Did you catch the news about that café owner who had a meltdown over a child making a mess? Or the eatery that decided to ban kids after 7 PM? Seriously, what’s up with that? If you’re running a restaurant, you should expect a little chaos, especially when kids are involved. But I have to admit, I feel awful when my little ones turn into whirlwind troublemakers at a restaurant. The truth is, I’m usually so busy trying to keep them in check that I forget about the impact they’re having on other diners and the staff. By the time we leave, I’m just relieved that the meal is over, and I wonder if I’ll ever show my face there again.
That said, I want to take a moment to extend my sincerest apologies to the waitstaff who have ever had to deal with my family. Here’s my open letter to you, dear server:
Dear Overworked Server,
Wow, we made it through the meal—just barely. I know this wasn’t exactly what you imagined when you put on that apron at the start of your shift, so I’d like to express my heartfelt regrets for everything my family put you through tonight. Here’s my list of apologies:
- I’m sorry my child emptied the sugar packet holder. I tried to tidy it up, but it’s not easy once they’ve been slobbered on.
- I apologize for laughing when you mentioned the drink specials at the start. I know I looked like I could use a drink or ten, but trust me, it’s hard to enjoy a cocktail while managing two rambunctious kids. I promise to come back for that drink in about 18 years—or tonight if my baby monitor can reach that far!
- I’m sorry for the little accident I had when I laughed too hard. Even after a C-section, you’d be surprised what can happen!
- I apologize for bringing my own snacks for the kids and hogging a larger table when I know only one of us was ordering. I saw your kids’ menu, but my picky eaters wouldn’t touch anything on it. If you ever add pizza rolls or fruit snacks, let me know!
- I’m sorry the next table found jelly smeared all over their clothes after we left. I should have warned you to check the table thoroughly.
- I regret that my child decided to explore the cheese shaker in a rather unsanitary way. I was too distracted trying to prevent another mess from happening.
- I’m sorry my kid spent the whole meal glued to the iPad, blasting Caillou’s theme song. And honestly, I have no idea why he’s four and still bald or why his mom is just called “Mommy.”
- I’m sorry for the food explosion that awaited you under the highchair when we left. I promise we didn’t bring a piñata!
- I apologize for the “wall incident.” If you haven’t seen it yet, well… good luck.
- I’m sorry we scared off the table of adults next to us; they probably didn’t appreciate our chaos.
- I apologize for the death stare I shot you when you offered dessert. Moms can be experts at lip-reading, especially when it comes to dessert menus.
- I regret unbuttoning my pants at the table and forgetting to do up again when standing. I thought I could wear normal jeans for a change—big mistake!
In closing, I hope you treat yourself with the generous tip we left as a small token of appreciation for your patience and hard work. You truly earned every cent.
See you next week!
Warm regards,
A Grateful Parent
In summary, dining out with kids can be a challenging experience for both parents and restaurant staff alike. Acknowledging the chaos and expressing gratitude can go a long way in making the experience enjoyable for everyone involved. If you’re navigating the world of parenting, especially during challenging times, consider checking out resources like this one for support. Additionally, if you’re interested in home insemination, Make a Mom offers a comprehensive kit that can help. For detailed information on what to expect during your first IUI, this guide serves as an excellent resource.