I have a quick little note for parents who bring their children out to a restaurant for dinner: It’s not a good idea to let your kids go to the washroom by themselves. You know why? It’s not because there are bad people in the washroom, or that your child might overflow the toilet, or that he or she won’t be able to reach the tap to wash his or her little hands after they do their business.
It’s because it’s actually quite dangerous.
Last night I almost dropped a tray of heavy glasses on two little boys who came barreling around the corner and smacked right into my legs, mere inches below my tray. They were on their way back to their table after they had gone to the washroom unattended. I don’t know how I managed to NOT drop something on them.
A few days ago two boys about seven years old were physically wrestling on the floor on the way into the kitchen area. No parent was around to pull them apart, and they were smack in the middle of the road, so to speak. Servers come moving out of there at some pretty quick speeds, often carrying plates of heavy, very hot food, or stacks of plates.
Now I know that letting your child go to the washroom alone is often a symbol of something else, a show of trust, a sign of their budding independence. But please, PLEASE, for everyone’s safety and my sanity, accompany your child to the washroom in a restaurant. I don’t want anyone to get hurt, and I sure don’t want to be a referee.
I never thought about that before but…
What the hell kind of parent doesn’t notice if their children are wrestling on the floor of a restaurant? It is rude, dangerous and also unhygienic.
Very true – I hadn’t thought about the potential for injury, but I could see it happening so easily! While I allow my almost-9 year old girl to visit the restroom by herself, I also know she won’t barrel through the restaurant. My hyper 6 year old boy? I keep him trapped in the booth until we are leaving!
We ALWAYS do. I don’t like BubTar to be in the bathroom unattended and it does have a lot to do with strangers, honestly.
Who in the world lets their kiddos wrestle in the aisle of a restaurant? YEESH!
This post actually made my heart stop. Maybe the restaurant should try posting a sign like the one I saw outside a window this weekend: “Unattended children will be given espresso and a free puppy.” Could work.
Perhaps this is the oblivious reaction of someone child-free, but what the hell?!? The bathroom thing is bad enough, but allowing your children to wrestle on the floor??? As a patron, I would have been rather annoyed (and, knowing my big mouth, likely would have said something to the parents… :-S ).
I’m glad you were able to avoid catastrophe!
I hear you on this. Not too long ago some parents let their 8 year old boy go to the restroom by himself in a restaurant here in the states and the boy was molested.
The same blogger posted about how some boys hurt her knee when she was eating in a restaurant. They were running all over the place. I hate it when parents let their kids behave that way in public. I don’t care where you are with your children, the kids should behave, and walk!!
Good luck and be safe!
Hugs!!
Thank you for putting into words what I think every shift I work.
There have been many near misses over the years & I am always thank ful no one gets hurt. My personal opinoin is that when they are out in a restaurant, a parent should accompnay them at all times when leaving the table. No ifs and or buts.
I never thought about the speed / height thing. Good advice, you!