Australia is NOT child friendly?

2/11/2008

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Comments: 3 readers have left a comment

According to a press release from NAPCAN (National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) Australia is not child friendly.
You can read it here:

http://www.napcan.org.au/

Gosh, this is not news to me.
I spent the day in Fremantle with the kids today and tried to take them out for lunch - somewhere 'nice'. For the non-initiated that means somewhere that doesn't serve fries.
Most restaurants I have to say, are not thrilled when children arrive. I witnessed one woman trying to get a seat for herself and her 9 (!!!) children (at somewhere that shall remain nameless) and she was turned away.
Maybe it was because they were full, but the lack of enthusiasm shown to her was almost tangible. Is this fair? Children ARE messy, and there's a good chance they will spill their Coke all over the table...

Then I had to rescue my 8 year old from almost being trampled in the Fremantle markets again and again. I heard her using her most polite 'excuse me', but - no dice. Some people see children as an easy opportunity to push in *.
Why?
I am somewhat divided on the issue. I have to say that sometimes it is entirely justifiable as I have seen parents allowing their children to behave appallingly in public - that means YOU mother of the girls who were skating through Secret Harbour shopping centre.
Are they spoiling it for the rest of us?

As someone who has barely travelled outside our glorious nation I would love to hear what other people think...are we child-friendly? Or would we rather they take their sticky hands elsewhere?? Are they welcome if they are well-behaved? ie. quiet
Or are there places where kids just should not go?

* Just wanted to say that there was a notable exception in the lady who enjoyed showing my children the odder looking people who walked by, especially the punk mohawk guy!

Reader Comments

bignanna

04/11/2008 at 08:23

Have to agree Debra on your topic. I've seen some terrible situations in restaurants (family) and it really turns me off about children behaving badly, screaming, throwing tantrums, running around and mean while the parents are oblivious of what the children are doing. It really leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I have walked out of a restaurant (before I've sat my fat bum down) because of uncontrollable kids and I'm not talking about the 3 fast food chains, I'm talking good restaurants. Call me old fashioned but one thing that does really annoy me is in a good restaurant, women breast feeding at the table, sorry I might offend the younger generation of modern women that think they can flop the old boobie out at any time or anywhere, there is a time and a place for breast feeding, please don't say to me its my right, a bit of decorum please. I have grandsons that I can take anywhere and they do have excellent restaurant/table manners.

gatewaywa

07/11/2008 at 17:14

I have to agree with the attitude of ignoring children by the general public. It often surprises me when a question concerns a child (in hospitals, schools, shops or restaurants) the adults talk over the children instead of to them. From an early age children are capable of speaking for themselves and should be encouraged to politely contribute. It takes training, in the home. Self discipline requires practice and the opportunity to make mistakes in a non threatening, unhurried environment. Parents need to provide lots of little chores (play) for 3-6 year olds where they can practise pouring and spilling, large containers into smaller ones. Setting the table, moving their chairs quietly, eating nicely with mouths closed and waiting for your turn to speak. These old fashioned manners are gradually being forgotten in the rush of our lives. With a little planning every large job can be broken down into individual learning games for children until they can behave in self disciplined manner

mj

16/11/2008 at 11:43

This is all so true. I was shopping last week at Mount Hawthorn Shopping Centre (Perth) and was in line with my trolley with all of 4 items when I left my son (12) for 2 seconds to reach over to get 1 more item. Now this is an extremely small F&V shop I did actually just have to reach. When I turned around the women who was behind us in line had pushed her way in front of my son to get served before us. I was not impressed at all - so I retaliated by moving my trolley as far up the counter as possible so she was forced to pay on the move before being nearly shoved out the door - after all she must have been in a big rush to push in front of a 12 year old... After leaving the shop I explained to my very well behaved polite son that next time an adult (who is under 75, not handycapped and has more items than us) pushes in he should speak up and not let himself get bullied. He said "but Mum she asked if she could go first, and I said she could". Love me Son.....