Kids policy needs to grow up

THE baby was hot, cranky and tired. And very, very loud

- SUSAN LEE

Her piercing wails could be heard across the busy café, as could her mum's increasingly frantic attempts to quieten her.

Also in evidence was a great deal of tutting by those having their toasties and cups of tea disturbed.

Empathy, unlike the scones, was in short supply here and while we Brits are known for many positive things forming an orderly queue, polite chat about the weather - we are not on the whole given to tolerance when it comes to kids.

Don't get me wrong, we love our own little treasures. Mostly.

The days when we sent them up chimneys to work are long gone. We understand better than previous generations about the importance of nurturing and teaching them. But how children in general are valued in our wider society and by those in charge can be a whole different kettle of Lego.