"child free areas"??

Okay here is something to ponder:
Someone suggested tonight that we should designate "child free areas" around the hotel that I work at. This is because many parents allow their children to simply do whatever they please even if it is disturbing the other guests. The common areas are a problem (like the pools and dining facilities) and many people really despise the way children run a muck in their rooms (banging chairs around, stomping, yelling, etc) and disturb them.

This is a difficult situation because ultimately it is the parents responsibility to keep the children in line. However, children will be children...

The hotel staff cannot punish the family that has kids unless the noise gets really out of hand and many parents feel that in the privacy of their own room their children can be left to do whatever they want since it is in private. The problem is the guests without kids are almost always disturbed or annoyed by those traveling with kids.

What do you think about this?? Would you favor "child free areas" in a hotel that you stayed at or would you consider it discrimination??

Comments: 5

Pam F. Aug 16, 2006, 8:42am EDT

I am not sure I am against child free areas if they are just a small portion of a hotel. I think its wise for the hotel staff to put people with kids apart (rooms) from people who don't have kids IF they can help it. I have worked in restaurants though and it is very common for a manager to ask a family to make their kids sit down. Or to take a screaming child outside if the child can not be comforted in a decent amount of time. Just like in church if your baby cries and you can't soothe him/her quickly most likely you will walk to the back of the church our even outisde till the baby quiets. Its respect. Some parents don't get that and they deserve to be told the rules of the place they are in. It is definitely not discrimination when it is done that way.

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Mandi -Watch where the chalk-white arrows go. To the place where the sidewalk ends. S.S. Aug 16, 2006, 10:57am EDT

while I am for it, I am sure people with kids will sue...

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John S. (arizona) Aug 16, 2006, 5:12pm EDT

I've seen it done in different places. I guess I don't have much of an opinion. Children can be a problem at times when traveling, cooped up in cars for hours, or a room. I think some are too intolerant at times and just don't like kids no matter how they behave. Other times, I can see the point. I've always looked at it as part of life on this Earth, and rarely have been bothered by kids anywhere.
Thanks.

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Sondi M. Sep 13, 2007, 3:36pm EDT

As a "childless by choice" couple, my husband and I beg for child free places to go. When asked at a restaurant, smoking or non, my first response is no kids and then no smoking. Sorry folks, but I am one of those who abhore's kids and would love to have days or special times in grocery stores, shopping places, etc. where no children would be in the area at all. If parents can't control their kids, don't force their loud, dirty creatures on me. And especially airplanes. My parents would have killed me if I had acted like some of the kids I see today. I was happiest the day my mother told me, I'm so glad you didn't have kids and I told my father, he was there when I was born and I didn't come out with a scrub brush in one hand and a baby diaper in the other. So, yes, I think there should be lots of child free areas.

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"child free areas"??

Comments: 5

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