So I walked into a large high end grocery store for lunch today, one of those places with salad and prepared food bars. I get my food, check out, and walk into the cafe courtyard area to find a table. There are dozens of folks enjoying their meal, so I walk through looking for a spot.

There, in the middle of everything is a mother with a couple of kids. As I draw closer scanning for a table, I can see the mom is occupied with something. I'm not exactly sure what it is until I get closer, and then I can't believe what I'm seeing. She has a third child, an infant, and she is changing his or her diaper, right there, in the middle of the cafe, on the table. A table surrounded by other diners, and where someone else will soon eat after she leaves.

Looking at the mom in question, this is not ignorance, this is arrogance. This is a high end market in an expensive neighborhood. Based on her appearance, she clearly knows better, but her sense of entitlement has simply run amuck. Unbelievable, I thought.

When I returned to work I shared my experience with a co-worker, thinking she too, would be shocked. Nope. She had worked in a chain restaurant several years ago, and this would apparently happen periodically. What I thought was unique, brash, and stunning, is apparently closer to commonplace. So now, it's just sad. Terribly, disappointly sad.

Everyone should be excited about having an opportunity to share in the sight, aroma, and bacteria from her baby's dirty diaper during their lunch hour, in her view. How much fun!

Airplane tray tables. Seen it.

there's no way i would have been able to keep my mouth shut on this one. People like that need to be called on their bullshit.

quote:

Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:
there's no way i would have been able to keep my mouth shut on this one. People like that need to be called on their bullshit.

Lord, maybe you and I are twins who were separated at birth! I would have told her how inappropriate that is - absolutely would have said it. If she responded with hostility, I would not be surprised - the hostility would reveal that she DOES KNOW BETTER than to do something as egregious as that!

She is a low-life - doesn't matter what her financial worth is - she's a low-life.

just Where in RVA did this occur so I know to avoid? Probably Glen Allen or Innsbrook area?

So, what is your solution?
This woman is juggling (trying to herd) several toddlers and then the infant gets a full diaper... have you ever had to deal with this?

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
So, what is your solution?
This woman is juggling (trying to herd) several toddlers and then the infant gets a full diaper... have you ever had to deal with this?

I have a shiny new nickel that I'm willing to bet, this high end store has a diaper changing station in the restroom.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
So, what is your solution?
This woman is juggling (trying to herd) several toddlers and then the infant gets a full diaper... have you ever had to deal with this?

Somehow the parents of most civilized people used to be able to cope with this issue without exposing their spawn's shit-covered giblets on a dining area table in a public venue.

If she can't manage riding herd on several toddlers and an infant maybe she should hire a babysitter for the afternoon, call grandma to watch the kids, bring a friend shopping with her, or (I know this sounds heartless) stay home.

With all three of my kids we changed one diaper in a restaurant. They had no changing tables and we changed it on the booth seat, other than that I would never change a diaper anywhere other then a changing table.

People and their kids just kill me. When my kids were little, if they disturbed someone I'd take them outside. Go to a restaurant now, people will let their damn crotch goblins raise immortal hell and disturb anyone and everyone nearby with no regard towards anyone else.
Last movie I went to a couple had their infant spawn in there and of course it cried. Babies do that. I get that. But they just sat there and let it cry and to hell with anyone else.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
So, what is your solution?
This woman is juggling (trying to herd) several toddlers and then the infant gets a full diaper... have you ever had to deal with this?

If she's incapable of making it to the bathroom, how about the floor in a corner or such?

Exactly right. She should have used the floor,

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
So, what is your solution?
This woman is juggling (trying to herd) several toddlers and then the infant gets a full diaper... have you ever had to deal with this?

Almost on a daily basis and have never changed a kid on a feeding table. I take it to the bathroom if they have no changing table it is out to the back of the SUV.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
So, what is your solution?
This woman is juggling (trying to herd) several toddlers and then the infant gets a full diaper... have you ever had to deal with this?

Oh, I don't know, how about the frozen foods section? Maybe the bakery?

Her children's needs are her problem, not ours. But she makes them ours when she chooses, and the operative word is chooses, to expose us to her unacceptable behavior and its consequences. If it required that she pack up her kids and find a suitable place, then that's what she needs to do. Sorry if it's inconvenient, no actually I'm not sorry. If she can't manage 3 children in public, then don't bring them out in public, or better yet, don't have them at all. Perhaps this is the tip of the iceberg, and evidence that she may not be a fit mother at all. This woman is simply lazy. She couldn't be bothered with doing what she knew was the right thing for the well being of everyone including her children.

I would have called her on it in a second had I not been wearing a Polo shirt with a company logo plastered on it. What I wanted to do was take a photo and post it anywhere and everywhere. I have no doubt she would find defenders, but my hope is they would be overwhelmed with public shame. Shame can be powerful, and society has become reluctant to use it.

quote:

Originally posted by CQB60:
just Where in RVA did this occur so I know to avoid? Probably Glen Allen or Innsbrook area?

Midlothian, sadly. I would expect it in the SHort Pump area.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
So, what is your solution?
This woman is juggling (trying to herd) several toddlers and then the infant gets a full diaper... have you ever had to deal with this?

Yes, I have.

But changing a diaper on an eating table is just plain gross and unacceptable.

I dearly loved my kids and I dearly love my grandkids, but hey that is just plain wrong. Anybody who does not know it is wrong has a huge problem.
They just do not care...that is a typical attitude today, me first to hell with you.

quote:

Originally posted by Otto Pilot:
Airplane tray tables. Seen it.

Since you brought it up, where else on a commercial plane would you suggest? I can't see doing it in the bathroom with no space. I'm thankful, however, that I've never seen such an incident.

As for the rest, yeah, I'm surprised no one just stared at the mother until she ups and leaves.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
So, what is your solution?
This woman is juggling (trying to herd) several toddlers and then the infant gets a full diaper... have you ever had to deal with this?

Let me pose a question for you. So, you find her behavior acceptable?