Taking babies to special events

[Carlawarla 1]

I think it depends on the event. My kids are now 24 and 21, and I think over the years my thoughts have changed on this matter.

We've recently been to a few restaurants where the parents are enjoying their after dinner coffee, while their kids are running around the restaurant.

Twice now, we've been sitting in booths, and children, with the worst snotty noses I've ever seen, have been hanging over the back of our booth, sneezing on us, or our meals.

I don't mind well behaved kids anywhere. I know that you have to take your kids out to restaurants to teach them HOW to behave in a restaurant, but it's parents job then to do the TEACHING!

Sometimes I feel like an old fart, when babies and young children bother me. However, I never blame the kids...it's the parents that need a wake-up call.

Carla

[Jasman0717 9]

Ever spend a couple of hours in a movie near someone with a baby

[*julez* 124]

I love my kids, but there are definitely events where they do not belong! I am never offended when parties, etc. are dubbed "adults only". I like a few hours without the kids from time to time. (Complete understatement of the year there!)

[Sinergy 3]

Plain and simple, if my kids are not welcome, dont ask me to come. My kids are my family and when you uninvite them you are disrespecting me and my family.

Not to mention its a flipping baby shower, not a sex toy party

Edited October 16, 2007 by Ionescu

[Nessa 23]

It really depends on the ocasion. For a baby shower I don't see why not take your kids with you, unless you feel that you'd enjoy more the party without them, don't worry about other people.

Now for certain restaurants, adult parties then yeah, hire a sitter or stay home.

[pedroh 21]

Plain and simple, if my kids are not welcome, dont ask me to come. My kids are my family and when you uninvite them you are disrespecting me and my family.

Not to mention its a flipping baby shower, not a sex toy party

lol, yea, is not like it's a bachelorette party.. but, what about if its an invitation to a dinner, or to a fancy place where kids are not usually 'allowed'.. wouldn't it be also disrespectful to the other customers in such places to bring kids when they want some privacy? of course, i'm talking about nice places, not outback or mcdonalds or stuff like that lol..

I don't mind kids in a kids movie or cartoons. but when they take babies to a serious movie.. omg.. plizzz.. I think there's places allowed for everybody, and places only for adults..

[chri'stina 190]

I agree there are some instances where taking a baby is just not the best idea. I do have friends who have a very quiet baby and she is hardly noticeable at things, but loud babies would be a different issue.

For a baby shower, it matters if it's formal or not. My baby shower is soon and kids are welcome, but it's not a very formal shower and it's not at someone's house, it's at our church. And plus there will be only 2 little girls there and maybe a couple babies. If it was being thrown by someone who had one of those houses with white carpet and you are afraid to get anything dirty, I wouldn't bring my baby/child unless they were very well behaved. I went to a lot of showers when I was a kid. I haven't known many ppl who said no children allowed for baby showers.

I do think it's rude though if a parent lets their kids crawl or run around the gifts and mess things up like decor, food. The parent, if they bring their child, has the responsibility to not let their child run a muck or get into things. If they are good at keeping their child in line, you won't have to worry about it. If they are bad at keeping their child in line, then yes it's annoying to have them at an event b/c you end up being the one chasing them around.

I wouldn't be offended if something said "no children please", I'd just think "oh no, this is going to be formal". I would still go though if it was for a friend.

[Sinergy 3]

Plain and simple, if my kids are not welcome, dont ask me to come. My kids are my family and when you uninvite them you are disrespecting me and my family.

Not to mention its a flipping baby shower, not a sex toy party

lol, yea, is not like it's a bachelorette party.. but, what about if its an invitation to a dinner, or to a fancy place where kids are not usually 'allowed'.. wouldn't it be also disrespectful to the other customers in such places to bring kids when they want some privacy? of course, i'm talking about nice places, not outback or mcdonalds or stuff like that lol..

I don't mind kids in a kids movie or cartoons. but when they take babies to a serious movie.. omg.. plizzz.. I think there's places allowed for everybody, and places only for adults..

I was talking about the baby shower, its no unappropriat for kids to be at one, therefore if my kids are not invited dont expect me there.

dinners and and fancy places is common sence, but showers, cmon, thats tarded not to let kids come.

[chri'stina 190]

I just attended a baby shower and on the way there I told my daughter (8 y/o)

that this would be her first shower. She said "why did you not ever take me before?". I told her that I always thought it was inconsiderate to take small children/babies to a shower if they weren't able to sit still or behave.

Once we arrived, guess what? One of the young women giving the shower had her 1 year old there. She was crawling around among the gifts and everyone's attention was on her. I may get flack about this but I just feel that it takes away from the guest of honor.

I understand if you don't have a sitter but When I didn't have a sitter, I just stopped by with my gift and explained my situation and left.

What do you think?

Karen

The key part is bolded, she said if the child wasn't able to sit still or behave. I totally agree there, if the child does not behave then it's a pain having them at a party if their parent doesn't seem to care what they are doing IMO. I love kids, but I don't love when they do whatever they want with no consequences from their parents.

[James 2]

Ever spend a couple of hours in a movie near someone with a baby

Congratulations

[pedroh 21]

I agree there are some instances where taking a baby is just not the best idea. I do have friends who have a very quiet baby and she is hardly noticeable at things, but loud babies would be a different issue.

For a baby shower, it matters if it's formal or not. My baby shower is soon and kids are welcome, but it's not a very formal shower and it's not at someone's house, it's at our church. And plus there will be only 2 little girls there and maybe a couple babies. If it was being thrown by someone who had one of those houses with white carpet and you are afraid to get anything dirty, I wouldn't bring my baby/child unless they were very well behaved. I went to a lot of showers when I was a kid. I haven't known many ppl who said no children allowed for baby showers.

I do think it's rude though if a parent lets their kids crawl or run around the gifts and mess things up like decor, food. The parent, if they bring their child, has the responsibility to not let their child run a muck or get into things. If they are good at keeping their child in line, you won't have to worry about it. If they are bad at keeping their child in line, then yes it's annoying to have them at an event b/c you end up being the one chasing them around.

I wouldn't be offended if something said "no children please", I'd just think "oh no, this is going to be formal". I would still go though if it was for a friend.

yea I was thinking what if they invite you to those old big houses where they have a lot of antiques and delicate furniture.. you really don't want your kids breaking that 10000 year old ceramic pot or whatnot

[almaty 19]

i think it is hard to do therapy when a small youngster in the room..runnin g around while the aprent is weaping and trying to focus on their emotions or thoughts on what brings them to the session..i usually ask the kids stay home..unless it is about the family..family therapy or the kid...

[BJZags 17]

Plain and simple, if my kids are not welcome, dont ask me to come. My kids are my family and when you uninvite them you are disrespecting me and my family.

Seems to me that this attitude is just as much disrespectful on your part. I would think that the burden should be on the parent to inquire whether an event is "baby appropriate" or not.

[Ladylethal 12]

At a baby shower I don't see the problem, but at the movies, certain restaurants and parties, please no kids. In those cases you need to respect the people who are there to enjoy themselves for a few hours without all the fuss kids make.

I hate it when I am trying to eat with my husband and there's a kid grabbing stuff from my table, while the parents are enjoying their night, it's like they let their kids run free in the restaurant and let everyone else babysit them while they enjoy themselves.

Or at a R rated (or a serious drama) movie with a baby crying or a little 2 year old playing around since the movie won't interest them in the least.

[no name 1]

you really don't want your kids breaking that 10000 year old ceramic pot or whatnot

too funny!!