Debate over Screaming Kids Intensifies

You know the old saying: Children should be seen and not heard? As most parents know, that's not always possible, and it seems kids act up at the worst times, such as when you're dining out at a restaurant or traveling on a plane.

Restaurant Speaks Out About Screaming Kids

"Early Show" contributor Taryn Winter Brill takes a look at what one restaurant is doing to make sure kids stay quiet.

In North Carolina, a restaurant called Olde Salty's recently stirred up controversy when it banned screaming children.

Brenda Armes, the owner of the restaurant, told CBS News, "It has brought us more customers than it's ever kept away."

The bold move offended some parents.

The restaurants business isn't alone. Airlines are also witnessing a shift in attitudes towards crying kids.

Earlier this year, a Florida woman settled a lawsuit against Qantas Airlines claiming a child's shriek left her partially deaf.

And in a recent poll conducted by the travel website SkyScanner, 60 percent of respondents favor a families' only section on planes while nearly 20 percent prefer child-free flights.

Brill asked one woman, "Do you think that there should be 'family only' sections on airplanes?"

The woman responded, "Probably. That would make a whole lot difference "

A man told Brill, "Sometimes it can be a little bit disturbing, uh, flying with kids on airplanes but, you know, it's part of life."

The conflict between families with young kids and those without will continue to play out in public.

But for other parents, life must go on.

Rachel Guberman, a parent of two young children, said, "We're not willing to compromise our lives and not do the things we do just because we have children."

On "The Early Show," co-anchor Erica Hill said of Guberman's comment, "I'm a parent of two small boys. I think that kind of attitude sometimes is what leads to this."

Dr. Jennifer Hartstein, contributor and child and adolescent psychologist, said she's seen a lot of this attitude by parents.

She said, "I think that's what's happening is people want to expose their kids to all sorts of different experiences, which is terrific. But by doing that, they're not being aware of how that may impact other people as well. It's all about their family bubble and not about what's going on outside."

Hill added, "And it's not always an appropriate place to bring your children."

Hartstein said there's nothing wrong with a sign like the one in the North Carolina restaurant.

"If there was a really drunk adult at the bar that was really unruly, they would ask that person to leave, also. So we're really just kind of extending that expectation, down to young children and asking parents to be in control," she said.

So how can parents get in control of their kids when they're out to dinner?
Hartstein suggested these tips:

GO EARLY
Don't go during the prime hours of dinner. Go around 5:00 or 5:30, when you may be the only ones in the restaurant and won't disrupt other diners.

ORDER KIDS' FOOD IMMEDIATELY
Get your kids something to eat quickly. If they are hungry, they will be more emotional and have a harder time engaging in something to distract them. Often family-style restaurants, such as Italian, Chinese and Greek, establishments will serve quickly.

BRING ACTIVITIES
Be sure to bring things to help distract your child during the meal: coloring books, reading books, toys (not noisy ones). Be ready to participate in the activities with them at times.

BE PREPARED TO LEAVE
If it becomes too difficult to stay, you may have to get up and leave with your children. Take your food to go, if necessary. Take your child out of the restaurant so he/she calms down or can run around if needed

FIND TIME FOR ADULT-ONLY ACTIVITIES
Not everything is appropriate for kids. An opera may not be the best activity. A late movie is not the right choice. Make time to go out with your partner, spouse, friends without kids. That will make doing it with kids less frustrating.