Debate as family is kicked out of cafe due to screaming toddler

Going out to food with young kids in toe is no mean feat, that's for sure.

But a debate has sparked online after one family was asked to leave a cafe because their children were acting up.

Laura Edwards, from Australia, was in the cafe when the incident happened, and took to Facebook to criticise the Queensland spot for the way they handled the situation.

In response, the cafe said the kids were yelling and 'throwing things' for as long as 15 minutes before they were 'apologetically' asked to leave.

The family were asked to leave the Aussie cafe (Credit: Getty)

The kids were said to be aged between two and three years old.

"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," the woman told the publication.

Referencing the cafe staffer who asked the family to move on, she added: "He could have asked them if they needed any help or asked one of the parents to take the crying toddlers for a walk but he just kicked them out."

According to the Townsville Bulletin, Laura went on to record a video outside the front of the cafe in protest of what they'd just done.

The cafe has hit back at criticism online (Credit: Facebook/ Adele's Cafe)

However, the cafe's co-owner, Adrian Dall'oste, had his say, too.

He recalled it all begun after the kids were told they had to share gelato with each other.

What proceeded was allegedly a lengthy tantrum, which was disruptive to other customers.

Adrian also questioned why Laura was getting involved in the incident, suggesting she arrived after the family had been told to leave.

 "One of the children swiped decorations from the counter and threw a steel flask on the tile floor," he said.

"While leaving the children were screaming loudly, and the family sat outside at one of our tables.

The kids reportedly argued over gelato (Credit: Facebook/ Adele's Cafe)

"For approximately 15 minutes the children were crying and screaming, disturbing the other clientele trying to enjoy their meals and the ambience of the cafe."

The owner added that the noise was "constant and loud," leaving him with no choice but to suggest the mum and kids move on.

He said that when he asked the family to leave, he was "shouted at" by the kids' father, who told him it was "bad business".

"No, it's bad parenting," he's said to have replied.

Stances on what went down are clearly divided, seeing as Laura defiantly branded the whole ordeal 'absolutely disgusting' in her video.

The disturbance went on for 15 minutes, apparently (Credit: Getty)

 "It wasn’t a meltdown or tantrum, my kids make more noise than these kids do, it was just a grizzly kid needing some help to sort through his emotions at the time," she said in the clip.

"The parents were sitting down with them, they weren’t running riot.

"As the guy went back inside I went over to the family and I said, 'Excuse me, are you getting kicked out because your kid’s crying?'

"He said, 'Yeah, they just told us to leave because of it', and they seemed a bit shocked and upset and both kids at this stage, both of them were crying."

Laura says at this point she had an argument with the cafe, who told her the premises was "not a creche".

Reacting to the incident, readers of the original article certainly had some thoughts.

The owner was worried that other customers would be inconvenienced (Credit: Getty)

"Restaurants are not a playground or child minding service. If the kids act up, take them home," said one person, in agreement.

Whilst another wrote: "Toddlers and children don't want to sit at a cafe. Toddlers don't want to sit, period. Toddlers need and want to run, climb, swim, play. Buy takeaway or bring a picnic to the park. Ffs."

"I have nothing but sympathy for young families trying to go out!," said someone who disagreed with the cafe's decision.

"Yes, they can be annoying, but I have often tried - with some success - to distract unruly children with my sunglasses, or my dog (more effective), to take the pressure off. It usually works. People should try to be kind."

Featured image: Getty