Reader Weston Smith said he would like to sit in a "children" section of a restaurant, "along the lines of the old smoking or nonsmoking sections. ... I would much rather be segregated to a children-accepted area than to feel like I have shattered the 'cone of silence' for those who are not dining with young ones and feeling their wrath of discontent because I chose to take my whole family out to dinner."

For reader Marge Aten, the solution is even simpler: "Next time you are out with your family, think about the others around you. They are trying to enjoy their dinner, also. The most important thing you can do for your children is teach them manners and how to behave in public — something not done much these days."

Finally, Bulkley would like to see everyone — diners with kids, diners without kids, diners who sometimes bring kids but don't have theirs along that night — "be a little more patient with each other. People should give each other a break and allow other people a little more space, and especially allow children a little room to grow and develop, and maybe even a little more love for those kids.

"It's for the greater good. Anytime you make even a little sacrifice or you're a little bit kinder, that helps everyone."