Today, as I do most weekend days, I headed to the cafe down the street to get some writing done.  They have great coffee and a wonderful savory scone that I enjoy immensely.  The cafe is in an old Victorian house with tons of character, complete with doors to nowhere and creaky wooden floors.  The Barista is a cute little hipster boy who makes a most excellent latte and despite being busy as a one-man-crew, always friendly and helpful.  I usually spend a couple of hours, sipping my latte and nibbling at my scone and writing a couple thousand words or so.

But as per usual, my peaceful time is disrupted by poorly behaved young children whose parents think it is okay to let them run about and knock over things and generally make a mess.  I realize I am going to sound like a cranky old lady, but I am also a mother who has fully raised two children, and am currently raising a third.  None of my kids, at any age, would have been allowed to run around inside any establishment (other than maybe a play studio?) as if it were a playground.  Had they behaved like that, they’d have been swiftly set to rights and reminded that ladies and gentlemen, even young ones, must follow expected protocol at an indoor event.  It should be no problem for a child of 4 or 5 years of age to sit quietly for 30 minutes with a book, toy, or snack while their parents visit over a cup of coffee.  They should not interrupt adults unless the roof is on fire, and they should play quietly using their inside voices.

I am not stupid.  I know it is hard for kids to behave at all times.  But there are standards of behavior that should be enforced by parents or caregivers.  Children allowed to do as they wish when they are small, are going to turn into teenagers and young people that no one wants to be around.  I don’t know what excuse the parents rely on to not teach their children manners, but whatever the excuse is, it is inexcusable.  When the behavior of your children impacts those around you in a public, indoor environment, it falls upon you to set them to rights, and to be sure that other patrons are not being inconvenienced by your children.  It is not “children will be children,” or “oh, isn’t that cute.”  It is annoying, and disruptive.  And it doesn’t need to be.

I will not forget the times I was complimented on the behavior of my children.  It makes a mother very proud to hear that someone noticed that her children were well-behaved.  It made me know that the hard work of making them behave was worth it.  I now have polite adults who remember that they are not alone in a public place, and that their actions affect others.

I just wish the parents in today’s visit understood the value of teaching their children manners.  It can make all the difference.

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