STFU.

99.44% of places allow kids.

You hear me bchn about the dirtbag parents who let their bstrds run around like idiots everywhere?

Again, 99.44% of places alow kids so if an occasional place wants to cater to adults only move on.

Well, I don't sympathize, if an establishment says "no kids". My husband & I don't have children, nor do our closest friends/ siblings. So most of our events are "adult only". I only responded because our wedding/ reception was held on a yacht and it was "adults only". I didn't want to be held responsible for kids hurting themselves, getting into trouble while on this vessel, or falling overboard. As the previous poster, so eloquently put it, most places allow children anyway, so don't fret. Those evenings when us "adult only" groups/couples dine out and try to have a good time, its often interupted by babies crying, kids whining, or running around the establishment like they're on a playground. It can be quiet annoying...even more so when the parents don't even try to do anything about it! Especially in a movie theater, oh don't get me started...

Some places, yes it is appropriate to prohibit children, the yacht wedding, evenings out at nice restauants, ect. But a salon? Give me a break! If I saw that sign, I would keep walking and NEVER patronize that establishment.

You have the option to not patronize an establishment that refuses children. If everyone was as good of a parent as you seem to think you are, there would be no reason to forbid children from establishments. Who gets served when your kid ("your" being a general term) slips, falls and cracks his/her skull doing god-knows-what at an establishment because the entire establsihment isn't a child-proof padded cell? The business owner. I can't blame them for not wanting to assume the liability.

and who watches your kid while you are getting your hair washed/cut and maybe colored ? who makes sure your child is safe while you are getting your nails done ? who do you expect to do this, the shampoo girl, the other patrons. when i go to have my hair done etc, it is a time to relax and enjoy being pampered. the last thing i want is some kid crying and nagging and maybe even taking up a seat that a patron could sit in. i do not dislike children, i too was a single parent. i do not want to be bothered by your kid ! there is no need for me to tolorate your child while i am being pampered. it takes a lot of guts to post a sign like that.

Unbelievable comments and from women too! Of course, mothers did not lose reason and sanity when they gave birth and yes some occassions do call for adults only situation; but, the point here is that increasingly in the USA women are losing the bond with children to the point that you call them burdens, bastards, etc...How fortunate when you were a tot the family and community life you grew up in was different than the hostile one of today. Let us hope that when you get old the young of today will not be selfish like you and call you a burden, and a pest.

Lucy, in an ideal world, you would be correct. However, in an ideal world, the supreme court precedent would be that parents have to take responsibility for their children and, purely from a litigation stand point, would be responsible if their child is injured at no direct fault of a business owner. This is only one example of why I don't fault a business owner for not allowing children. I don't see where the original poster identified the reason the salon owner posted the sign. Maybe someone's kid was running around and slipped on a wet spot on the floor, or slipped on someone's cut hair, cracked their skull then the parents sued. This is a very likely scenario. I've fallen or almost fallen, as both a child and an adult, at salons. It's an inherent risk, but one people actually can sue over, and will win even if the salon owner wasn't directly negligent in the upkeep of his or her establishment.

From the perspective of a salon owner (there are dozens of salons in the area that I can think of off hand geared specifically to children, so the argument of well kids need their hair cut too isn't really valid) or another similar service provider, at what point do you say ok - my good regular clients are getting really annoyed at the two or three possibly otherwise good regular clients that can't keep control of their children and are threatening to leave for a more adult oriented salon - what do I do? Which clients do I want to lose? It's a lose-lose situation for everyone involved. I'm sure the salon owner doesn't WANT to forbid children but something prompted the sign.

Bottom line - Move on. Find a family friendly establishment. There's plenty out there to give your money to and receive the service they offer. There's plenty of service providers out there that go so far as to even offer daycare services on site - you may have to spend a pretty penny or pay an additional fee, but that's at the discretion of the service provider. Whether or not you pay it? Your discretion. There's no reason to have a knee-jerk reaction of outrage. It's the choice of the business owner whether or not children are welcome.

One choice story - Someone's kid ran into me at full tilt in a local supermarket, ricocheted off signage, knocking over the display and was lucky to not be seriously hurt. I'm helping the kid up, and up-righting the display, then the mother has the nerve to yell at me? For what? Because I exist on the same planet as their precious child? I'm sure if you imagine my response, you'd be pretty accurate if it involves telling them to keep their kid on a leash if they can't keep the kid from running off at full tilt.

If I had hair, I'd patronize that salon. I regularly tip the maitre'd to seat me away from children, when I go out for dinner. Why? Because a great majority of children today have not been taught to behave appropriately in public. Revel in your brat's individuality at home; when you're in public, have a modicum of consideration for the rest of us.

I'm confused why these "anti-children" folks are even reading a PARENTING blog!?!? Someone want to explain that to me. Thanks!

JB, possibly because some of us are parents and thought the OP might have something insightful to say regarding children in public? Then were sorely disappointed by the message of OMG THEY'RE ANTI-CHILDREN AND ANTI-FAMILY!! I'M SO OFFENDED!! Without any further elaboration or really any intelligent remarks by the OP. It's not demeaning to put up a sign saying "No kids". It would be demeaning to tell a customers child "you're not allowed here because you're a child and your an obnoxious pig-face.".

Really.

Grammar correction - you're, not your - since people have nothing better to do than to be critical about a typo and will insult based only on a typo...

Get over yourself! It's perfectly appropriate for a business owner to set limits and decide whether or not to welcome children. Generally speaking, I prefer to avoid places that are overrun with kids. You seem to prefer them. That's fine. Just keep your kid out of my comfy, civilized hair salon, and I'll stay away from yours. There are more than enough choices for both of us. Sheesh.

I'm a single Mom of a 9 year old. I HATE dining around loud, obnoxious, crying small children! (So does my son.) If I am invited to something, and it is not clear if children are welcome, I have the common sense to ask. If I am told they are not welcome, I kindly decline the invitation (if I cannot find a sitter.) There is always "another time" when either my son will be welcome, or maybe he will be at his dad's ...

I am throwing a baby shower for my sister ... and guess what -- NO CHILDREN ALLOWED!! Not my son, not her step-children -- No Kids -- It's a fun day for all of our friends - a girly day. Also, NO MEN! Not co-ed, not a couples shower -- just for the ladies.
I don't take offense to 'No kids allowed" -- my son has NEVER been to the salon with me -- that's my time, it's quiet and precious to me!

Well, it's good to know some of these people don't have kids, so they won't pollute the gene pool any further. The problem with a BUSINESS banning kids is ignorant. Have a 12 year old daughter that Mom & Daughter want to spend a morning getting pampered together, but can't go somewhere for no reason. Well, don't go to them. Make an appointment to do it, bring your child with you, and tell them with everyone there why you won't be back.

As far as the cow that specified no kids at her yacht wedding, it was the River Queen, which is closer to a row boat than a yacht. She'll be the first one mooing about her hellspawn not being invited if she ever loosens up to have kids. Better again for the gene pool with all these poeple not having kids.

Misbehaving kids? Yeah, and most of them are here illegally and don't speak English.

OJS is probably angry because still doesn't know who daddy is. Cinny is the shrew on the cell phone in the movie, driving the car, etc. Caz seems to think she is a lawyer. Got a flat back degree, huh? Pete is probably the guy following your kids home from school and wants to be far away so he's not recognized. SusieQ, Wal-Mart has a special on brains, I suggest you buy 2, this way you have a spare. Get over yourself.

Remember, if it's ok for them to put a sign up saying no kids, don't start complaining when stores start putting up signs that say no blacks, no hispanics, no christians, no jews, English Only and so on. What, because they're kids it doesn't count as discrimination?

A PRIVATE party is one thing, however, don't lie about "safety" because you don't want kids somewhere. Newsflash, kids will ALWAYS be around, they'll be staffing your nursing homes and hospital rooms. Better think again how you treat them today, because they'll give it back to you in the future.

Yes, other peoples children annoy me also. However, the elderly person about to run me over in the grocery store in their cart also annoys me, the complaining boca b**ch annoys me, the obnoxious man racing in and out of traffic annoys me, the loud drunk couple dinning next to me annoys me, the woman that will not put down her cell phone while I'm trying to relax at the hair salon annoys me.

I think that if we focus too much on every time something annoys us it could drive you insane. Why can't we try to focus more on the 90% of children that are well behaved and a joy to be around? I think as a society we also need to stop thinking that everything children do as "annoying". Yes, their voices are louder, the legs move faster and they like to ask many questions but if you allow yourself to enjoy these things about them instead of roll your eyes about it you'll be a much happier person. Remember someday you will be old and probably annoying to many people but you will still want to be treated in a respectful way.

As for the salon I would have walked in there with my child and not have worried a moment about the sign on the door. I know my child is well behaved and would be fine and that I'm bringing him to a public place that really has no right to refuse my child from entering it so tough noggies if they don't like it. To the comment about who is watching your child I am assuming nobody is bringing a baby or toddler that needs constant attention. The children are probably sitting playing their Ipods or DS while their mothers are getting their hair washed and cut. Mom's not in surgery just getting her hair done and can still talk to her children if needed.

My children are grown. When they were young, I gravitated toward child-friendly establishments. I recognized that no one wanted to pay good money to have their dining, salon, movie, etc experience "ruined" by a screaming, crying, energetic child. I love children, but appreciate parents who respect others' rights to a enjoy activities and services in an adult atmosphere.

My children are grown. When they were young, I gravitated toward child-friendly establishments. I recognized that no one wanted to pay good money to have their dining, salon, movie, etc experience "ruined" by a screaming, crying, energetic child. I love children, but appreciate parents who respect others' rights to a enjoy activities and services in an adult atmosphere.

Don't have kids, don't want to be around them. Most parents don't know how to backhand their kids into silence or civility so an experience out can be ruined. I ALWAYS request to sit where there are NO KIDS and would not stay in an establishment where brats could engage in unruly behavior.

Oh, and I'm reading this because I wanted to see how you breeders were going to whine about the horrible treatment of your "precious offspring."

i think it's great! there should be more such places. in fact, why are kids allowed at all in any place that caters to adults? like we should have to watch our language for some little tyke. this is a great idea. i hate kids!

Nothing wrong with this. Most kids are annoying and do not know how to behave. The reason is because parents don't discipline their kids these days. You give 1 warning to obey and if it happens again, spank them. Yes, I said spank! No 8 or 9 warnings. The problem with kids now is they do not get spanked and they know they can get away with and say anything they want. They may lose their Playstation or Wii for a day, but the kids today have their parents trained well. No severe discipline at all. And yes, I have a kid.

I think people should have more common sense then to bring their children to the salon unless it's the child getting the haircut. Hair Salons and Nail Salons have all sorts of strong chemical fumes and powders in the air that a child shouldn't be inhaling. I'm a mother of two and neither of my children go with me to either place. I love my children and I take them everywhere with me, but I can't keep an eye on them when someone has my head in a sink or I'm sitting in a pedicure chair. And every other time that they are with me, I always make sure I have things to keep their little minds occupied, I don't expect them to find something to do with what's around them.

I was raised that children should be seen and not heard. Some people may say that is an old way of thinkging, well, I'm not old, I am a young 32. If your child can not act oppropriatly in public, then don't bring them to places that you know they will get bored and that will be full of adults. They have their places where they can act crazy and it's called Chuck E Cheese. We adults have our places for relaxation and be pampered and that is called the salon.

I think the same person must keep posting under different names. There is noway there are that many people reading this blog that hate children, and if there are I really can't think of something more sad. You hate children, but sit around reading blogs that deal with children...get a life.
I don't agree with the hair salon, however I do understand other points of view about it. What I can't understand is why so many people (once again on a PARENTING blog) are calling children brats, objects (should be seen and not heard), annoying, obnoxious, stupid and the worst should be "backhanded" ? Seriously, if it really isn't the same person posting under different names then I wish people that aren't interested in PARENTING issues should keep their nasty comments to other more appropriate blogs. Maybe for "white" you could start a blog about people that want to curse and use bad language in public, or maybe "tray117 & grizbear" can get together and start a blog on your wonderful beat your child parenting philosophy. As for everyone else I don't know why we can't talk about this without resorting to calling children names. You can state that you like a very relaxed atmosphere while getting your hair down without calling all our kids brats.

Actually, we appreciate everyone's viewpoint, so long as it's presented respectfully. (The first reader comment fails that standard miserably, but I think it says more about the person who wrote it than it does about this blog).

I think it's great to hear from people who, um, don't appreciate the presence of our children in certain places. Helps us understand them, and hopefully their participation in this blog helps them understand us a little.

Wow, this is really disturbing. Everything from parents agreeing that children have no place in the adult World, to being called bastards, brats, and BACKHANDED? What the Hell is wrong with you people? I realize that growing up in the 40's through the 70's, children were to be "seen", not "heard", but we've come quite far in terms of understanding the psychological repercussions this had. Many of you posting about how children are annoying are excellent bi-products of that mentality. Do you not believe that you were once that "annoying, bratty bastard of a child" at one time, too? If you do not, then I beg your pardon and call you a narcissist! As for patronizing a business that says "No Kids", I can respect ther right to say no. There are plenty of other salons in the World and this is not the only one. I have found the child-friendly locations and frequent them with my highly-energetic son. Is he perfectly behaved? Nope. Does he get obnoxious from time-to-time? Yep. Do I scold him appropriately? I believe so. He gets two warnings and the third is a time out at the exterior of wherever we are. I do not engage in a power struggle in the middle of a restaurant or store; I remove myself and my son from the situation without saying a word and wait it out. The problem with most parents (and I believe someone else stated this early on) is that we have become a society of intolerance for anything, including children. I behoove those of your mouthing off by calling my child a "brat" do some inner reflection before running on your tangents: you were once this child and if you were abused because of it, counseling works miracles. I would prefer to be a loving parent, however, and absolutely adore every moment I have with my son; at home AND in public. This is just called life and until one has a child (okay, until "some have children"), only then can the true breadth of this topic be handled with care.

I just think people with objection to children being in places are short tempered,intolerant,selfish,irresponsible and lazy. No wonder American children have disrespectful attitude towards elders.I hope these kid haters do not have any children. Parents also need to accept some risks when they take children along instead of suing people. These sue happy parents and businesses are responsible for part of the problem too.

I wish that the name of the establishment that bans kids was named - SO I COULD SEND THEM A $50 DONATION! I am so tired of having to suffer through the antics of your ill-behaved vermin.

Thanks Ladies for all the great input on both sides.
However I have a situation pertaining to this subject; I rent a room in a Day Spa (of sorts), I am an Esthetician specializing in Brazilian Waxing, obviously not a child friendly service. Although many of my clients will bring a 2 year old and younger to keep them in a stroller to scream while the service takes place. I actually don't have a problem with this. I understand the meaning of 'stay at home mom' which means no sitters or day care, so you bring them with. Sometimes my clients need moral support and bring their sister (not in the room, they wait in the waiting area) and she brings her 2 kids, they crawl around the place while my client receives her service.
Our waiting area does not have reception, we have 4 seperate businesses in this day spa, we are each responsible for our own clients. I have insurance that covers anything that could cause a lawsuit, so whats the worry right???

Now to the problem at hand... My landlord and tennant of one of the 4 rooms, also her furnishings in the waiting area. She has been harrasing me since I signed the lease (which has no mention of not allowing children) to Not Allow Children. Why? I ask, she keeps saying it's a liability? But I'm insured... To the point that if she finds a childs fingerprints on the window I will get harrassing voice mail messages and she corners me at the spa, ragging about this.

I was actually hoping to find some legal words to throw against her for discrimination to children, instead I found this blog...

I just opened my own practice in April this year, so right now I'm the YES girl, any time any service I will take your business. This is a tough enough economy I don't want to turn people away. She has now told me that I have to put NO KIDS on my web site, I should also tell all new clients over the phone if they have children not to bring them, and if they show up with one I am to send them away to return another day. Seriously!! I can't stand this woman any more, I wish I could ban her!
Please help any advise would be greatly appreciated, remember I am in a lease for 7 1/2 more months, so I'm stuck with her. I have to make peace over this kid thing, but I refuse to say "No to Kids".

Amy:
Thanks for sharing your circumstances with us. I'm not a lawyer so I really can't give any legal advice. But in these tough economic time, you may want to stress to your landlord, like you did in your comment that limiting kids will hurt your business. Anything that hurt your business can hurt your ability to pay her, which she should understand. Maybe you can work out a compromise to make sure that when clients with kids come in they're seen promptly so their time within the waiting room is limited. Just some suggestions.