A RESTAURANT IN AUCKLAND
Sets Guidelines For Kids
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This morning I read an article in the NZ Herald about how an Auckland Restaurant has set guidelines for kids written in their menu. You can watch the video from this below, or click here to view on their website
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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11650842
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I haven’t heard anything negative about this yet, but I just wanted to add my two cents in, because I’ve always felt like this.
A restaurant like this is an adult thing – where we, as parents, expect children to act appropriately. Yes it’s great to learn how to act in our adult world, but there is a time and a place for it.
I have always felt that young children don’t really need to go to a restaurant. I’m talking toddler and younger. My 4 year old has a much better understanding of our expectations than my 2 year old – and as such, we would never really go to a restaurant like this. If it was just the 4 year old and us – we would definitely venture out.
This restaurant has every right to set rules like this, if you don’t like it, simply don’t eat there. There are plenty of other establishments where your children can be children.
I realise every one in life is different, and how my child acts / behaves may be different from your own. So what works for me, doesn’t work for you – same goes in this situation. If you feel your child will listen to you and abide by the adult rules, then gosh go for it.
I have always been nervous about taking my kids to restaurants for the very reasons listed in the guidelines set – I would worry that they would scream, and yell, and run around. Yes – I am the parent. I make the rules. If my kids started doing stuff like this, and I wasn’t happy with it – then we leave.
So to avoid having a situation like that, we just don’t go anywhere. Not until they completely understand their surroundings, and our expectations of them. I generally find this is around the 4 year age.
I remember growing up, going to restaurants with my parents. Now we were probably between the ages of 7-11 when this happened, so we were well aware of what was expected of us. My parents never took us to anywhere before this. I don’t feel we were at a disadvantage in life by not going at a younger age.
What do you think? Do you agree with the restaurant and it’s guidelines?
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