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Done like dinner, is a ban the answer?

If you ask me it should be up to the individual business owner, and as a paying customer, if don't like it, take your business elsewhere.

If you ask me it should be up to the individual business owner, and as a paying customer, if don't like it, take your business elsewhere.

There's a new debate on the horizon and it involves a topic that's near and dear to everyone's heart - our precious children. But sometimes they don't seem so precious... for example, when you sit down to a nice meal in a swanky restaurant and there are children running around, screaming, crying and acting like they're on the playground. It's because this happens so often that a lot of restaurants are taking action, some going to the point of banning children. But do you think this is acceptable? Well that depends on who you ask.

As a parent I've definitely been there. When my kids were small I took them out, sometimes to McDonalds, sometimes to places like let's say, 'Red Lobster.' To me it didn't matter which it was, the second a tantrum broke out, or tears, or whatever the case may have been, I removed myself and my child from the situation. To me that's just common sense. Nobody wants to hear a child (or anyone for that matter) throw a fit when they're trying to enjoy a nice meal. So it's out of respect for fellow diners (and in an effort to instill basic manners) that you take action. When I was little that's how I was brought up and if we (my siblings and I) wanted to go out with our parents we knew the rules... and we played by them. Back then going out was a treat and there was no way I was missing out!

I can't tell you how many times I've been out though, both in the past and today, where kids have been screaming, running, throwing things and just generally being completely disrespectful... and the parent or parents just sit there. What's with that?

While it shouldn't be necessary to state the obvious, as some restaurants have done by publicly placing signs in regards to the behaviour of children, apparently it is. If you're losing business for whatever reason, as a business owner you look to remedy the problem. There are plenty of family oriented restaurants out there so if it's your choice to opt out of allowing children in your establishment then I say, the more power to you.

If you're the parent who sits by while your child throws a fit and you're upset by this I think you need to rethink your parenting and social skills. Children, or adults, if you want to act out, then head to the proper environment.