18 thoughts on “The Tantrum Poll: Do Babies Belong in Bars?”
I am sorry, but I find the very idea of bringing a baby to a bar highly irresponsible and ultimately selfish of the parent. When you have a child, you must be ready for the sacrifices that come with that very serious commitment, and ultimately that includes going out to places that were never designed for children.
It si for this very reason that my wife and I have not had a child yet; we are not ready to accept those sacrifices and responsibilities. Parenthood is not a role that you can assume lightly – and it is sad that so many are unwilling to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments for the sake of their children.
Ultimately, this boils down to people who are more concerned with their own sense of leisure than the rights of others and the well-being of their children. If I am fortunate enough to have a child in the future, I will certainly not bring them to any place where adult activity is the predominant theme.
That’s just common sense.
Bars + Baby = F in Parenting
I stole that from the CNN article, but this equation could not be more correct. Be an adult – and a good parent – and realize that the only reason a baby would be in a bar is that the parent(s) choose to prioritize their social needs over their child. Period. Not to mention it’s rude to other customers and the staff. If you need a drink that badly (which is sad in itself) then try a family friendly restaurant that has a decent bar. Or stay home and crack one open! There are sacrifices that come with having kid(s) and this is one of them. Hopefully it isn’t the biggest! I comment first as a father and second as an adult who enjoys a good stout. Or two. But not with my daughter bellied up to the bar with me, or in a stroller next to the highboy, or even in the bar. Bars are venues for adult beverages, adult conversations, and adult behaviors.
As an adult, who opted out for Pro-choice, and a husband who believes the same way; whenever we even go into a restaurant and are asked (before the ban YEA) smoking or non?
Our response was always, NO KIDS first, No smoking second and we are both avid non-smokers. We avoid family style restaurants and times when people with kids might be at others. We want, as adults with choices, to not be bothered by anyone elses kids because not all parents make their kids behave. And in a bar? Hell NO.
get a sitter, go to Chucky Cheese where you can have beer or wine or stay home and drink. You made the choice to have kids and this is just one of the drawbacks. And I don’t just mean babies, I mean kids of any age as teenagers can be worse.
There is a high probability that you got knocked up after going to a bar. Returning to the scene of the crime or dragging your crying baby so you can show them where mommy (or daddy) made them is sad. Keep your damn kids home. We don’t think they’re cute. Your friends without kids don’t think they’re cute. Trust me, your friends don’t want to see your damn kids either!
As a brooklynite im sick and tired of seeing kids in bars and in restaurants laterly. Most of these parents are not able to tell their kids NO. No throwing french fries across the restaurant, no screaming inside, no running in a restaurant. Give the kid some crayons to shut them up, dont just let them run amuck. You give all the good parents a bad reputation. Park Slope has gotten out of hand with self entitlement. Get a sitter if your going out for the evening. Where is your responsibility? Most parents seem to be oblivious to the fact that their kids and themselves are a general nuisance.
I hope all these non-parents commenting remember this in the future when they’ll likely be parents. I hope you stay home and rot and see what kind of parent that makes you. Just sacrifice yourself, ok?
Luckily, I live in Seattle, where we have a few bars that have play areas and toys. What?!? Crazy!! Parents can go hang out with fellow parents, bring their kids, and go home by 7-8… then all you irresponsible drunkards who apparently can’t restrain yourselves can come party.
We’ve made MANY sacrifices in our lives, and there are plenty of places we don’t take our 1 year old son. Do me a favor though, please keep away from the bars that are kid friendly. That’s our turf. And too bad if you happen to like that bar, because guess what, bad bars aren’t going to be created for parents to bring their kids to so that you don’t get jealous.
kinda funny….i managed to raise four kids without ever bringing them into a bar. i wonder how i survived….and to Nee, who made “MANY sacrifices in our lives”, does that mean the rest of us have to sacrifice because you can’t cope? how about not having kids, or considering your “sacrifice” before you spread ’em….
bars should be open to those who can drink alcohol. restaurants are not bars.
this “entitlement” stuff has gone too far. i’m entitled to peace and quiet, no?
I think you should be able to take your kids in a bar as long as it is before like 8 pm but be prepared for your children to hear language or see drunk people. How many kids grew up in their families bars and they never had this problem. I’m sure if they are looking at the local pub where a parent takes their child and they drink a pint or two and leave that is fine. Now if they are getting falling down drunk…NO. I’m sure these places are not holes in the wall either where drug deals are going on or hookers are standing outside. My children are grown but I would so take my grand children to a local pub to have drinks with friends and not think ‘oh my goodness this is wrong!!!!’ Since when did society get so pompous! If I see someone in a pub with their child I will say hi and buy them a drink!
Wow, some really great comments and there is definitely a fierce debate going on here, nice job Matt. 🙂
I think the point has been missed though. It sounds like there is a need for a family friendly pub that serves good ales. To me, this sounds like an incredible opportunity to open such a business that caters to parents needing to get out and socialize, have a pint or two (not a fall down drunk), and let the kids have some fun.
I wish I were in a position to start such a business because I think Matt you have stumbled across something that many people feel is needed. Keep the smoking bars for the adults looking for adult activities, and start a baby friendly brew pub.
Cheers
Noah
Sorry Nee, but characterizing the critics as non-parents isn’t correct. As noted, I enjoy brew but have never taken my kids to bars in the 8+ years that I’ve been at home with them. Fortunately, there is more than two choices beyond taking kids to bars and to “stay home and rot”, in your words. If you aren’t aware of any of the non-drinking alternatives to at-home rotting, then feel free to send me an email and I’ll forward some suggestions.
To me this is all about location. Living in an urban area there are plenty of bars within walking distance from my home. Some nights after work I would love to meet a friend or even my partner at the bar for a beer and fill them in on the troubles of my day. I would go for a good beer or two and then go home to watch last nights Daily Show before hitting the sack at 10 PM. I can have a beer at home but its not the same. I enjoy the atmosphere at beer and wine bars where most patrons are there for a good brew and a good chat not to pick up some hot thing or get sloshed. Unfortunately in my city (Miami) if food isn’t served you can smoke inside of bars, so I choose to not subject my kids to the smoke.. I really think this is only an issue in the country. I am sure in almost every other country it is perfectly normal to bring your child along when you meet up with a friend for a drink and catch up. If there is ever a kid friendly bar brought to the Miami area I will definitely be there. My children will be taught to respect beer and wine. I want them to know that having a beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail can be about socializing and unwinding after a day of working hard.
Nee – you’re an idiot. I’m a parent and I think you’re wrong. You make sacrifices, a lot of sacrifices, when you become a parent. This is one of them. You (we) chose to have kids so act like an adult. You’re a great fucking role model for your kids. Mommy (or daddy) can’t go without a drink so let’s bring the lil’ ones along. You’re fail as a parent.
I have 2 kids and in the beginning I was the stay at home parent.Since,up until we had babies I had been touring on and off with bands and basically calling a good number of bars “home” the change was drastic to say the least!
When my little girl was a baby,we had taken a family trip to Ireland.
Not only did we take her on our pub crawls we even have pictures of her pouring Guinness from each pub we went to.Made photo calenders and had the best christmas cards ever that year.
Now,granted also around that time I tried to take her to one of my old haunts and that didn’t work very well.And that was at 3:00 in the afternoon.
So,too each there own.But,I do believe the one WITH the child has the right to make the decision. I’m not saying it’s the “right” decision but,it is ones right to decide.
Besides,the conversation between a toddler and your average drunk in a bar are fairly similar. So it’s easy to see where this controversy could come from.
My little boy is showing me the rock’n roll horns right now,Gonna tell me that’s wrong?
nice mature use of the language Eric B.
I’m sure you kids teachers will appreciate that.
Gee. So many people getting so bent out of shape.
I thought this was a free country. I am a parent and I do not think this is so wrong; though I do not take my kid to a bar, that is just because I don’t go to bars. I do not think taking your kid to a bar makes you a bad parent. There’s a lot worse you can do to a kid. As long as your child isn’t A.having a tantrum or B.is tired and needs to be in bed, go for it. Just keep yourself to a 2 drink minimum.
@mama! We love you already. You are exactly right–everything in moderation, done respectfully. It’s not so hard to pull off. Thanks for commenting!
What happens when you get a little tipsy, set baby lush down in her stroller and someone walks out with her while you’re not looking? Or you ask someone to watch her while you go take a leak and she’s gone? Opps! I think being in any situation with a kid you should not be impaired at all.
I am sorry, but I find the very idea of bringing a baby to a bar highly irresponsible and ultimately selfish of the parent. When you have a child, you must be ready for the sacrifices that come with that very serious commitment, and ultimately that includes going out to places that were never designed for children.
It si for this very reason that my wife and I have not had a child yet; we are not ready to accept those sacrifices and responsibilities. Parenthood is not a role that you can assume lightly – and it is sad that so many are unwilling to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments for the sake of their children.
Ultimately, this boils down to people who are more concerned with their own sense of leisure than the rights of others and the well-being of their children. If I am fortunate enough to have a child in the future, I will certainly not bring them to any place where adult activity is the predominant theme.
That’s just common sense.
Bars + Baby = F in Parenting
I stole that from the CNN article, but this equation could not be more correct. Be an adult – and a good parent – and realize that the only reason a baby would be in a bar is that the parent(s) choose to prioritize their social needs over their child. Period. Not to mention it’s rude to other customers and the staff. If you need a drink that badly (which is sad in itself) then try a family friendly restaurant that has a decent bar. Or stay home and crack one open! There are sacrifices that come with having kid(s) and this is one of them. Hopefully it isn’t the biggest! I comment first as a father and second as an adult who enjoys a good stout. Or two. But not with my daughter bellied up to the bar with me, or in a stroller next to the highboy, or even in the bar. Bars are venues for adult beverages, adult conversations, and adult behaviors.
As an adult, who opted out for Pro-choice, and a husband who believes the same way; whenever we even go into a restaurant and are asked (before the ban YEA) smoking or non?
Our response was always, NO KIDS first, No smoking second and we are both avid non-smokers. We avoid family style restaurants and times when people with kids might be at others. We want, as adults with choices, to not be bothered by anyone elses kids because not all parents make their kids behave. And in a bar? Hell NO.
get a sitter, go to Chucky Cheese where you can have beer or wine or stay home and drink. You made the choice to have kids and this is just one of the drawbacks. And I don’t just mean babies, I mean kids of any age as teenagers can be worse.
There is a high probability that you got knocked up after going to a bar. Returning to the scene of the crime or dragging your crying baby so you can show them where mommy (or daddy) made them is sad. Keep your damn kids home. We don’t think they’re cute. Your friends without kids don’t think they’re cute. Trust me, your friends don’t want to see your damn kids either!
As a brooklynite im sick and tired of seeing kids in bars and in restaurants laterly. Most of these parents are not able to tell their kids NO. No throwing french fries across the restaurant, no screaming inside, no running in a restaurant. Give the kid some crayons to shut them up, dont just let them run amuck. You give all the good parents a bad reputation. Park Slope has gotten out of hand with self entitlement. Get a sitter if your going out for the evening. Where is your responsibility? Most parents seem to be oblivious to the fact that their kids and themselves are a general nuisance.
I hope all these non-parents commenting remember this in the future when they’ll likely be parents. I hope you stay home and rot and see what kind of parent that makes you. Just sacrifice yourself, ok?
Luckily, I live in Seattle, where we have a few bars that have play areas and toys. What?!? Crazy!! Parents can go hang out with fellow parents, bring their kids, and go home by 7-8… then all you irresponsible drunkards who apparently can’t restrain yourselves can come party.
We’ve made MANY sacrifices in our lives, and there are plenty of places we don’t take our 1 year old son. Do me a favor though, please keep away from the bars that are kid friendly. That’s our turf. And too bad if you happen to like that bar, because guess what, bad bars aren’t going to be created for parents to bring their kids to so that you don’t get jealous.
kinda funny….i managed to raise four kids without ever bringing them into a bar. i wonder how i survived….and to Nee, who made “MANY sacrifices in our lives”, does that mean the rest of us have to sacrifice because you can’t cope? how about not having kids, or considering your “sacrifice” before you spread ’em….
bars should be open to those who can drink alcohol. restaurants are not bars.
this “entitlement” stuff has gone too far. i’m entitled to peace and quiet, no?
I think you should be able to take your kids in a bar as long as it is before like 8 pm but be prepared for your children to hear language or see drunk people. How many kids grew up in their families bars and they never had this problem. I’m sure if they are looking at the local pub where a parent takes their child and they drink a pint or two and leave that is fine. Now if they are getting falling down drunk…NO. I’m sure these places are not holes in the wall either where drug deals are going on or hookers are standing outside. My children are grown but I would so take my grand children to a local pub to have drinks with friends and not think ‘oh my goodness this is wrong!!!!’ Since when did society get so pompous! If I see someone in a pub with their child I will say hi and buy them a drink!
Wow, some really great comments and there is definitely a fierce debate going on here, nice job Matt. 🙂
I think the point has been missed though. It sounds like there is a need for a family friendly pub that serves good ales. To me, this sounds like an incredible opportunity to open such a business that caters to parents needing to get out and socialize, have a pint or two (not a fall down drunk), and let the kids have some fun.
I wish I were in a position to start such a business because I think Matt you have stumbled across something that many people feel is needed. Keep the smoking bars for the adults looking for adult activities, and start a baby friendly brew pub.
Cheers
Noah
Sorry Nee, but characterizing the critics as non-parents isn’t correct. As noted, I enjoy brew but have never taken my kids to bars in the 8+ years that I’ve been at home with them. Fortunately, there is more than two choices beyond taking kids to bars and to “stay home and rot”, in your words. If you aren’t aware of any of the non-drinking alternatives to at-home rotting, then feel free to send me an email and I’ll forward some suggestions.
To me this is all about location. Living in an urban area there are plenty of bars within walking distance from my home. Some nights after work I would love to meet a friend or even my partner at the bar for a beer and fill them in on the troubles of my day. I would go for a good beer or two and then go home to watch last nights Daily Show before hitting the sack at 10 PM. I can have a beer at home but its not the same. I enjoy the atmosphere at beer and wine bars where most patrons are there for a good brew and a good chat not to pick up some hot thing or get sloshed. Unfortunately in my city (Miami) if food isn’t served you can smoke inside of bars, so I choose to not subject my kids to the smoke.. I really think this is only an issue in the country. I am sure in almost every other country it is perfectly normal to bring your child along when you meet up with a friend for a drink and catch up. If there is ever a kid friendly bar brought to the Miami area I will definitely be there. My children will be taught to respect beer and wine. I want them to know that having a beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail can be about socializing and unwinding after a day of working hard.
Nee – you’re an idiot. I’m a parent and I think you’re wrong. You make sacrifices, a lot of sacrifices, when you become a parent. This is one of them. You (we) chose to have kids so act like an adult. You’re a great fucking role model for your kids. Mommy (or daddy) can’t go without a drink so let’s bring the lil’ ones along. You’re fail as a parent.
I have 2 kids and in the beginning I was the stay at home parent.Since,up until we had babies I had been touring on and off with bands and basically calling a good number of bars “home” the change was drastic to say the least!
When my little girl was a baby,we had taken a family trip to Ireland.
Not only did we take her on our pub crawls we even have pictures of her pouring Guinness from each pub we went to.Made photo calenders and had the best christmas cards ever that year.
Now,granted also around that time I tried to take her to one of my old haunts and that didn’t work very well.And that was at 3:00 in the afternoon.
So,too each there own.But,I do believe the one WITH the child has the right to make the decision. I’m not saying it’s the “right” decision but,it is ones right to decide.
Besides,the conversation between a toddler and your average drunk in a bar are fairly similar. So it’s easy to see where this controversy could come from.
My little boy is showing me the rock’n roll horns right now,Gonna tell me that’s wrong?
nice mature use of the language Eric B.
I’m sure you kids teachers will appreciate that.
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Gee. So many people getting so bent out of shape.
I thought this was a free country. I am a parent and I do not think this is so wrong; though I do not take my kid to a bar, that is just because I don’t go to bars. I do not think taking your kid to a bar makes you a bad parent. There’s a lot worse you can do to a kid. As long as your child isn’t A.having a tantrum or B.is tired and needs to be in bed, go for it. Just keep yourself to a 2 drink minimum.
@mama! We love you already. You are exactly right–everything in moderation, done respectfully. It’s not so hard to pull off. Thanks for commenting!
What happens when you get a little tipsy, set baby lush down in her stroller and someone walks out with her while you’re not looking? Or you ask someone to watch her while you go take a leak and she’s gone? Opps! I think being in any situation with a kid you should not be impaired at all.