Children on Ipads in restaurants

Oh how delightful!

Yes. This just doesn't happen. This insistence of a unilateral acceptance of children behaving poorly anywhere and everywhere in Italy. It doesn't happen. It's very rare I see children sat looking at phones or tablets when I'm overseas. Nobody has any issue at all with children being children, but there's definitely an expectation (which is met) of good behaviour. Though, granted it is much more of a universal effort to entertain children than being solely down to the parents.

And somewhere popular with holiday makers would make it, oh yes a tourist destination. Given that British people are not the start and end of holiday makers.

I’d much rather this than kids running around, I have seen what’s left behind after a child is scalded by hot food and full thickness burns are not something anyone should experience

It's interesting that most of the swearing, name calling and insults, come from one side of the argument

No, it's an interaction between two people. We talk about which bits to colour in, which colours etc... and often colour in together.

It's nothing like leaving a kid to become a screen zombie!

I'm sure your DS is lovely and he's obviously fascinating to you, as all kids should be to their parents. However if he came over to our table in a restaurant during a meal, I'd expect you to come and get him whether my kids had iPads or not.

I think you need to speak someone. You sound a bit distressed and very anxious. Glad I’m not you with that way of thinking. Do you judge everyone like this, over weight people, people with addictions etc?

My kids regularly tell adults that there is a "no screens at the table" rule... including their own dad and grandparents.

*covered

@ColleenDonaghy I'm not sure OP has co reed herself in glory but taking over three hours out of her day, to argue with people on MN, instead of spending time interacting with her children, whilst judging other parents, that are not interacting with their children.

Just because she wants to interact during mealtimes, and ignore them all morning/afternoon, doesn't mean she is a better parent. Or she's shipped them off to a holiday club, whereas others are interacting with them all morning/afternoon.

She has posted several times that she doesn't live in the UK and her children aren't in school this week.

You don't cover yourself in glory by a) forgetting there's a big world out there b) not RTFT or even the OP's responses while slagging her off for not answering a stupid question and c) using Karen as an insult.

Didn’t notice that about the OP. Thanks for the update!
parents on the phone is just as bad. Going out is a social thing, surely? For everyone. I disagree with kids on devices.

But, it’s up to individual families, of course. I know that my kid will need to use devices at school & be computer literate. And he watches TV. But he has basic social skills.

You do realise that OP has spent the past more than three hours doing exactly what you're agreeing with her about, being on tech, arguing on MN?

Oh, it's ok because she's ignoring her kids whilst she does so.....

I never allowed this, but I had one easygoing, well-behaved child who had been used to eating in restaurants regularly from a very young age.

Totally agree, OP. We were away recently, and my DS is a great one for chatting. Every child he approached was in j an I-Pad / tablet / phone daze & not one of them could even say hello (to me or him). It was shocking. And the parents were on their phones, as well. Same on the train there, too.

DS got friendly with all of the older folk in the hotel & even joined in the dancing with them when the live band came on. He was first in the dance floor! He’s lively & chatty, loves meeting new people. He can be a handful, too. But it would be a huge disservice to him to shove a device on his face…

And spend all her quality time with her DC doing so........ whilst judging others....

Why can't you f'in weirdos leave other people alone. Its so bizarre. You're on holiday and this is what you choose to wind yourself up about?

@MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned OP has posted 47 times within 210 minutes, an average of every 4.45 minutes, hardly mother of the year interacting with her children is she? Arguing on SM, for that length of time and that often.

Then comments on others not interacting over an hours mealtime.

The hypocrisy is unreal, she's made a laughing stock of herself to be honest.

Adults are often also seen consuming alcohol, and even smoking (outside).

Doesn't mean toddlers need to be doing the same.

Not your business stop judging

The notion that it is just a snapshot and not representative of the rest of the time is a bit sketchy.

@MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned how would you know? Also OP doesn't use screens at dinner, but spent a looong time on MN therefore not interacting with her children, so I'm not sure your argument is a good one. In fact I'd say it's very flawed .

Well you can't be having a great time if you've had time to notice this at every meal. Is your own company that bad?

How does this impact your life? What concern is it of yours?

Has it ever crossed your mind that some of these children may have SEN? That parents of these children would never have a holiday or be able to eat out without the help of these ipads.

Live your life and keep your judgement to yourself.

I agree with you OP. I don’t believe that most children most of the time are done any favours by tablets and phones used as babysitters.

And yeah, I’m going to say it, I do think it’s better parenting to encourage a child to sit at a table without electronics, talk and learn to socialise during a meal. Paper and pencils work well as everybody can take an interest, join in drawing etc, play consequences etc. I’m not claiming to be a perfect parent (far from it), but that one’s a no-brainer.