairs and they love having playmates. You can't hear much at all from upstairs, which is where child free people tend to congregate.

Wow, everyone’s getting upset about the prospect of a childfree Gail’s, I didn’t suggest it because I regard it as quiet, it’s because I’d like it to be.

Apologies, I've just realised I misinterpreted your post! I didn't pick up that you were using 'intolerant' ironically. Count me into your cafe if I didn't already get myself barred! 😄

My ideal set up if I had the funding would be
Open early 0600-0900 to get the early workers in, and then late evenings.
Thus avoiding the mums with kids times. Lovely suppers without the stress. Lots of tables for 1 or 2.

Or alternatively a very small cafe with cosy lighting, comfy seating. All squished in nicely with no room for buggies. Mobile phone blockers and no wifi. Book corner, lush cakes, glorious tea and coffee selection.
Signs up stating no dogs and also baby wearing welcome. (Encouraging mums but no free range children)

When my 2 were young, our ‘cafe’ experience consisted of McD’s and the like. I didn’t want to risk the looks and tsking that they would have caused.

Everywhere is noisy now. Libraries are probably noisier than most other places these days. And they have very few books.

You could try opening up your quiet coffee shop OP but I think you'd be on a hiding to nothing - nobody ever shuts the fuck up, in 2025.

Really don’t understand why you would choose to post about wanting child free spaces on a parenting forum?

I’ll invest in the Intolerant Adult Cafe!

The amount of parents of young kids getting their noses totally out of joint on this thread is hilarious.

NOT MY TARQUIN!!!

But are they busy during the day or constantly out having coffee?

Now that’s sound logic right there 🫠

Have a coffee in a pub? Rare to get toddlers in the day.

You could start your own and call it Grumpy Beans 😉

I went out for lunch yesterday with my mum and there was a middle aged woman absolutely shrieking with laughter. Not just normal laughter, she was so loud all the restaurant was looking. I spent my time wondering what they were talking about!
I heard plenty of people around me muttering about her. 🙈

Perhaps because child free spaces are wanted only becsuse a lot of parents don’t seem to actually parent these days?

If the idea offends you so much, maybe consider whether you are being part of the problem.

It's Sunday...it's not unreasonable to go out with your family on Sunday...

Best off staying at home or getting coffee in a bar . Most parents of small children I know are surviving on coffee to get through the sleep deprivation of screaming kids. Their two main hangouts are coffee shops and parks.

Blimey yes banning people you don’t like sounds fun! 😂

PSA my reply to this thread is lighthearted -

and this has me creased 😂 I have a 12mo and I’m still quite intolerant to other people’s kids - I never got on with em!

No stone wear crockery either so people can’t drag their cutlery across it