Around the Web…

Some stories to send you into the weekend:

• Constance Marie‘s latest blog: all about labor (no, not that kind!) — ConstanceMarie.net
• Babies’ nighttime sleeping patterns can be linked to obesity later in life — Chicago Tribune
• Five items to help you with postpartum pain — lilSugar
• A British study says new parents are often at risk for depression — New York Times
• The mom of an autistic child fights back at a restaurant’s ‘no screaming children’ policy — ParentDish

Comments

I don’t even know what to say on the autistic child in the restaurant because I really don’t know who I agree with. I kind of understand both sides and think both the owner and mother were a bit unreasonable in this situation. What the owner or manager (can’t remember which) said to the mother was uncalled for an inappropriate, if it’s true. To say something about bringing her son out in public was just rude and uncalled for and offensive. I do feel bad for the parents as they probably constantly get looks because of their childs behavior and people probably don’t understand. And If I were them I guess I probably wouldn’t want to leave everytime that kid had an outburst.

However, I get where they are coming from. Restaurants are not daycare centers and employees do not want to hear a screaming and wailing child. Neither do other paying customers. I don’t really have a problem with a small infant crying because he/she is hungry and I also don’t have a problem with the no screaming rule in general. What I do have a problem with however, is using the kids disability as an excuse to get around rules. Rules are not meant to be broken and autism is not an excuse to just scream in public. I know plenty of autistic kids who don’t do that. If this woman is going so far to rebel against this rule, what is she teaching her child? I know all too many parents who do this and honestly, the rule does kind of make sense. If a breastfeeding mother is kicked out of a restaurant, I am supportive of her, because she was not disrupting the restaurant or other customers, but in this case, I can definitely see why the rule was put in place. Also, if this woman has a problem with this rule, why doesn’t she just eat somewhere else? It’s not like she’s being forced to eat there anyway. If I saw that sign and knew my child screamed a lot, I just wouldn’t eat there.

So anyway, I’m just kind of torn on that situation lol. Sorry for the long novel of a post!

- Erika on September 10th, 2010

I agree Erika! It’s a tough call, she just shouldn’t eat there in my opinion. I have a 3 year old, and we’ve had our moments at restaurants. I do my best to be considerate of others and remove her when I can, but she also has to learn so I refuse to stop eating out. When I’m out without her it’s nice to not hear screaming children, but I understand it happens and I always give a nice nod to the parents and let them know I feel their pain!

- jessicad on September 10th, 2010

I have two autistic sons and I’m embarrassed by this mother. She’s so selfish to want to force people to listen to her son freak out, just because she wants to go out to eat. I like to eat out but I take my kids to places appropriate for their disabilities (fast food places and buffets mostly). If my boys do act up, I take them out to the car. I’m not embarassed by them, but respectful of the rights of others. I can’t believe that she thinks that her son’s disability entitles HER to eat anywhere she wants without having to keep him calm or remove him if he is agitated. Just unbelievable and she thinks she’s helping the cause of those with autism too!

- Cici on September 10th, 2010