Crackdown on screaming children by Dee Why Grand shopping centre

[azureline**]

NOISY children have been banned from a Sydney shopping centre in a move that one parenting expert says reflects society's growing intolerance.

The Dee Why Grand on Sydney's northern beaches, which claims to cater for young families, has introduced its new policy following complaints about out-of-control children.

The notice from centre management reads: "Stop. Parents please be considerate of other customers using the food court. Screaming children will not be tolerated in the centre."

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/crackdown-on-screaming-children-by-dee-why-grand-shopping...

I wonder how far this will be taken? or is it not going to be enforced and the sign is just an attempt at placating shoppers?

[cherry*135]

customers complained about children "running amok" and "screaming" in the food court, near the centre's playground for children aged under five.

Are they in the playground or just near it?

I think it is fair enough with out of control children. Especially children running around inside malls. I noticed, more than ever, in the last school holidays in the mall and supermarkets small children just darting around, running along aisles etc (which is not good in a supermarket as they can run around a corner and smack into a trolley and hurt themselves).

Parents will call out to the kids and say stop running but the kids don't take any notice.

They may get parents not going to the food court, but more people without children (including the staff) using the food court if it isn't full of rowdy, out of control children...so no loss of patrons all up.

[fiestas*girl]

..

[azureline**]

I do think the article is misleading, the sign does not support the article?

[lakeland27]

I do think the article is misleading, the sign does not support the article?

look at the source. they do tend to make stuff up.

[cherry*135]

Here is another news story with quotes direct from centre manager.

Also mentions a child having a full on screaming tantrum in the play centre (screams could be heard all over the centre) and his Mum ignoring him.

Ms Mulcahy [centre manager] said the free play centre had been at the rear of the food court since the shopping centre's inception in 2010, and parents or guardians had to supervise their children in the centre.

But in the past year complaints about noise had risen, and children were also leaving the play centre to run through the food court.

"You've got coffee, hot soups, other hot food, you've got tables that are permanent fixtures. It's a safety issue as well," she said.

"As a shopping centre manager it is my job to provide a secure, safe and enjoyable experience for everybody, not just some people. Given this is a free facility, there is some due consideration for other people."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/screaming-children-not-tolerated-sydney-mall-takes-action-over-temper-tant...

[lurker17260]

I read the sign (not the article) as simply asking people to be considerate of others and keep their children under some sort of control.  Not too unreasonable?

I do find the further away I get from having small children around the more grating their noise is becoming.  It's hard sometimes when you are in the middle of parenting to realise what impact your children may be having on others.

[twinkles**stars]

the sign says nothing to suggest anyone will be asked to leave....imo just a gesture to keep those who complain happy? How does one define screaming? An excited child playing may scream in glee......we scream when excited not only when throwing a tantrum. Providing a play area = excited noicey children. 

[2106greencat]

Post #14 puts a different spin on things.

Kid's don't bother me, though at times I really feel for the parent!!

But in all honesty - food court or restaurant, no paying customer should have to tolerate that behaviour - kids running through the area and putting themselves in danger and others for that matter. Imagine the outcry if one of these little angles bumped a table and a knife fell off and went through their foot. ... It could happen lol

[icyfroth]

I agree with Hawk.

I can't imagine anyone complaining about the noise of children at play, but some parents let their kids run amock.

In and out of tables, up and down pathways, in front of people, without a word of constraint. 

[purple_haize]

I agree with Hawk.

I can't imagine anyone complaining about the noise of children at play, but some parents let their kids run amock.

In and out of tables, up and down pathways, in front of people, without a word of constraint. 

ditto.