Every week, my family and I make a beloved tradition out of our Costco runs. It’s usually my husband, our energetic 4-year-old, and me, wandering through the towering aisles, admiring everything from jewelry and flat-screen TVs to bulk chicken bites—even though we somehow end up leaving with a camping tent instead.
We sample snacks along the way and wind down with a stop at the food court, where an $8.50 pizza meal seems to justify the inevitable $200+ shopping spree. It’s chaotic, yes, but also fun, spontaneous, and family-oriented.
🎥 The TikTok That Sparked a Storm
Recently, a TikTok mom named Tori (@thatmomtori) shared her frustration with this very chaos. In a video filmed while she was eating at the Costco food court, she called out the “constant screaming” of kids nearby and urged fellow parents to leave young children at home for a more peaceful outing.
Tori’s plea struck a nerve—both in support and opposition.
🗣️ Divided Reactions Online
Some commenters agreed, sympathizing with the desire for a more peaceful shopping and dining experience. Others pushed back, pointing out that Costco isn’t exactly a fine-dining restaurant and is, by design, a family-friendly space.
Critics also noted the impracticality of leaving kids at home, especially for single parents or families where both adults work full-time. For many, the Costco trip is the family time.
👨👩👧👦 Reframing the Conversation
Tori’s video sparked an important debate: What should the expectations be for families in public spaces? Is it realistic—or fair—to expect quiet environments in kid-popular places? Or should we embrace the messiness of parenting in real life?
Rather than enforcing exclusion, maybe the better approach is understanding. Children are part of society, and learning how to behave in public spaces—yes, sometimes noisily—is part of growing up.
💛 The Bigger Picture: Creating Family-Friendly Spaces
In a culture that often stigmatizes the presence of kids in everyday settings, moments like this remind us to extend grace, patience, and perspective. Parenting isn’t always neat or quiet, but that doesn’t mean families don’t deserve to take up space—whether in a toy aisle or a food court.
So next time you hear a child laughing (or even shrieking) in Costco, take a breath and remember: this is what life sounds like.
