We had the opportunity to dine at our favorite sushi restaurant the other night sans the grandchildren, and were really looking forward to a fine dining experience. Sadly, thanks to some other restaurant goers children, our dining experience was far from fine or enjoyable. A large table of thirty to forty somethings proceeded to completely ignore the fact that their three children were literally jumping off the chairs, wrestling on the floor, and shrieking at the top of their healthy little lungs. How the poor wait staff were able to do their jobs without tripping over these children is anyones’ guess. As a mom and now grandma, the fear of something hot being accidentally spilled on the children kept me in knots the entire time. It is no wonder that several restaurants have gone to a “no children allowed” atmosphere. The problem though does not lie with the children. Children will be children. The parents who fail to take control of the situation and stop it before it gets out of hand are the real problem. Teaching children to have manners in public places isn’t stifling them; it’s teaching them to be courteous and considerate human beings.