Pa. restaurant banning kids under 6

Families with children under six who live in Monroeville, Pa. will soon have one less option when they dine out for family night.

Mike Vuick, owner of McDain's Restaurant Golf Center, near Pittsburgh, says he's had too many complaints from customers about crying babies. So he's no longer allowing young children. The policy will take effect July 16.

"There is such a pent-up disgust and frustration with this issue, in terms of people who have had meals disturbed, and no one has taken the forefront on this issue," he explains.

Vuick points out there's "nothing wrong with babies, but the fact is you can't control their volume." He adds that all that screaming and crying disturbs many of his customers.

What do customers think about this?

Some said they support Vuick's right to set rules he thinks are best for his business. But others said they're offended by the policy.

Vuick said children might be the center of their parents' universe, as they should be, but they're not the center of everyone else's universe, too."

[simon1018]

I have been a restaurant manager for 20 years, and I can tell you, parents have no control over their kids. They let them run around the restaurant, scream, color ON THE TABLES, pull all the sugar packets out of the caddy and destroy them so now there is sugar EVERYWHERE.....I could write a book on this.

If I acted in any of the above behavior.....well I don't want to think of the "corrective actions" I would have gotten from my parents.

Parents, TEACH YOUR CHILDREN how to behave in public, and if your baby stars screaming at the top of it's lungs, EXCUSE YOURSELF FROM THE TABLE! It's that simple. That's what I do when my 7 month old starts crying.

[Thuia]

I do agree that parents need to control their children. We need to show compassion toward others we may make assumptions without knowing what is going. I'm a parent of a high functioning autistic child. We haven't sheltered our child from public situations, and it has paid off tremendously. We had to expose our child several times to certain situations early in life to help with learning coping skills. While we don't dine out in 5 star restaurants we do go out. We have had to work through some difficult times, but for the most part when we go out now we have fun and a well behave child.

[kokomocolony]

Wish more restaurants and establishments would follow the lead of McDain's and airlines. The general public is really fed up with bratty kids. Completely agree with the ban. This restaurant and other business establishments have the right to decide whether they choose to submit their patrons to these negative experiences. Nothing is more aggravating than going to a nice restaurant or any public area and having to deal with out of control children. My husband and I are 60 years old and have felt this way since we have been in our early 20's. No one should have to deal with these situations. For parents who don't know how to raise civilized children with manners, keep the little urchins home and away from the public. Sadly, if you also take note of the children you will more than likely find the parents aren't much better with the yelling and bad behavior they exhibit when unsuccessfully attempting to "deal with" their off spring. Trust us folks, other people really don't want to deal with or put up with your loud, crying, out of control kids. To all you lousy parents....we don't want to deal with your brats in restaurants, on airplanes, trains, stores or anywhere. They aren't our problem or responsibility...they are yours. Teach them how to conduct themselves as civilized beings or keep them home.

[sydney246]

i think your comment is very very rude, insensitive and ignorant of everyone with children. just because you dont particuarly care for children doesnt mean they should be wiped off the faced of the earth just so cynical people such as yourself can get your peace and quite. Children are not urchins, sorry to tell you this but you were a child once yourself and im almost positive you werent perfect. Also not every child that is brought into public is going to throw a fit. these are not lousy parents theyre normal people doing the best they can to raise a child, sorry if every second they arent like the von trapp family. Children are not civilized beings theyre children. get used to it. people like you are worst than any screaming child.

[smuffyhugs]

Sydney, you say this person is rude, insensitive and ignorant of everyone with children. Exactly what is your response, a prime example of common courtesy. But I see that you believe that since you choose to have children you believe that you have the right to disrupt anyone around because it is your right that is more important then theirs. That seems to be the root of this problem. Common courtesy has been thrown out and what the "ME" generation wants is the most important thing. You do not have the right to impose your choices on those around you any more so then those around you have the right to impose their choices on you. While I"m sure that your children are the best behaved children in the world (just like mine were) there are still times that I don't want to have them disrupt me. There are times that we all need time away from the wonderful little darlings.

[Tmwd]

I am so disgusted at people who have to be so ignorant towards others..If a family could predict the mood od a small child there would never be an episode in any place..No matter how you raise your child or think your so perfect in training them to be perfect, little ones have a mind of there own. It does not always happen the way you plan. If its a FAMILY resturant then all family members should be allowed. If its a snooty resturants get a sitter for your children. It bugs me that People at the next table can blow there nose while your eating and they don't see the offense in that. Remember you were once a child too! And there will always be children if you don't like to eat with them go to a 55 and older place and eat with your own kind..If a family is expected to leave a resturant due to there child they should get there money back for the food that is half eaten. P.s. Just because your over 6 does not make a perfect child, and are they required to carry ID proving they are older then 6. Or are they in a habit of just throwing any body out that bugs the patrons.

[smuffyhugs]

You are right, melt downs will happen. And children will be children. But I have as much right to expect to enjoy my meal in a manner that is not being disrupted as you do to be able to take you bundle of joy anywhere you go. We both have the right to decide which business we will utilize and which ones we don't. If you have children then choose a place that is acceptable and allows you to bring them along.

[betterusa]

I wish this guy would open a chain of McDain's and one would come to our area. I have children and grandchildren and we taught them at a very young age how to behave in public places. Unfortunately, not all parents believe children should be kept quiet and in their place when dining in public. To these parents I suggest you stick to the drive-through.

[BettyBoop1938]

I can certainly understand adult diners wanting peace and quiet during their meal. Too many children are allowed to wander away from the table, bother other diners, get in the way of servers, and the parents just sit there, eating their meal, and let their children meander about as if they are at a playground. A restaurant is not a playground (nor is it's not a cell phone booth); it's where people come to pay money for a meal that they should be allowed to enjoy in relatively pleasant surroundings. That shouldn't be too much to ask. How many times have I been sitting in a booth, and some greasy-handed kid turns around in the adjacent booth, and puts his/her hands on the back of the seat where I've been leaning, and bothers me through talk and/or gestures, and the parents think it's quite acceptable? I don't think that child is as appealing as the parents do. My husband usually growls so the kid gets the message. But should that be necessary? Are the parents that dense, that uneducated, that self-centered? People in restaurants came to buy food and enjoy their companion(s) and surroundings. Good for the restaurant owner! And let's not bring up the subject of young solo children serving themselves at a buffet. Yuck!!

[warsux]

Its about time a restaurant did this. I have had enough of lazy parents and their entitled brats screaming in my ear every time I go out to eat. It doesn't matter what type of restaurant either. Sure, they are screaming all over family restaurants, but, they also infest fine dining these days. And if you say anything to the soccer moms, well, they start screaming like their kids. So sorry I want to hear myself think while eating.

[srw6666]

you can see from all the blogs about this restaurant from the various news services that the overwhelming majority is for the restaurant owner's policy. i second that. keep the kids at home. now that two places have gone this route with what appears to be positive results (this place and the old salty in NC), it's likely we are going to see more of it. and i'm for that.

[DenverBroncofan]

No offense to those that have children but some of us don't. I knew I didn't want kids decades ago and can't stand loud kids. Babies really don't bother me anywhere except on a flight. Too often I have a nice meal and see these 4 and 5 year olds running around screaming...This ban would be nice in many more restaurants.

[smuffyhugs]

I don't think not having kids or having kids is the issue here. I for one have raised my children and now have grand-kids. But I'm all for this as I also enjoy a quiet evening out. And before anyone goes off saying that grand-kids aren't like being a parent where you have the kids everyday and can't send them home to mom & dad, you need to be aware of the fact that I am raising my grand-kids. And because of the way they were raised before we got them, we are having to deal with issues in children that should have learned these manners when they were much younger.

[sunny210]

When my son was in the baby and toddler phases, his mood was not always the best to take out to a restaurant. I remembered how it felt to be in a restaurant trying to eat and have a conversation with my husband before I had my son; therefore, we did a lot of take out and fast food (or got a babysitter); then later when he was somewhere around 6, he could remember his manners and we all dressed up and enjoyed a nice restaurant from time to time. Parents have to be responsible. I still see so many parents in restaurants that don't even bring a pacifier or pick their baby up out of a carrier when it's crying; and I just want to go tell them to leave and take care of their child which should be their 1st priority anyway. I agree with the business owner's wishes about young children.