i haven't been to this joint yet, but my opinion is that it's a sort of light-hearted attempt at humor that is also a gentle reminder that even though children are welcome, that it would be much appreciated -- by staff and other patrons alike -- that if your child is throwing a wild hissy (as children are wont to do), to take them outside for a bit to regroup. i have three children, all teenagers now, and believe strongly that children should absolutely be taken to public dining establishments as it's the only way for them to learn that dining out is a privilege, a luxury, and a responsibility of sorts...a responsibility as well as an opportunity to learn how to behave in public. those offended by this sign need to remember that there are some people in that restaurant who have set aside their hard-earned (perhaps even scarce) money for that meal and PAID A BABYSITTER so that they might have a peaceful, pleasant, relaxing dining experience AWAY from screaming children. they deserve to have their "investment" and their public dining experience respected. with that said, sometimes children lose their goddamned minds and that's just a fact of life. when that happens, their parents need to be courteous and handle it...and if that means going outside for a timeout -- or LEAVING ALTOGETHER, even -- then sometimes that is necessary. as a culture, we tend to be discourteous enough as it is -- to reinforce that behavior by allowing an entire restaurant to be disturbed for an hour because little madison or tucker doesn't want to eat their green beans is not only a disservice to the child, the staff, and all of the other patrons, it is ultimately a disservice to the parents themselves who are setting a precedent for future PARENTING HORROR. just wait until they're teenagers, my poppets! ACK! getting them to eat their vegetables will seem like a sunday walk through woodward park. =:o] awesome subject, by the way! xoxo

I'm sorry, but if you feel that way then don't go back. You are doing the restaurant a favor. I have 3 children and when they were in that stage I didn't take them out. I know how annoying it is to listen to a baby cry through a meal and I had enough courtesy to not do that to others who are expecting to go out to a nice meal and enjoy themselves. Why should my children spoil another person's evening? As a society we have to stop being so sensitive to every little comment that is put out there. If you take it personally then it is your problem. I really don't want to listen to your child cry while I am eating and trying to have a nice time. There is also someone called a babysitter that can take care of little ones. If not, then wait until they are old enough to enjoy the experience and teach them the rules of dining out.

Chesney, First off, my little one doesn't cry throughout a meal (except maybe at home sometimes *sigh*), and didn't cry at Pismo's, never said she did. And if she did get noisy, we would walk her around outside (something I do on occasion). We are very conscious of possibly annoying anyone. I don't support letting your kid just cry in public and saying "Screw these non-kid-having people! My kid is noisy and you're going to deal with it too!" Second, we get babysitters too, but you can't get baby sitters ALL the time. Just because you don't have a baby sitter means you can't go out, ever? Screw that - my girl can get pretty tired of looking at her parents all the time. I think it's fine (albeit, not relaxing) to bring your kids or baby out to a big LOUD restaurant, which IS what Pismo's is. It's not the Ripe Tomato or something, I may be a young dad, but I know not to bring a child into a quiet place. I'm simply questioning Pismo's judgement in essentially saying "We'd rather you didn't bring your baby here... we can't TELL ya you can't, but..." To me, they're sending the message that they're not family friendly. Cool, more power to them, folks need those places. But, I'm a local blogger that has a spot on a parenting site, so I feel the need to make a point that Pismo's is saying (subtly) they're not big on you bringing your kids.

When did it become OK to openly discriminate against children? There are laws against that in housing ... and such. Don't know if they extend to 'dining' establishments.

I agree parents shouldn't let their little ones throw big ones unheeded at a restaurant (or anywhere for that matter).

And when dining in public you aren't guaranteed a pleasant dining experience. Why? Because you are dining amongst others. I've been irritated by loud-mouths, bad service and poor food. I can't remember the last time I was irritated by someone who let their child tantrum unheeded. If they did, I'd be irritated with them too.

But to post a sign on the door that immediately alerts me my children are merely tolerated, but not really welcome? Meh, light-hearted or not, message received. I'll be spending my hard-earned money to dine out with my family elsewhere.

You know, it sometimes helps to just talk things over. I called the manager at Pismo's, Adrian, who has three children under age 5 himself. I asked him about the intention of the sign. Adrian said the "crybabies" reference is actually beach slang aimed at adults meaning no whiners, no complainers -- everybody just come in, relax and have a good time. It's not intended to discourage parents from bringing their kids in any way, crying or otherwise. He laughed when I suggested it, saying he'd be the last one to do that because of his own family situation.

LOL! Oh my, the debate all for naught. Oh Gail, you are so correct. Should've picked up the phone and asked.

Well, fun talk anyway. Maybe they should think about talking it off so some land-locked fool dumb blogger like me doesn't post-a-fool.

I still find the automatic anti-child talk interesting. When did kids get to be such a PITA to the general public?