Parents should pick up after their kids who make mess in restaurants

[LifeofI]

Do you think so?

I was in a restaurant today with my friend and her two year old, her child always eats about 4 chips then the rest she just throws the food around. When we were leaving a lady made a comment "aren't you going to clean that up" my friend didn't hear but i did and said no and she just tutted.

When i got home me and my partner had a discussion and he thinks the parents should clean up after their child as he has work as a waiter and said it is annoying but i'm on the fence about it. We have a very young baby who hasn't started eating solids so we are not at that stage.

What do you think?

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Of course you should clean up after yourself/your child!

[HumTiddlyTum]

I always clear up, as best I can, after my child. It's on no ones job description to get down on hands and knees to pick up half chewed chips.

[CooPie10]

Yes of course you give the floor a quick wipe. Isn't that setting a good example to your child. Bit filthy to just walk off after leaving food on the floor. Your Dh seems very sensible.

[caravanista]

Of course you should!

[VimFuego101]

Crumbs on the table, no. Drinks spilt or food dropped on the floor, yes, I'd clean it.

[dementedpixie]

I clear up the worst of it especially if there is stuff in the floor

[ScarletOverkill]

Your friend should have moved them so her child couldn't throw them. As she didn't she should have picked up the mess

[Ginmakesitallok]

Of course you should clean up after your child!! Or at least offer. Why do you think it is acceptable not to?

[Wolfiefan]

I don't let my kids throw food. Never have. Sorry.
If they drop a pea I don't ferret round on the floor to try and find it but I wouldn't be happy to leave a mess like you have described.

[FuzzyOwl]

Yes, of course you should. I even take a portable high chair tray out with me because my nine month old is messy.

[MissTessmacher]

Of course they should.

I was a few months ago in Byron when I saw two mums eat with their kids (who made an awful mess, table in a state, floor covered in food) just get up and leave it in that state.

Mucky mares.

[PiperChapstick]

Absolutely, it isn't service staff job to clean up after other people's kids.

I always clean up after DD and usually find that the staff come over and shoo me away anyway and say they'll do it, but I always insist

[SqueegyBeckinheim]

Pick up large items like chips, quick baby wipe around floor to get the rest, job done. Why wouldn't you do that?

[RainbowCake]

Of course you should make some kind of attempt to clear up after yourself!
9/10 if you ask a member of staff for a dustpan and brush they will tell you it's Ok and they will do it, but the thought will be very much appreciated.
This is from experience as a parent and a waitress.

[Rainshowers]

I always try and pick up what I can, get the big pieces and then run a wipe over the highchair.

Usually the waitress/waiter tells me not to worry as they're used to it. But I always apologise and at least try to leave it in a semi respectable state.

[FoxesSitOnBoxes]

There was a thread like this a couple of years ago where people who worked in restaurants said not to clean up completely or they won't know that the floor/table/high chair is dirty and won't clean it properly with the antibacterial stuff.
I tend to clear up 90% and leave a few crumbs so it still gets a proper clean afterwards but agree that no one should have to pick up DS's half chewed food from wherever he's thrown it

[Dotandethel]

I'd always clean up after my child. How rude and entitled not to.

[SauvignonBlanche]

Of course they should, it's extremely arrogant not to.

[ghostyslovesheep]

I always clean up - always - I never left dropped food on the floor or a mess on the table - I think you should encourage kids to be tidy and courteous in public by being so yourself

[NickiFury]

I always tried to but was always told not to by lovely staff usually.

[hedgehogsdontbite]

Not only do I clean up after my toddler, I clear up after myself too. All plates and glasses neatly stacked up ready for removal.

[DontBuyANewMumCashmere]

Tiny crumbs on floor or table no. Big chunks of food that could be stepped or slipped in yes.
I normally wipe down the highchair too at the end, they're often rank when I come to use them.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I think it is wrong to walk away, leaving lots of mess for the wait staff to clear up. Children can be messy eaters, and accidents do happen, but it is still good manners to try to clear up after them.

If you let your child throw food around, as your friend did, (presumably to keep them quiet whilst she ate) then you 100% should pick up after them!

[Paddingtonsmarmaladesandwiches]

Clean up every single time!

[ZanyMobster]

DS2 was always horrifically messy as a baby, he never threw anything ever though, he was just such a messy eater (still is at 8 yo, no idea why as DS1 is so clean and always has been, he's within reasonable limits now of course though).

We used to gather any food on the highchair/table and put it onto an empty plate then would ask for a dustpan and brush for the floor, the staff always said don't worry but we would always offer.