'Babies heads are hard': Server gets tipped 40% after accidentally kicking a breakaway toddler on a busy night, chill mom proves to be down-to-earth

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jan 22, 2024 6:00 PM EST

Every server feels their stomach drop when they see a toddler seated in their section. Like any service industry member with PTSD, for a split second, they'll imagine the terrors of cleaning melted ice cream from the corners of the booth seats, Karenish mothers yelling at them for a side of ranch, and scrubbing the crayon scribbles off the tabletop. Although not all toddlers are living out their Terrible Two's in the restaurant, some unruly kids apparently need a quick kick in the rear to get their act together in public– Literally. 

In our next story, a waitress lives through every server's nightmare but miraculously came out on top. With a 40% tip in her pocket and a new mommy friend, u/VibingandThriving recalls the time that she accidentally kicked a woman's baby as it ran haplessly around the restaurant. Scroll for all the details of how a waitress heaved a sigh of relief when she encountered and extremely chill and down-to-earth mom in real life. 

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  • After this, here's another wholesome story of good people out in the world, except this time, we encounter our Good Samaritan at the gym. 

  • 01
    Yr/Serverlife. Posted by u/VibingandThriving 1 day ago I kicked a BABY I work at a Buffalo Bill's sports bar, yesterday was slammed. I'm walking past a table of 9 of feel something SLAM into my legs. Look down, a
    via VibingandThriving
  • 02
    MAYBE 1.5 year old is splayed out underneath me looking at me like I'm the antic rist and screaming. Thankfully the mom was like yeah, that's my fault I wasn't watching her. Anytime I walked past the table after that to take drink orders I'm referred to as "baby kicker" was definitely a first for me!
    via VibingandThriving
  • 03
    Also, babies heads are hard as Gave them some ice cream and chocolate and got a 40% tip. Good times all around.
    via VibingandThriving
  • 04
    backpackofcats 1 day ago Had a tall coworker with this crazy long stride. He was practically power walking through the dining room when a toddler suddenly stepped out of a booth. He punted that kid two booths over. He was horrified but the parents were also understanding.
    via backpackofcats
  • 05
    Nine years later and we're still friends so sometimes I like to say "hey, remember that time you kicked a baby?" in front of other people. 1.2k Reply Share VibingandThriving OP 1 day ago "He punted that kid"
    via VibingandThriving
  • 06
    lily_the_jellyfish. 23 hr. ago As a parent, sometimes the best learning experience comes from an outside force showing the kiddo that natural consequences do exist, and we aren't just trying to be the fun police. Bet that kid stayed in their seat next time.
    via lily_the_jellyfish
  • 07
    neverenoughmags. 17 hr. ago "Told ya' that'd hurt...." Me, probably 69 Reply Share ... Awkward ThePotato - 17 hr. ago My dad tells me that my sister realized not to climb out of her crib after the first time she fell out. For me, it took three falls to learn that. (I do actually agree with your sentiment, I was just a dumb toddler)
    via neverenoughmags
  • 08
    High ClassHate 18 hr. ago I did this!! We had huge trays and I walk super fast, couldn't really see under me. Took out a kid who decided to get up and run to the other side of the table at that moment. I felt awful because it hurt my knee so I know that kids head had to be aching. Family did not blame me one bit luckily. Also spilled a mimosa all over a newborn. Once again incredibly lucky the parents were amazing and laughed.
    via HighClassHate
  • 09
    jkrm66502- 13 hr. ago Baptism by and oj! 48 Reply Share JordanGdzilaSullivan 10 hr. ago I have a friend who dropped a Chili's eggroll on Adam Vinateri's infant son. We still bring it up a lot lol
    via jkrm66502
  • 10
    LeatherDaddy Longlegs 12 hr. ago I'm 6'1 and when I used to serve, there were so many near misses. I'm looking straight ahead with a tray full of food, your baby is not in my lower visual range. Keep your kid out the aisle 49 Reply Share MiddleParsley5660 14 hr. ago eee dying over here over this comment.
    via LeatherDaddyLonglegs
  • 11
    Basic Two_2279. 1 day ago Woah. Parents that actually take responsibility and realize sometimes they made a mistake in not keeping a close eye on their kiddo?!?! And tipped amazingly? Weird.
    via Basic_Two_2279
  • 12
    daemoss227 22 hr. ago I was at a Korean restaurant where the Bibimbap was served in heavy, scorching hot stone bowls. Lady was letting her kid roll around on the floor between tables, out of the line of sight of any servers, and i was terrified I was about to witness some final destination type . Luckily she marched the kid out to the car after about 10 minutes and nobody tripped over them.
    via daemoss227
  • 13
    ifthisisntnice00- 20 hr. ago I had a mom and kids sit at an uncleared table once. While trying to clear it with them sitting there, I accidentally dropped someone's half-eaten ice cream all over a little girls face. She got hysterical and they ended up getting up and leaving, but the mom apologized and acknowledged they should have waited to be seated (like the sign said!). I was shocked.
    via ifthisisntnice00
  • 14
    helen790 1 day ago The most shocking thing about this story is the parent apologizing. Reply Share 412 Vibingand Thriving OP 1 day ago My thought exactly! She apologized to ME for not watching the baby! I was shocked & so so appreciative
    via helen790
  • 15
    PorterJUA 1 day ago thats actually wild that the parent Apologized and didn't flip Sounds like some chill down to earth people for real. Baby kicker ee 86 Reply Share Vibingand Thriving OP 1 day ago I'll use that nickname proudly
    via PorterJUA
  • 16
    PyleanCow06. 1 day ago This is hilarious and I'm glad the parents were super cool! I was serving a party that got off the bus from the I nursing home and didn't see an old man's oxygen tank on the floor and kicked it. I felt so bad but he looked up at me and said, "you take my breath away!" And it was so cute and that was forever ago and I still remember it
    via PyleanCow06
  • 17
    Elephlump 1 day ago Babies are resilient. I'm more worried about your foot. 452 52 Reply Share Vibingand Thriving OP 1 day ago Honestly, may have a bruised shin
    via Elephlump
  • 18
    scsoutherngal 1 day ago Little ones on the loose scare me-not only can I accidentally run into and hurt them but I could also trip and fall and injure myself. At least you got a good tip.
    via scsoutherngal
  • 19
    BillGood4223 23 hr. ago My employees find it hilarious when I snap my fingers and tell kids running around to ho back to their tables. I tell them they can do the same and if there's any issue, I'll deal with it, but they never do. Probably afraid their tip will be effected which is understandable. But never be afraid to assert a bit of authority to protect the kids and yourself.
    via BilGood4223
  • 20
    4Ever2Thee 1 day ago Same thing happened to me once. It was a really busy night and I came out of the kitchen with a tray full of food and a tray stand in my other hand. A little kid ran out in front of me and I accidentally kicked him against the wall. He just fell down looking stunned then jumped up and ran away; I think he was more worried about getting in trouble. I didn't drop anything though, so it was a win all around.
    via 4Ever2Thee
  • 21
    RedFox457 22 hr. ago 40% tip for kicking a baby. Their intrusive thoughts lived vicariously thru your accident maybe 4 25 Reply Share Aromatic Note8944 19 hr. ago Lmfaooo
    via RedFox457
  • 22
    Active Flight_3338 - 23 hr. ago This is such a happy tale! As a mom I would have done the exact same thing. You're trying to work - you could have been hurt too from tripping over a kiddo on the floor that you couldn't see bc you were holding a tray. I always remind my kids of restaurant manner ahead of time (inside voice, stay seated, hands/arms to yourself, food stays on your plate, please/thank you, etc). I bring stuff to entertain them or just bust out an "I spy" or 20 questions game. And I
    via Active_Flight_3338
  • 23
    fknkaren 23 hr. ago Haha, not the first time I've seen someone kick a baby, but it is one of the first times I've seen a parent acknowledge that their kids are their problems, not ours.
    via fknkaren
  • 24
    dinglehopper 70 - 13 hr. ago And the moral of the story kids... Kick babies to get better tips
    via dinglehopper70
  • 25
    "And the moral of the story kids... Kick babies to get better tips "1
    via canva

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Babies tipped tips baby toddler server toddlers tip waiter tipping restaurant parenting server life waitress parent Reddit parents service industry
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