Sydney shopping centre bans screaming children
A Sydney shopping centre has banned children from making excessive noise near the food court.
The Dee Why Grand on Sydney’s northern beaches posted a sign asking parents to be wary of letting their children make excessive noise.
The sign said: "Stop. Parents please be considerate of other customers using the food court. Screaming children will not be tolerated in the centre."
It comes after a number of complaints were made by both customers and workers at the centre.
They say they get a large number of children unsupervised left there.
The sign has outraged parenting groups, parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson told the Manly Daily that it puts undue pressure on parents.
"There is a such a lack of empathy for parents - there is so much judgment around parents who are, for the most part, doing their best," he said.
He said it shows society is becoming increasing intolerant of young children.
"Anyone who has kids knows it's far more uncomfortable hearing your own child scream than hearing someone else's child scream," he said.
Shopping Centre Manager Brenda Mulcahy was unapologetic when asked about it by 7News.
“Having three-year-old and four-year-old running around food court tables when there are elderly people with walkers, with walking sticks trying to enjoy their coffee and a couple of donuts, it's not a good mix,” she said.
She said sometimes the noise was so bad that she could hear children in her office, which was "miles away".
What do you think? Do you support a ban on screaming children at shopping centres?
