Child-Unfriendly
10 places I dont want to see your kids (or mine)
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In my bathroom stall
If you must bring your young son with you into the ladies’ room, make sure he knows not to stick his head under the divider into my stall — even if he is polite enough to say hello before shouting, “I CAN SEE YOUR PEE-PEE!”
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At a bar
This is one that urban parents love to fight over, so I’ll say this: If it’s dinnertime and your child is sitting with you at a bar that serves food, fine. If it’s midnight and your baby looks cuter than I do, she’s gotta go. There’s only so much attention to go around, kid.
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At a bridal fitting
If you’re the only bridesmaid who is married with children (as I have been in the past), be sure to leave your kidlings home during events like dress fittings. No one wants to be the mom whose kid smeared chocolate all over their BFF’s silk wedding gown.
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In an upscale hair salon
This is on my list mostly because I can’t even afford to go to an upscale hair salon, so I expect to see your kid sitting next to me at Super Cuts.
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Getting a mani/pedi
Okay, okay. Little girls love to get their nails painted, and I’ll admit even I have allowed my daughter to get her nails done by a professional — once. But a pedicure, too? Unless your 4-year-old has got some major bunions, think twice. You could be creating a monster.
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On the waxing table
No ifs, ands or buts about it. Children do not need to be waxed or plucked — or Botoxed, for that matter. Teach your 8-year-old to embrace her inner Frida Kahlo and leave her facial hair — and certainly any other body hair — alone!
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At a comedy or rock show
The show may be all ages, but that doesn’t mean your kids belong there. I’ve had to bring my kid along to a few shows, and it makes everyone feel awkward, except my kid, who makes herself at home wherever she goes. That means begging for drinks and jumping on furniture, kinda like I do when I’m drunk. Unless Dan Zanes is on the mic, try your best to get a sitter when you need a laugh or wanna rock out.
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In the police blotter
Okay, no joke: Child-on-child crime is on the rise, and it’s terrifying. Teach your kids how to be gentle with younger children, and for God’s sake, please don’t keep a gun in your house.
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At an adults-only party
You just had your first baby, but you want to go to your childless friend’s 30th birthday bash. Why not bring your infant along? Oh sure, you think he’ll sleep the whole time ... but not with his infant seat lodged underneath a speaker blaring Ke$ha. This place about to blow, alright, because your baby is crying (even louder than the drunk girl. See #7.).
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In the office
Just don’t bring your kid to work. We all know “Bring Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day” is really “Make Your Assistant Deal With Your Kids Day.” Not fair for your assistant, boring for your kids, bad for the economy. You can show them your office on a Saturday after the recession ends.
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Of course, if you do see someone’s child in one of these settings, be good-natured about it. After all, nothing makes a parent who already feels awkward feel worse than being snubbed by the very adult companions they are in such dire need of seeing. I’ve learned to keep a pad and pen in my purse at all times. That way, if my daughter just so happens to be with me on a comedy cruise (ahem), she can draw a picture of and learn how to spell B-E-E-R.
AMEN YES NO MORE 12 YEAR OLD MALE KIDDIES IN THE WOMEN’S BATHROOM STALL unless you are man-less and cannot take your son to the men’s restroom. Otherwise, WHY
I’m always tempted to kick when I see a little face peep under that stall. Happens WAY too often.
I have to disagree with a few of these. If I go to the salon to get a trim and my daughter needs one too im not going to take an extra trip to a cheaper place. Plus my salon has cut her hair for free a lot, just because its quick easy and im already overpaying for my cut lol. Same with a mai pedi she loves to get her nails done as do i, im not going to cancle my mani pedi cause I don’t have a sitter I would rather let her have the indulgence then deprive myself. And last but not least the concert, I semi disagree. My daughter loves music she asked for tickets to All American Rejects for her third birthday. Did I take her? No. But if there is a reasonable venue with lawn seat where she can dance like the crazed toddler she is you bet your ass I will take her. That being said I have to add one to the list, any restaurant affect 11pm, if I am out that late is clearly not to hang around with cranky overtierd tots.
I also disagree with a few of these. My child often will get his hair cut by my stylist at my salon.
I also have taken my child to many concerts. There are often lots of kids there. I take him because he loves music, just like his mom!
He has also been to my work before and many of my co-workers bring there children to work. Not for the entire day of course but for short periods or for special events.
I have to disagreee with a few of these. I have and do bring my kids to work at my office with the full support of my boss and with little to no trouble for any other adult in the building. It is the only way that I can afford to work because the cost of day care for 3 kids would cost me more than I earn.
I have to say I don’t agree with all of these and find that some of them are not well thought out. Sorry but Babble seems to producing a lot of articles that are pointless or just thrown together with no cohesiveness.
Agreed! Well, except I do bring my son to work on rare occasions.
sorry but if my kid had an ugly unibrow like that one in the pic i would get that thing waxed. its just gross.
@Heather Haha COMMENT OF THE DAY. But probably, if that was your kid, you’d have a unibrow to match and you’d be totally oblivs.
http://www.babble.com/products/mom-products/busy-mom-beauty-products-cosmetic/index.aspx#fbConnectSection
Geez a lot of the readers here are TOTALLY missing the point. I keep seeing “I disagree b/c I bring my kid here.” The article is not about where adults don’t bring their kids, it’s about where OTHER PEOPLE don’t want to see your kids. Of course it doesn’t bother you, b/c you’re their parents, but trust me, other people probably think it’s quite annoying.
haha “mandy Jun 24, 1:55 PM
I’m always tempted to kick when I see a little face peep under that stall. Happens WAY too often.”
This list says much, much more about the author than about anything meaningful regarding children or parenting. I do love the assumption that everyone who might bring their children to work has an assistant, though. Elitist much?
In regard to #8, I have several guns in my house “for God’s sake”, and both of my children know how to use them well. The only way you’ll see them in the police blotter is if someone tries to break into the house when they’re home alone and doesn’t survive being shot by a 12 year old.
I worked at an office that observed “Bring Your Child to Work Day” and assistant or not, someone other than the parents were responsible for tending to the young’ns because mommy still had to work. They office would have to pull 3 staffers (who was going to do their jobs for the day?) to babysit them the entire day. I always felt like this was not a well thought out concept.
….and how did I know that someone was going to take #8 and make it about the NRA?
Who cares!? This is America! cry me and river and build a bridge and get over it!
I’ll bring my kid if I so well wish too! (i’ve never had a kid look at me under the door, and so what they are probably to young to even remember it for more than 5 sec. & if people would discipline their kids they wouldn’t be any bother! and I never acted like that when I was a kid! Wouldn’t let my young son in mens room by himself,he could get molested or something! & since I don’t drink I wouldn’t bring him to a bar, but a formal dinner is OK cuz if you’re my friend you should know unless you said (no kids on the invite) which I think is pretty much the rule of thumb!
If you want me in your wedding & I can’t find a sitter then deal with!
Its my right to be able to have my kids hair done fab.that’s your problem your ego! lol! same with the pedi’s and mani’s If I wanna get my kids nails done that’s fine! don’t like it reschedule your appt.
If it was your kid getting made fun of for having to much hair you’d rethink this one a little, I agree kids don’t need botox but there’s always that one kid who needs major cosmetic surgery because they are disfigured & get made fun of! IF the show is G rated this is America I paid for the kids ticket, don’t like it leave!
to the comment below, why else do you think mothers have their sons in there! Duh! that’s mostly the only reason! is because they don’t have a man/other person with them! and what about little girls who have to go?? you think they won’t look under the stalls! I know some very hyper little girls that would do it!
plus when they are 12 I think they can handle the men’s room especially If I wait for them outside the door!
I also take issue with #8. There is a huge difference in being a responsible gun owner and an outright gangster. The former teaches their children at an appropriate age the basics of firearm safety and always keeps their guns locked away out of their children’s reach. I grew up around firearms and never would have dreamed of using them in an innappropriate way, and my parents taught me gun safety rules from an early age. I am now a concealed handgun licensee simply because I want the option of protecting my life and that of my kids and/or husband if the need ever arose, though any responsibly armed citizen hopes that situation never occurs.
Agreed Mandy. This is not a list about where people don’t bring their kids…It is a list of where OTHERS don’t want to be bothered with them. I love kids and work with them but some places you need to have adult time!
Well, I’m bringing my children into the washroom stall with me, as they are both too young to be on their own… (11 months, and 3.5 years old) It is a good point that they should be taught good etiquette though, to not be peeking or crawling under stalls. (I’m usually saying “don’t touch the door! to my older son”) I’m a big fan of “family room” washrooms, which give you a little more privacy, room,… but I don’t get why they don’t put a stool in there so kids can wash their hands. (a challenging exercise when I was 8 months pregnant, trying to lift my child up to the sink to wash his hands) FYI – child molesters tend to be someone you know and trust, not some “stranger” in the bathroom. A good book to read on that would be “Unmasking Sexual Con Games: Helping Teens Avoid Emotional Grooming & Dating Violence” (emotional grooming can start pretty early on)
Late night outings… (after 9) doesn’t really matter where you go, tends to be frowned upon. Kids need their sleep.
Office – Depends what kind of environment the office is. I sometimes bring my kids to see daddy at work. (my real reason is to use the washroom without having a big production while we’re out!) However, we make a quick exit when he’s busy with a client. I try not to work while I have the kids, but sometime childcare is hard to come by! (my babysitters keep cancelling or quitting, and it’s hard to find reliable ones)
Guns – in house, I’ve never been a big fan. However, last time I checked, in Canada, the law is to store the gun in a gun safe. Ammunition may not be stored with the gun, or in the gun. I’m intending on getting my weapons permit, so I know how to safely render a weapon safe, should we ever come across one. Knives are just as dangerous, and most of us have kitchens with at least ONE sharp knife!
Hair and nails -so? who cares?
Concerts – certain comedy concerts really aren’t age appropriate, due to language and content. So are movies. Parents should generally know what their children can handle. As for drunk people… hey, we sometimes bring kids to weddings, birthdays, bbqs, etc. Most people should just learn to drink responsibly anyway. It’s called growing up.
I prefer family friendly restaurants for my kids. (the menu usually reflects it, and they have a decent high chair) Plus I really don’t want to be paying +$15 for chicken fingers and fries for my kid.
I don’t agree with the pedicure situation. I think it’s fine to take your daughter to get her nails done. The others I most definitely agree with!
I love how she mentions that she’s done so many of these things herself. Common sense and discipline is the key. Problem is so many people are lacking this. Personally, I think the article was pretty lame.
Boy that raelly helps me the heck out.
You’re the geratest! JMHO
I CAN SEE YOUR PEE-PEE!
If some completely strange child said that to me I dont I could stop laughing… LOL
“Don’t keep a gun in your house!” Really???? My husband is a Police Officer and we have SEVERAL in the house. What a stupid thing to say.
It’s ok to have guns .. they just need to locked in a safe where there isn’t a chance an angry teenager or curious toddler can get ahold of them. Meaning adults should be the only ones to know the codes to open them. I disagree with the whole pedicure thing, I love getting and I don’t mind making a little “monster” out of my daughter.
I find your comment “and for Gods sake, please dont keep a gun in your house.” completely irrelevant and ingnorant. I grew up with guns and my parents taught me at a very young age (somewhere around 5) how to properly treat firearms. We have severeal guns in our home; we also have a gun safe to store them. Our family hunts to put meat in our freezer for the year and it would be quite difficult to do so without a gun. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having guns as long as you are responsible with them and educate your children and any other children in the home how to respect the firearms.
How is this article helpful? It’s you and even in your words of “Places I dont want to see your kids”, telling hundreds of parents your opinion on where YOU dont think THEY should have their kids!! YOU dont think they should be at an upscale salon because YOU cant afford to go to one. So that means kids shouldnt be allowed there?! This article should have been titile “Im would like to voice my PERSONAL opinion on where I HATE seeing kids, IF anyone is interested”..
Edit to my comment below “I”…sorry not “Im”…Got me a little wound up there..lol
OK, the comment “Gods sake, please dont keep a gun in your house” just paints you as an idiot who is terrified of guns…probably because you were never taught how to handle them. If you had any credibility left, and you didn’t, that comment would have wiped it all away. Get off your high horse, research what you’re writing about and try using facts instead of personal opinion and fear.
So apparently, some of the people who have commented don’t get that this is just written with good humor…wow. So negative! An upscale hair salon? Really? Why would you tak your child there? Their kids, a haircut is a haircut. As for the guns, yes, theres a way to store them safely, I think she is referring to the numerous news stories every year about some toddler/kid getting ahold of a gun out in the open and shooting a playmate, not you personally.
I don’t agree with stating that people shouldn’t have guns in their house. So what should we do? My husband’s in Federal law enforcement. Where should he keep his gun?
Lets not forget the Amendments. You have freedom of speech and I have the right to keep and bear arms.
c’mon. The gun thing is just dumb. I know plenty of people who have guns in their house, know how to be respectful of them, and have taught their children to be, also. Please don;t lump the 99% of responsible gun owners in with the 1% who don’t have a clue.
it seems like a great article but you will enjoy this one more read here…http://is.gd/Yo5fib
Dear Greg Brown,
You’re an idiot.
Lighten up. This is humor, moron.
what a snot you are
if this is humour, too bad your parents didn’t take you to more comedy shows
Since it’s almost tax season and I prepare taxes, let’s add the following: PLEASE don’t bring your child with you to get your taxes prepared, especially if you expect full concentration from me (or your tax preparer) so you can get the largest refund possible! A screaming child running all over the place will not help you accomplish your goal.
How about the Casino,we often see children walking the halls of Foxwoods late at night. Which I find more inappropriate then the gun. As much as I am personally against guns, thousands of people safely store firearms in homes with children. I would rather see those children left home then at the casino in the middle of the night.
Please don’t keep a gun in your house? Yes, have a child and give up your 2nd amendment rights. How about making sure all guns are properly secured?
“..for Gods sake, please dont keep a gun in your house.” Excuse me?! If you had any brain at all, you would realize that permit holders are the responsible ones. I WILL protect my family, sweetie. My gun is in a safe. The children who are able to access their parents guns, need to be checked out. And sure, everyone has an opinion. But learn to not judge and try to accept that everyone feels differently towards these things. You have some nerve.
There are some places on this list that I agree with. Like bars…..children don’t need to be someplace where adults are drinking liquor. I don’t care if the bar advertises itself as “stroller-friendly”, if you have a baby in a stroller, don’t expose him to the behavior of those who are drinking. And don’t expose me, when I go out to have a drink and unwind, to your crying baby.
And while a gun in a gun safe is….safe, parents of children have the right to say they don’t want their child in the home of a gun owner, some parents aren’t as pro-gun as some other people, and they do get to decide what they expose their kids to.
Some places on this list I don’t always agree with. Like the upscale hair salon, and/or the nail salon. If you can afford for your child to get an expensive haircut and/or manicure and your child is able to behave properly in that setting, then I don’t have a problem with it. But if your child is disturbing the staff and/or other clients at the hair salon/nail salon, then he or she shouldn’t be there.
And there’s some other places that aren’t on this list that should be. For example, a showing of an X rated movie……..I don’t want my kids there, & I don’t want to see you bring your kids there.
To visit “Uncle Lou” at the facility in which he is receiving in-patient treatment for mental illness….and I say Uncle Lou because, as a child, I was taken to visit my Uncle Lou at just such a place. And while my parents insisted that visiting Uncle Lou was the right thing to do, there were things going on at that facility (I guess similar things go on at all such facilities) that I didn’t want or need to see.