So there I was, sitting in a restaurant with a close girl friend complaining about my life. Then I saw you. You were staring at the young mom sitting at a table with her two young children. She was obviously waiting for someone, and she was overwhelmed. Her kids were wiggling and squirming; they were talking loudly and grabbing things on the table. They weren't being awfully noisy, but you could definitely hear their high pitched voices over the usual restaurant soundtrack of clattering dishes and chatter. In other words, they were being kids.
You were glaring at her fiercely. I could see the judgment and rudeness painted across your face like a blazing warning sign. I'm fairly certain that you were gossiping about her to your companion, too, simply based off the fact that he continuously twisted around to get a good look at the little family.
Throughout the 20 or so minutes that the woman was waiting, I watched her glance up at you shyly. You made eye contact and gave her your ugliest scowl. She ducked her head and tried to quiet down her little ones.
I have to wonder, did you feel powerful? Did you feel justified for trying to silently shame a fellow woman simply for trying to bring her children to dinner?
Did you think that by making her feel uncomfortable and small you would get her to leave the restaurant?
My friend and I watched you as you tried to embarrass the woman, and there's something you should know.
Your intolerance for that woman and her children says a hell of a lot more about your character than it says about hers.
It says that you are intolerant for families who choose to try and introduce their children to social settings.
It says that you consider your dining experience worth more than hers.
It says that you selfishly believe that this poor mom should just stay at home, isolated, and spare you the background noise.
I can't express this enough: it's important for parents to feel comfortable bringing their children into public spaces. Raising a child is incredibly difficult-- emotionally and physically. To expect parents to keep their children (and themselves) secluded unless they are able to act like miniature adults is selfish and unrealistic.
Whenever I see a parent out and about with a young child, I make a point to act friendly and open towards them. They have every right to acclimate their child to different social settings, both indoor and outdoor, in order to give their kids a well-rounded upbringing. When we see families in public, we should celebrate new life and parenthood; we should reminisce about our own childhoods.
Basically, get over yourself and remember that at one point you, too, were a kid. A loud, messy, silly little kid who embarrassed your parents and spilled water at restaurants.
