I think what the ban really boils down to is that parents aren't parenting. It is our responsibility as parents to teach our kids the right (and wrong) way to act in public places. I heard someone say once that these bans will only create a bunch of adults who don't know how to act in public. If a child isn't allowed into these establishments they will never have a chance to learn. How can I as a responsible parent teach my kids how to behave in a restaurant, for instance, if they aren't allowed in one?
Kids are just that... kids. We can't blame them. Why should they be punished for their parent's lack of responsibility? We have all been to Walmart or other stores and have seen kids running wild through the aisles, climbing shelves, hiding in clothing racks, throwing bouncy balls or other objects. We have all been to a restaurant and watched children climb all over the booth bench, scream or cry, throw or drop food everywhere, run around the tables almost tripping a server with a tray of food. I can definitely see why businesses are having to go to such harsh extremes, they just simply cannot depend on the parents to take care of their kids. I get that. But some of us don't allow our kids to behave that way. Some of us would get up and remove our children from the situation long before it ever got to that extreme. I think perhaps a better way of dealing with this matter (rather than a ban) is to have signs posted that read something like this, "We have the right to deny service to anyone. If your child is unruly, loud or a nuisance, you will be asked to leave." And then the business needs to actually follow through with the threat, rather than worrying about what the customer might do or say. I know this would create issues of what defines an unruly child or perhaps stir up other issues but I think overall it would be a better solution.
I have often gotten weird looks from other patrons when I squat down after a meal to pick up the food my kids have dropped on the floor or taken Mason to the restroom/car for a stern talk when he starts to get ornery, loud or act up in public places and I have no idea what thoughts are behind those weird looks but I don't really care. All I care about is that my kids will be raised with manners and they will absolutely know what is and is not acceptable in public.
So to those businesses out there thinking of joining the child bans, please keep in mind those of us who actually care about how our kids act in public. Please do not punish everyone when you can simply just ask the ill-mannered ones to leave. Companies have no shirt, no shoes policies or no smoking policies, so let's try a bad child policy... no, better yet, let's call it an irresponsible parent policy.
