Page 24 | Children on Ipads in restaurants

MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned · 05/02/2024 11:44

doilooklikeicare · 05/02/2024 11:29

@Somersetlady I'm such a wonderful parent, I've posted on MN to tell you I am......

Self praise is no recommendation!

I was thinking the same about the posters who are eager to tell us all how they simply must use screens at dinner because they're such amazing parents all the rest of the time and their children are so exhausted from their exotic, outdoorsy activities... Outside of MN I haven't seen much evidence that the people who have their children on screens throughout meals are massively attentive the rest of the time, I'd say the correlation very much goes the other way.

Legoninjago1 · 05/02/2024 11:40

fonfusedm · 05/02/2024 11:09

@Legoninjago1 there won’t be a response! Of course this could just be a snapshot…

Well, having had at least 3 hours of 'me time' in the sun next to the pool, whilst her 6 and 9 yr olds are presumably interacting with someone else, they'll have plenty to chat about over dinner!

Original poster

Somersetlady · 05/02/2024 11:35

CreateHope · 05/02/2024 09:35

@Somersetlady youre absolutely right to be concerned but as you can see you’re in a minority. There are of course lots of other ways to keep kids entertained - but plug ‘em in and keep ‘em quiet is the order of the day. It’s very sad.

My dad and I were chatting about it and he said it was the same for smoking he smoked from 12 and no one realised how damaging it was until decades later.

Can’t imagine anyone offering their -2 year old a fav nowadays can we?

OP posts:

Sceptical123 · 05/02/2024 11:35

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The fact you’ve asked ‘When did everything become about ASD??’ leads me to assume you don’t have children or grandchildren with ASD, is that correct? It smacks of someone who perceives the diagnosis as one massive eye roll and most likely down to bad parenting as ‘there never used to be ASD/ADHD’ when I was at school! etc. I can’t even be bothered to go into that shit.

I’m certainly not making excuses for everyone and everything (hyperbole much?). I’m pointing out that parents who have chdn with ASD are primarily just trying to have a family meal in public like ever other family is allowed to do, and if they have to use a device to help their child sit at the table without being disruptive to others what the hell is the problem?! Surely that’s a good thing! If the child is wearing headphones or has the volume at a low setting, how is that any different from sitting next to a table where there are multiple people talking to one another - some adults behave far worse and don’t care who they disturb with their loud conversation, swearing and raucous laughter etc. That’s more acceptable?

It staggers me how ppl can admit to being so judgmental of others when they have no idea what the circumstances actually are. If the sole purpose is to prevent the children from impacting on others, that’s showing consideration, why would you or anyone else have a problem with that?

sleepyscientist · 05/02/2024 11:34

Me and DH enjoy a nice meal to DS it's just food (he will eat anything). We have a rule of no phone/ipad at the pool so lunch is his time to chill and message friends. I'm currently eating my lunch surfing Mumsnet

Original poster

Somersetlady · 05/02/2024 11:32

This reply has been deleted

The OP has privacy concerns, so we've agreed to take this down now.

Quality time is totally irrelevant? The question is about allowing kids to eat WHILST on screens

OP posts:

Muchof · 05/02/2024 11:31

Persipan · 05/02/2024 08:29

Had you considered the possibility that their parents were concerned about disturbing other diners and brought a distraction? Plenty of people are quite happy to moan about 'badly-behaved' children in public, after all.

well the iPads are even more disturbing when the cartoons are being played and no headphones used, which usually seems to be the case.

WingingItSince1973 · 05/02/2024 11:30

Would it be less of an issue if they were reading a book or drawing? My DDs are older now and we're kids before iPads so we would take colouring and books with us. We spoke to our girls all the time. When they are young children get bored quickly and can disturb others. It's ok saying parents should train their children but in the real world children aren't little robots.

Original poster

Somersetlady · 05/02/2024 11:29

kirinm · 05/02/2024 11:07

Going by the OPs logic, why is colouring any better? We do both and actually colouring has enabled us to spend an adult length of time eating rather than rushing to get an overtired small child to eat on several occasions. But it's no different to a tablet if the supposed issue is not engaging with your child.

Show quote history

There are a number of differences if you care to research them?

OP posts:

doilooklikeicare · 05/02/2024 11:29

@Somersetlady I'm such a wonderful parent, I've posted on MN to tell you I am......

Self praise is no recommendation!

Sillysausagedog · 05/02/2024 11:28

You havent got kids have you? 😂

Eresrose · 05/02/2024 11:28

No one is 100% “on” with their child all of the time and that’s okay. We all choose different ways of allocating our energy. We have friends that use screens when out to eat but are patient and interactive with their children in ways that I am not.

I also think that parenting has been more emotionally intense in some ways than in the past. Everything is so child focused. Sometimes people need a break and that’s okay.

fonfusedm · 05/02/2024 11:27

Also @Somersetlady are you holidaying in the UAE? That's a massive no no on MNs! 😆

Helena7319 · 05/02/2024 11:18

This reply has been deleted

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selfishmeow · 05/02/2024 11:16

Somersetlady · 05/02/2024 08:27

Away in a resort. I am shocked by the number of children on ipads for the entire sitting of a meal. Breakfast lunch and dinner.

Buffet to fine dining.

From todlers upwards.

No social interaction with parents or staff and mindless eating whilst inhaling cartoons.

i understand that parents want a bit of a break but surely this is shockingly bad for the children?

Don't be shocked. The areas they fail as a parent according to you, rest assured they will make up in areas YOU fail as a parent.

Now does that feel nice and judgy?

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 05/02/2024 11:15

Legoninjago1 · 05/02/2024 08:31

So what?! Better that than having them run amok and ruin your lunch as happened to us the other day!

Or they could just learn how to behave properly.

mondaytosunday · 05/02/2024 11:15

My children don't (tablets weren't really around then), but my niece who is autistic often has her iPad with her. But regular kids - the odd occasion ok but no we talk, and it that boring but before the food arrives played card games like UNO.

Helena7319 · 05/02/2024 11:15

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SparklyOwls · 05/02/2024 11:14

My child had a playdate around, we had so many activities on offer but the friend started demanding, in my own house, for screens. I told him no, we don't have screens on in playdates here. He was soooo mad about it!

Kids are ruling the roost!

SparklyOwls · 05/02/2024 11:12

It's dreadful, I totally agree. I went on holiday last year and a 3 year old screaming because the iPad needed charging up. He had on offer everything in the hotel, lots of lovely activities. But sat screaming for ages. So sad.

kirinm · 05/02/2024 11:10

RatatouillePie · 05/02/2024 09:04

I'm actually quite horrified by the 44% of people that think you are being unreasonable!

If a child cannot behave at a meal table in a restaurant, then either teach them to behave or don't take them out for a meal - get a babysitter!

My 3 kids have been taught to sit and behave at the meal table, to talk about things, and if they get bored then a pen and paper to draw something in the restaurant. Some restaurants even have colouring in.

It's just lazy parenting to sit your child on a screen at a meal table.

(And yes, before someone starts the "my child is autistic" speech, autism was around for a long time before screens. My autistic child manages just fine in a restaurant as long as I keep him occupied and talk to him. I won't be taking him to a fine dine restaurant though!)

How is colouring in any different? You're still ignoring your child.

fonfusedm · 05/02/2024 11:10

Don’t forget to add that you have a cracking sense of humor ….

😆

fonfusedm · 05/02/2024 11:09

@Legoninjago1 there won’t be a response! Of course this could just be a snapshot…

Original poster

Somersetlady · 05/02/2024 11:09

notanothernana · 05/02/2024 09:15

What on earth did older parents do? Take colouring, card games or get a babysitter, that's what. The latter is what my parents did, the former what I did. When I was young and at Pontins the kids sat together in a SEPARATE ROOM and away from the adults when eating!!

On balance I think it's wonderful that young kids are with their adults, but they should be involved IMO - like games or drawing and not on screens.

The kids room seems like a great idea! At least they are interacting with other children!

OP posts:

kirinm · 05/02/2024 11:07

Heatherbell1978 · 05/02/2024 08:50

I'm on the fence about it. We went to a Turkey AI this year and were quite shocked that so many kids had them for the whole meal. Ours are 6 and 9 and we would often take them with us but usually as a last resort if we wanted a glass of wine in peace after the meal. But maybe that makes us just as bad? We do try do take colouring with us to meals instead though and that keeps the kids happy.

Going by the OPs logic, why is colouring any better? We do both and actually colouring has enabled us to spend an adult length of time eating rather than rushing to get an overtired small child to eat on several occasions. But it's no different to a tablet if the supposed issue is not engaging with your child.