Several Seattle businesses are gaining a lot of attention over their kids policy. A growing number of establishments - from coffee shops to restaurants - have posted signs gently asking parents to supervise their children. However, several businesses have banned them together. A sign at Duque Salon + Spa in Ballard reads: "About the little ones ... Due to the delicate nature of our business, we ask that children not be brought into the salon, spa or boutique. Thank you." Apparently the sign has upset quite a few people. "We've had mothers on the sidewalk giving us the finger over the top of the baby stroller," said salon owner Giovanna Duque, who adds a cursing mom had to be escorted out with her 2-year-old in tow. Habitude, another salon in Ballard, has a similar no children policy, which was greeted with mixed reaction, from acrimonious to emotional. Other establishments like Diva Espresso have taken a lighter, more humorous approach: "Unsupervised children will be given espresso and a puppy." (Via Seattle P-I, MyBallard)
I believe that since some parents ignore their children's behavior once they are in public either from embarrassment over the behavior or just plain indifference that a place has a right to restrict children. I can't stand to be seated in a restaurant or theater next to talking or screaming children. For heaven's sakes people make them be quiet or leave!!! Just so you know, I have young children and I practice what I preach!!!
Adults go to a spa to get away from the kids - remember a 'callgon moment'? I like the coffee shop's approach....really, what are you going to do - leave the kid outside tied to the fire hydrant?
However, parents need to parent. Put down the darn cell phone and interact with your child...model for them appropriate behavior and if you can't figure it out...watch SuperNanny....
Parent Educator by profession (and quite a busy one at that - who knew?!).
Honestly this is just scandalous. I've never heard of such unfriendliness on the part of businesses. This country really has the wrong attitude as far as children are concerned, at least in regards to other people's children. Is it too much to ask for people and businesses to be understanding or even caring about little children?
We were all children once. We all cried. We all fussed. We all created problems for both our parents and others. So why do most people think of children as pests and treat them as pests? It's disgusting.
I completely support these businesses. I have had special and expensive dinners out at restaurants ruined by parents oblivious to their children's obnoxious behavior-- and I've been cursed when I've dared to say something. Get a sitter, and factor it in into the cost of breeding, please. Oh, and by the way, restaurants bear some responsibility for not saying something themselves. Or maybe waiters are tired of being cursed, as well.
With the breakdown of families, and loss of public decency & conduct in general, Unfortunately It is within the businesses interest to cut their losses and ban kids. Some parents are responsible and raise their kids to be respectful, unfortunately they seem to be the minority.
The Majority seem to be as AnneMarie described. . . "Put down the Cell Phone and Parent!! they feel raising their kid is everyone elses job, except when its time to do taxes.
But if you were to try to control someone's kid in your buisness, you'd end up bein sued, or protested by the latest PO'd womens group.
Just out of curiousity, why would you WANT to take your child into a spa? It is almost as annoying to the poor child as it is to the adult patrons, which is why the kids act up. If you can afford a spa, you can afford a babysitter and no one should be offended by the fact that children have no business in certain establishments. I am a mother of 3 and I wouldn't be offended by certain establishments restrictions on children based on the nature of their business. Those offended need to get over themselves.
I have a 9 year old son. As such, money is often tight in my household. On a very infrequent basis, I like to try to have a spa day (once a year, if I'm lucky). If I were to book an appointment for the spa a month in advance, and then spend over a couple hundred dollars for the experience, I'd hope the spa would do everything within their power to provide a quiet, calm, and relaxing environment.
On the flip side of things, this could provide a business opportunity for more adventurous spa owners. How about a family spa day? A discount package for moms and daughters, etc? That way if you bring the kid, they can be kept busy with some small spa activity that conditions them to act appropriately while they are there.
I totally support the businesses on this issue. It won't work in all settings of course but there are plenty of places that I feel children, unruly or otherwise have no business being at. I was a waitress/bartender for almost 20 years and have a whole host of horror stories I could tell you about completely out of control children who ruined the dining experience of everyone in the building while their parents sat there blissfully ignoring the destruction. I don't think it's out of line for there to be some sanctuaries out there for those of us who don't want to be held hostage to your need to reproduce.
The horror stories described by Carla.... seems to me the parents of those kids needed to be banned, not the children. Children who act inappropriately do not see enough appropriate behavior, and how will they ever learn it if they are always banned from places where they are expected to behave well at????
I love kids, but I agree... there are some places that aren't kid friendly. I know that salons have that problem, many have to pay for their stuff out of pocket, and have problems with the kiddos getting into stuff. I'd imagine a spa more so... and it's not relaxing when a kid is screaming at the top of their lungs. Obviously for them to put a sign up, they've had problems.
It's like the dog thing. I work at starbucks, I can't tell you how many people bring in "Princess Prada" the purse dog. I love dogs, but they don't need to have coffee with you. It's kind of gross really. Dogs belong outside or at home... not in a coffee shop.