Situations with Your Baby in Resteraunts- Advice Needed...

Updated on January 15, 2007
W.N. asks from Derry, PA
3 answers

So here is my rant, dilema, or quandry... Two days ago my mother and I were in a very nice but not upscale resteraunt with my 2 month old son. He was sleeping in his carseat when we arrived and ordered. Half way thru our salads he woke up and was a little fussy. He would wimper a bit and move his arms and legs about. I did not want him to get loud, so i took him outside where there was pleasant weather etc. Once he went back to sleep i went back in to eat my meal with my mom.

Inside the man in the booth behind us began to make very cruel comments. He was often loud, and said things to the effect not everyone should be a parent and that my son was obviously to young to be at a resteraunt. - this is a rib place where people eat on picnic tables and booths decorated in honor of a pig, not tavern on the green.

My mom took the baby outside to avoid this man while i tried to finish my meal. He tried to engage the people at the table adjacent to ours about my shortcomings as a parent for having the baby out. He was quite loud and very embarassing. I stopped eating, gathered all of our things and asked for the bill.
Not knowing how to react, but wanting to beat him to a pulp at this point, I also paid his bill. I waited for him to comment on who would have done such a thing, and replied i did. I told him in a loud voice i apologized if my 2 month old defensless baby had ruined his dinner, and it was the least i could do. I also politely thanked him for having the kindness to ruin our evening out, as i had so simply ruined his by procreating and trying to have a meal with my terminally ill mother. The people at the neighboring tables were snickering at him, which gave me some bit of relief. I kept an even apologetic tone, but inside i wanted him to realize the impact he could have and never do it to another mom. His girlfriend was very embarassed, and tho i did not loose my temper, I am at a wits end at how to handle these situations. Has this happened to anyone else, how did you handle it?
I often wonder if they forget they were once babies?

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I feel alot better now about taking PJ to resteraunts and such. Sometimes people will suprise me, but I am doing my best not to let it get me down. I like the idea of telling PJ that the mean man should go elsewhere, something i will definately use in the future! thanks everyone for your great advice and encouragement! W. & baby PJ

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Miami on

W. you are not alone in this. I had this happen to me several years ago on a vacation and when my oldest son was 5 months old and he is now 12. I did not stay as calm or polite as you did. You handled it in a very mature fashion. People are rude and inconsiderate these days. However in the future should it arise, don't get violent but honey you say what is on your mind. No one has the right to make the judgement of what kind of parent you are without knowing you even then it would be wrong.

Good luck.

S.
SAHM of 3 boys 12, 4 and 19 months

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.O.

answers from Miami on

W. - I could not have handled any better than that. kudos to you. You handled it with great class and creativity.

Some people really do forget they were babies ones or conveniently forget what it was like when they had their kids so small.

I am inspired by your guts and professionalism.

P. O'Neill

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Miami on

First of all, I can't beleive that you paid for the Jerks dinner!!! He was not the norm. You need to get tougher skin honey, because your kids are going to make a lot more noise when they are older. Just wait for the temper tantrums in public! You shold have seen mysonin Lincoln Road yesterday when he didn't want to get in his stroller, the show he put on in front of everyone!

Most people will understand, a few (with no kids) may not understand, but who cares. My son (18 mo) is not into making lots of noise now. I have never had anyone say anything to me and I eat out A LOT. So don't stop going out. The more you go out the more your baby will be used to going out. Also, just so you know, the first time I took my sonout to a resturaunt was when he was 5 or 6 weeks old.

That guy is obviously a very unhappy person and I am sure he does stuff like that all the time, not just for babies.

Good luck! And don't ever pay for a losers dinner again!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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