Best Places to eat with Kids in Stafford

[tek-monkey]

Fair enough, it seems most people think kids should be dumped on babysitters if you want to go out! I can't see a problem with taking the kids out with you if its afternoon/very early evening, but am starting to think I'm in the minority. Obnoxious children should be dealt with by the landlord/manager, if their parents wont sort them out then kick the lot out. Unfortunately most are too scared to take matters on a case by case basis so a blanket ban is issued instead. Much easier to say it's the rules, innit.

 

[Bob]

Catch Corner at Jct13.
Red Hill at Jct14.
Both have indoor kids adventure play grounds.

But crap food.

 

[Bob]

Fair enough, it seems most people think kids should be dumped on babysitters if you want to go out! I can't see a problem with taking the kids out with you if its afternoon/very early evening, but am starting to think I'm in the minority. Obnoxious children should be dealt with by the landlord/manager, if their parents wont sort them out then kick the lot out. Unfortunately most are too scared to take matters on a case by case basis so a blanket ban is issued instead. Much easier to say it's the rules, innit.

I'd go to most places in the day, but very few in the evening with the kids. Their bed time is 7.30 and we're rarely out in the evenings. We are amazed at the number of people who comment on how well behaved our daughter is when we go out to eat, she uses her manners and stays sat in her seat without making too much noise. It's exactly how I would have been taught to behave at her age but I guess from people's reactions we're in the minority, she also makes an impression when the first thing she tries to order is a bowl of olives.

 

[tek-monkey]

TBH the only places I'd try to take kids in the evening would be a specific kids place, like those at J13 and J14. I did take the youngest to Narvana once though, she loved it and was on her best behavior all night.

Until 6/7pm though, I'd rather take them somewhere else. Like you say the food is crap at most kid centered places as they know you have to go there, when there are only a few places you can take the kids they don't need to try as hard! Even so, if someone else is visiting us from out of town with kids we'll end up in these places, we'd rather not but...

 

[littleme]

I'd go to most places in the day, but very few in the evening with the kids. Their bed time is 7.30 and we're rarely out in the evenings. We are amazed at the number of people who comment on how well behaved our daughter is when we go out to eat, she uses her manners and stays sat in her seat without making too much noise. It's exactly how I would have been taught to behave at her age but I guess from people's reactions we're in the minority, she also makes an impression when the first thing she tries to order is a bowl of olives.

We also get comments on my daughters good behaviour, but that's cos so many parents just let their kids run riot while they're out.

The olives comment is nice, took my daughter to McDonalds for the first time when she was about 4, and she asked for a dessert menu!

 

[Bob]

Going off topic slightly- I think the problem is parents who want to be friends with their kids instead of parents to them. I also think part of parenting is how to teach your kids to behave in a grown up environment, I was horrified when I took a 13 year old relative to a restaurant for lunch and she didn't know what a napkin was because it was made of cloth, didn't know why there were two sets of cutlery, couldn't sit still for a minute and played with her pizza, at one point rolling it into a ball on her plate. There is no way that will ever be something my child will do. Introducing them to different environments that need different types if behaviour is something that's vital to growing up well.

 

[zebidee]

Got to add that The Bear were fab when we went for a meal there recently, we were the only ones there around 6pm I think. 5 adults plus a 5 year old.

(I might have to say that 'controlling' your kids ain't always the most simple task, consider, my daughter announcing her great achievement in the bathroom to the whole of the restaurant. It made us laugh and remind her that we shouldn't say those things in public, but if there had been other patrons I'm sure they would have been disgusted. Their problem. Ha)

 

[zebidee]

We also get comments on my daughters good behaviour, but that's cos so many parents just let their kids run riot while they're out.

The olives comment is nice, took my daughter to McDonalds for the first time when she was about 4, and she asked for a dessert menu!

Glad I'm not the only one with a precocious kid. Mine tries to engage all adults in conversation. With varying success, depending on the ability of the person to offer the same courtesy they would extend to another adult.

 

[United57]

Fair enough, it seems most people think kids should be dumped on babysitters if you want to go out! I can't see a problem with taking the kids out with you if its afternoon/very early evening, but am starting to think I'm in the minority. Obnoxious children should be dealt with by the landlord/manager, if their parents wont sort them out then kick the lot out. Unfortunately most are too scared to take matters on a case by case basis so a blanket ban is issued instead. Much easier to say it's the rules, innit.

I was working in the Barnsley area and the hotel I stayed at had one of those ball things for the kids on the side. The place went through a refurb but they never reopened the play area due to parents staggering home and forgetting the kids! The hotel manager even had to call the police when a mother got irate when he refused to serve her another bottle of wine. She had driven there with a friend a load of kids.

 

[winnie67]

The Mill at Worston from Stafford Head out towards Eccleshall. They have lovely grounds with ducks, and a climbing area for kids. The meals are lovely especially sunday carvery

 

[tek-monkey]

Its an unfortunate truth, but just like the nurses up at the hospital all parents are tarred with the same brush as the ones who can't look after their kids. So because Waynetta can't keep little Frogmella quiet the kids who are well behaved have nowhere to go

 

[ChrisLewis]

It would take a really special kind of person to scald themselves and then blame you for it, do you get that happening often with cups of tea?

I am aware of it happening at McDonalds at some point, now all their hot drinks have a warning on the cup!

I'd much prefer the hot water, my daughter likes her bottles hotter than the bottle warmer gets them (if it's too cold she just holds the milk in her mouth and most of it ends up down her chin and neck). I promise I wont complain if I spill it on myself!

I must admit I have on the odd occasion used the facalities when I haven't been a customer, but I am also a fairly regular customer (breakfast once or twice a month, lunch once or twice a month, evening drinks and/or meals every time we come into town which isn't quite as often as I'd like) so please don't hold it against me.

The type of customers we keep the facilities locked for, tend to be more interested in white powder & it's not formula milk!

Fortunately I believe our style of Managment has resulted in them not frequenting The Swan, needless to say keeping a few precautions in place is in my view a worthwhile nuisance for us all.

And we certainly wouldn't hold you occasional use against you

 

[John Marwood]