Parent Talk: Dealing with Other People's Kids In Public

Most Friday mornings I meet a couple friends–joined by some of our children–at a coffee shop. We bring crayons and coloring books for our kids, and set them up with a snack and a drink. Meanwhile, the moms sit nearby catching up.

It's quickly becoming one of the favorite parts of my week.

That was until this past Friday at a coffee shop outside of St. Michael-Albertville.

When my kids and I arrived the coffeeshop was empty, and we walked towards the designated kids section just at the same time a couple walked in and plopped down their work bags.

I kindly explained that I was meeting some others with kids and that they may want to switch to another table since the kids are likely to play in the children's area.

While the husband quickly and quietly moved his stuff to another table without even speaking, the wife wasn't pleased.

"You mean it's going to be loud?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could she spewed out lots of anger about how rude this was and how she needs quiet and then, "some of us have to work!"

I stood with my mouth wide open, not sure how to react, as she gave me the evil eye and stormed across the coffee shop.

Later, when our friends arrived it turned out that one of the mom's knew this woman–who was also a mom of three.

As a writer, I do a lot of working in coffee shops. It's rarely quiet. There are always kids, and sometimes even adults, who are disruptive. However, it's a coffee shop. Not a library (which in Rogers is right across the freeway, by the way).

We didn't say anything. We spent time making sure our kids were at their best behavior, and in the children's section only. Fortunately, the store manager made light of the woman's innapropriate reaction. However, it left me feeling puzzled and disheartened.

My experience begs the question: What do you think of kids in public places? When you're out and about with or without your own kids, do other people's children bother you at coffee shops or restaurants?