Children in restaurants: Part II

We're back from our foray into the world of eating venues. We did try to eat at Cracker Barrel, because my aunt, uncle, and cousins prefer it; but luckily, there was no room at the inn for an hour. For those of you who like "Cracker Barrel", please note we do not. I don't know if this was a national problem, but around here there was a mighty scandal about how the local restaurants fired people if there was even a rumour of them being gay, and we are just not happy with giving a place like that money. They also have a bad track record around here of serving anyone who is not white and of... you guessed it... throwing children out. Sorry, I just don't see "Cracker Barrel" as an "adult" establishment, especially when they have signs all over the place proclaiming themselves to be "family-friendly" (and that's the excuse they gave for their blatant discrimination: We're a family place!")

That's right- shock of shocks. Places that call themselves "family" restaurants are places where I believe people should expect to find children eating. Never forget: Disney advertises itself as a family destination- even it's posh hotel. So be prepared to go there and find families.

Back to our adventure. So we cheerfully left the Cracker Barrel under the scowls of the hostess taking names after telling her not to bother putting down ours (lady, you just told us that these four kids would have to wait an hour to eat lunch, and then were shocked we didn't stay when this town is full of restaurants? You've got to be kidding me. But now we have "rudeness and poor attitude" to add to our litany of reasons not to go there), and took them instead to one of our favorite places, George's Pizza.

And it was a delightful time had by all.

The kids grabbed a table by the window, and Joey and Andy were having such a good time with their cousins that I didn't have to actually sit at that table, we happily and comfortably sat with the adults at the next table- though admittedly, I selected the chair next to the boys, because you never know when supervision needs to be tightened. No one ran around. There were no screams, no throwing of items, nothing that disturbed anyone. The one other party who was there left without incident or disturbance about halfway through our meal, having enjoyed theirs- even with our kids giggling together and eating their meals. Joey had a mouthful of pizza, but still doesn't like tomato. Andy actually sat on his chair to eat his salad and some pizza. The cousins enjoyed the fresh audience for their latest jokes. Both of my guys laughed themselves silly.

A big difference from Joey being told to "go away" by his classmates, or the idea of limiting the time a family can be in a "family" establishment. Acceptance for who we are. As we are. And giving everybody room to grow.