[import36]

if this was recorded and posted via Youtube....probably would've gone viral in no time. i would've been disgusted/appalled/etc....

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by FDM68

Though I do equate craker barrel the Wal Mart of resturants I have to say thats way above nasty....

Sadly, in downstate IL there are damn few fine dining options. Those that have tried to run a higher end restaurant have all failed. This is the only place I've ever seen where they had to build dual-driveup-window McDonald's in order to ease the traffic backups onto the main roads through town. (Mind you, this is a very small town.) No shortage of burger/pizza places in town. Good sit-down meal places are harder to find.

[Maestro]

All I have to say is some people have no clue, however, before kids my wife and I use to complain about all things kids and could not understand why parent did what they did. Once you have kids you begin to appreciate what a parent goes through, and realized what is important and what is not so important.

However, even with having kids there were things we would never do which is to inconvenient others, like letting the kid run around places, scream, yell and cry out of control in public places and especially exposed others to their bathroom habits.

I personally would have reported this woman to the manager and if they did nothing about it then report it to the chain management. There is more at risk here than making people unconformable.

I will tell this is not the first time hearing of such and I have seen similar things, one time on a beach saw a woman dig a hole in the sand and she let the kid crap in the hole. I've seen parents pull down the kids pants and let them pee on a sidewalk or something similar. If you say anything to these people they look at you as if you are the one with no clue.

[Stronghammer]

Just thinking about the people seated at that table after them. Umm not good. Don't think I will be going to cracker barrel any time soon.

[Busa1]

Did any other customers notice what was going on? If so, were they ignoring it or we're they disgusted?

[schoy]

While I do not condone what the mother did, one thing having kids did teach me is being more understanding as to the travails that parents go through. Every parent has done one thing or another in the course of raising their children that they weren't entirely proud of. It happens. Especially when you're exhausted. And who knows, maybe they have one or more handicapped children (Downs' syndrome, austism, etc.) that makes raising the kids triply hard.

Just saying that perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to vilify without knowing all the facts. A quick word with management would have sufficed; I don't see this is being so evil or dangerous that we need to pillory the parents, nor does it warrant comments like "Some people shouldn't reproduce." I'm sure some of the greatest minds in the history of the world ran around screaming when they were kids, had their diapers changed in public, etc.; I'm sure we are quite glad they were born...

[UncleWede]

Even though my wife's family has this (to me) disgusting fascination with sniffing the butt on family kids suspected of having dirty diapers, they still take them out of the room (even at home) to change the diapers.

Even if the kid ate peanuts, lick his butt in the bathroom.

[solefald]

as disgusting as it is, some of the rugs bussers use to wipe restaurant tables are probably dirtier than any amount of shit you would ever see.

[Kroy]

Originally Posted by boymonkey

Tell the mother to do that in the bathroom. Tell the staff and the manager. If they look like they don't care then make them.

+1

If they don't care, put your fork down and kindly tell the staff you're leaving as they are not promoting a healthy eating environment and you are not paying. Then take a picture and tell them you're sending it to the local food and safety health board. Restaurant deserves any repercussions that incur as they made a conscious decision to not address the issue.

Shame on the parents too. This is not even normal behavior in 3rd world countries. Some people have no respect nor common courtesy.

Question for OP. How did that baby's shit taste? Be mad at the restaurant; they've wronged you.

At minimum, I would write a letter cc to Cracker Barrel local restaurant and corporate office and tell them about your experience. It's not too late to write them and I'm 120% sure corporate will appreciate you notifying them about this clearly unacceptable behavior.

[Kroy]

Originally Posted by schoy

While I do not condone what the mother did, one thing having kids did teach me is being more understanding as to the travails that parents go through. Every parent has done one thing or another in the course of raising their children that they weren't entirely proud of. It happens. Especially when you're exhausted. And who knows, maybe they have one or more handicapped children (Downs' syndrome, austism, etc.) that makes raising the kids triply hard.

Just saying that perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to vilify without knowing all the facts. A quick word with management would have sufficed; I don't see this is being so evil or dangerous that we need to pillory the parents, nor does it warrant comments like "Some people shouldn't reproduce." I'm sure some of the greatest minds in the history of the world ran around screaming when they were kids, had their diapers changed in public, etc.; I'm sure we are quite glad they were born...

You're just making excuses. I understand there are real world dynamics, and everyone has a back story but there are many responsible parents that didn't let their child defecate in public. The fault isn't with the children either, it's the parents. You can't possibly argue these parents didn't infringe on everyone else's lives. They simply chose not to be responsible.

[EvosM3]

Were they foreigners?

[DieselDiner]

It's too bad you didn't find the manager and ask if the action was acceptable. If no, then the manager needed to act. If yes, you should then write the corporate office and ask them what they think. I can just about guarantee you that the corporate office would be appalled.

There is no excuse for what this parent was doing. NONE. I'm angry at the sniveling excuses written a few posts earlier. Regardless of the situation (since there apparently was not a fire and no one was dying at that moment), the parent owes it to all the other patrons to get their ass into a more appropriate area for changing the diaper. What they were doing is so unsanitary - and dangerous to the next party to be seated at the table.

[Kroy]

^ someone with some sense.

Passive aggressive America, man. People are too wussy to call them out. If the restaurant lacked the common sense to, I would have called those parents out on it as a patron but then again I don't stand for that type of nonsense. (this is in no way meant as an insult to the OP)

[schoy]

Originally Posted by Kroy

You're just making excuses. I understand there are real world dynamics, and everyone has a back story but there are many responsible parents that didn't let their child defecate in public. The fault isn't with the children either, it's the parents. You can't possibly argue these parents didn't infringe on everyone else's lives. They simply chose not to be responsible.

I didn't say they weren't irresponsible. But do they deserve comments like "Some people shouldn't reproduce"? Does anyone here have kids? I'll bet anything that every parent has had at least one instance where they acted irresponsibly with their kids in public. And I guarantee that every one of you who will have kids also have an experience like that. Not making excuses, but no reason to be that harsh.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by schoy

I didn't say they weren't irresponsible. But do they deserve comments like "Some people shouldn't reproduce"? Does anyone here have kids? I'll bet anything that every parent has had at least one instance where they acted irresponsibly with their kids in public. And I guarantee that every one of you who will have kids also have an experience like that. Not making excuses, but no reason to be that harsh.

Would you have the same opinion if i were changing my elderly grand parents dirty diaper at the table? I'm assuming you wouldn't be cool with that.

There are a few things in this country that are tearing away at it's backbone. Entitlement and a lack of accountability for one's actions are couple of them. As a human, when you decide to have sex with the opposite sex there are a few things to consider. I may contract a disease and i may conceive a child. Sadly most people don't think about this before they fill the banana boat. Those few that do likely don't think about the repercussions and responsibilities that come with the possible outcome of either result. And i'm not saying that parents shouldn't be afforded some special treatment in certain circumstances. But what it comes down to is that people are not entitled to change diapers at a table in a public restaurant. Once you have that child you're responsible for raising that child without adversely affecting other people around you. IE, the kid and yourself get a break because diapers exist, so be a sport and change that dirty bastard in the bathroom, in your car or at your own damn dinner table.

Short of possible loss of life for some unfathomable reason, there is no reasonable excuse for actions like what OP experienced.

Just my opinion of course.

[schoy]

Look, I'm not trying to make excuses for them. Again, I agree that it's irresponsible. But, to me, with a modicum of compassion and understanding, it doesn't warrant the amount of vitriol being slung on this board. Again, a simple word with management would have sufficed.

If you're going to lecture people about entitlements, you need to also address the same "entitlement" that people seem to have that allows them make over-the-board comments from the safety of their computers. Like I said, wait till you (meaning, the general "you") have kids, and tell me you can be the perfect parent 100% of the time. Have a little compassion and understanding as to what might have driven the parent to make the mistake that the parent made. One shouldn't prosecute the crime without knowing the intent. As a parent, my first thought wasn't abject revulsion, but "Gee, I wonder what circumstances conspired to make a parent do that."

Edit: One more note: This could have happened to anyone, including all of you (if or when you have kids). Don't think you're not above making mental lapses when it comes to raising kids. There are plenty of stories of seemingly "perfect", loving parents who, in a mental lapse, forgot that their sleeping child was still in the backseat of their car when they left for work, leaving their child to be cooked slowly alive in 120 degree heat. Obviously, they are heartbroken, but in most cases, their conduct wasn't criminalized. This is one of my greatest fears as a parent, but I also understand that parenting is a tough job, and no one is ever prepared all the time, 100% of the time.

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by schoy

I didn't say they weren't irresponsible. But do they deserve comments like "Some people shouldn't reproduce"? Does anyone here have kids? I'll bet anything that every parent has had at least one instance where they acted irresponsibly with their kids in public. And I guarantee that every one of you who will have kids also have an experience like that. Not making excuses, but no reason to be that harsh.

I have kids. I wasn't there to see what the OP saw to fully understand the circumstances about the family in question. But there ARE people out there who should NOT have kids. Just think of that 'octo-mom' as an example.

As far as changing diaper is concerned, I have done it in the car when I do not want to do it on the change table.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by schoy

Look, I'm not trying to make excuses for them. Again, I agree that it's irresponsible. But, to me, with a modicum of compassion and understanding, it doesn't warrant the amount of vitriol being slung on this board. Again, a simple word with management would have sufficed.

If you're going to lecture people about entitlements, you need to also address the same "entitlement" that people seem to have that allows them make over-the-board comments from the safety of their computers. Like I said, wait till you (meaning, the general "you") have kids, and tell me you can be the perfect parent 100% of the time. Have a little compassion and understanding as to what might have driven the parent to make the mistake that the parent made. One shouldn't prosecute the crime without knowing the intent. As a parent, my first thought wasn't abject revulsion, but "Gee, I wonder what circumstances conspired to make a parent do that."

Edit: One more note: This could have happened to anyone, including all of you (if or when you have kids). Don't think you're not above making mental lapses when it comes to raising kids. There are plenty of stories of seemingly "perfect", loving parents who, in a mental lapse, forgot that their sleeping child was still in the backseat of their car when they left for work, leaving their child to be cooked slowly alive in 120 degree heat. Obviously, they are heartbroken, but in most cases, their conduct wasn't criminalized. This is one of my greatest fears as a parent, but I also understand that parenting is a tough job, and no one is ever prepared all the time, 100% of the time.

I agree with the bolded portion of your post. Most people on this forum are quick to judge without having even a fraction of the info needed to do so. Also, i am not lecturing anyone, just giving my opinion as stated in the post. However, as of late, i have experienced a trend in parents assuming that it's ok to step outside the rules and use their kids as an excuse.

I'm still not sure if i follow how this could be a mental lapse though. Can you think of an acceptable reason why the diaper changing couldn't be postponed to the car or the restroom or even when they got home? Or are you positioning that she could have just changed it without thinking? Kind of like how you don't remember that last 30 miles you just drove on a road trip? I'll have a hard time buying into that seeing as her whole family was present.

[kevinbahnz]

that person who left their child in the car shouldn't have kids..

[sanf]

no way. its fuked up . changing the kid in the back of the suv is as far as i'll go. that is just ridiculous. The restaurant manager should've said something

[Bobble]

I have two adult children and a grand child, I've changed a few diapers in my day. While I do agree a word with management would be the most appropriate course of action and a lot of the bantering about I would do this and that is just bantering. There is no excuse or rational thought that could condone any of this. I have never ever changed a diaper in an open public place. I would have simply talked to management, taken a cell phone pic and forwarded that on to CB corporate and local and state health organizations.
I don't care how tired, how worn out and stressed you might be that is just simply wrong and shows no concern or caring about anyone but yourself. Like I said I rasied two children, over half of their preadult life as a single parent and have my grandson two days a week while mom and dad work the PM shift(medical professsionals). Worse thing I can think of is letting my son pee in a parking lot when we could not find a bathroom and it was there or the car and even then we doused it with a bottle of water.

[PINeely]

Originally Posted by DARK_M3

Breast feed wherever you want but change diapers far away from my eyes

I actually can't stand public breast-feeders. When you do a double take they get all pissed off at you and expect you to just act like nothing is happening. YOU HAVE YOUR FUCKING TITS OUT! I'm not trying to ogle anybody but as a male that situation will ALWAYS catch my attention.