When it comes to kids acting out in public spaces, when is it OK to say, "Enough is enough"? A café owner in Australia was under fire recently for kicking out a family after the family's children reportedly threw a minutes-long tantrum. But in a surprising twist, people are taking the owner's side.
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An onlooker called the owner's actions "disgusting"
Mom Laura Edwards recorded the confrontation between the parents and the owner of the café, Adrian Dalloste. "Adele’s Cafe — do not support," she said in the video. "Absolutely disgusting. Don’t support this business."
"It is sad and shows we have a long way to go from children being seen and not heard and understanding the research into the brain development of children," she said, speaking to the Daily Mail.
Edwards didn't necessarily have the whole story
Dalloste told the Daily Mail that the kids were fighting over having to share a single scoop of ice cream, which absolutely happens. But for him, it was their behavior that caused concern.
"The older child showed his unhappiness by clearing our shelf off with all our shells and items on the counter," he told the outlet.
He went on to say that the parents took the kids outside, where the tantrum continued for 15 minutes before he asked them to leave.
His request didn't go over well
According to Dalloste, "The mother appeared shocked. The father told me it was bad business, and I told him, no, it is bad parenting," he said. "This is the first time in eight and a half years that I have needed to ask someone to leave. I don't like to do it, but it was loud, the older one was absolutely screeching."
He also couldn't understand why Edwards was getting involved in the confrontation.
"I think sometimes you do get looked down upon when having kids, especially if they're having tantrums and stuff, but their brains aren't fully developed at that age, and they need help to process those emotions," she said.
Many people came to Dalloste's defense
According to the Daily Mail, many of the comments on Edwards' social media post actually supported Dalloste's position.
"Good on the business owner, I would have done the exact same thing. He has a duty to make sure everyone has an enjoyable experience. I have kids and when they were little, if they carried on like little brats I would have packed up and left out of the respect for others," one woman said.
"Responsible parents should either have taught said children how to behave and show respect for others or remove them from annoying others," another person said.
Dalloste also reported that the video had the opposite effect of Edwards' attempt to boycott, claiming the café had "double sales" the day after the incident.
