'Moms Talk' Q & A: Should Some Rstaurants Ban Children?

Each week the council will answer a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.

This week, the Moms Council addresses the subject of whether any restaurants should be adults-only.

A Pennsylvania restaurant was featured in a Wall Street Journal article after the owner banned children under the age of 6. Although the majority of people polled favored the ban, it's clearly a polarizing issue.

I'm sure even many people with children have had dining experiences ruined by unruly youngsters. Of course, people will always tell you that the problem is other people's children, not their own.

I think the best solution is to have some separation, if possible. If I see a lot of children in a restaurant, I'll request to sit in the bar area. However, I've been in restaurants where this doesn't work because people will sit there with their children – I've been in a bar seating section that is more than half children. Perhaps making that section adults-only could satisfy everyone.

Now let's see what a parent has to say.

Kim Zannetti: I'm not sure how I feel about this. I think that there need to be family-friendly places.

If it is that much of an issue, I think having a section for family with small children is a much kinder solution that banning them altogether. I think that sends a dangerous message.