Today Charlie and I went out to get a coffee with a friend of mine and her daughter. While we were there the kids were playing. Not running around and being wild just sitting in a high chair and a stroller; playing with some toys and every once in awhile Charlie would let out a squeal of delight at something. Which in turn sometimes caused my friends daughter to also squeal. They were not mad and I would try to tell Charlie not scream and put my hand on his mouth but I don't feel like telling him not to make happy noises is a good thing. Besides telling an eight month old to not squeal is like telling the sun not to shine...it doesn't really work. But I try. During our time there a man kept giving us dirty looks. My friend said sorry they are being noisy but they don't really know better. The man said that we should though. REALLY?? I mean they are kids! What did he want us to do? We have just as much of a right to be out in a coffee shop as everyone else! Our kids were not being bad, not crying, not running around and they are little! Charlie is only 8 months old and doesn't realize that squealing in the coffee shop isn't really appropriate.
I understand that people want to get out of the office and might need a change of scene; but don't go into a busy coffee shop and expect it to be quiet! Go to the library. Because believe me as much as you need a change of scene that stay at home mom probably needs it more.
So next time you go out and feel like you need to give dirty looks to a parent and their kid; remember: that parent KNOWS their kid is being loud. They don't need your dirty looks to let them know. Also there is a difference in kids being "happily" loud and screaming their heads off. And every kid is different. Some are vocal and some are not. So don't make the parents of vocal kids feel bad for needing a break and some time away from the house.
And please don't give me the whole "if they had kids they would understand" because when I didn't have kids I understood and I have met people with kids who don't understand as well. I think it comes down to people just being mean. I always try to be respectful of the fact that I am in public and people might not want to hear my baby being loud but please keep in mind that I can't always keep my baby perfectly quiet. So please try to refrain from shooting me dirty glances.
