To think this woman shouldn’t have interfered in the restaurant?

Some right dicks on this thread.

🤣

Poundland Freud ⬅️Sweet Christ! That’s funny
I'm going to shameless steal that little gem

The thing is, there is nothing more distracting and annoying than disruption behind you. Be it in a cinema, restaurant, whatever, if someone is fidgeting or being noisy behind you when you can't see them it's 10x more annoying than if you can see them and keep an eye on them. I guess it's because your back feels vulnerable if you don't know if someone is going to hit you from behind.

"As long as you were dealing with it"

key words

😆😆

You don't know how she was feeling, so you don't know if you did or didn't ruin her evening.

Very situation dependent but if this had happened to me I would have politely but firmly asked the lady to please keep out of it and you'll be able to deal with his behaviour much more effectively.
Kids can be unpredictable and us parents don't always act perfectly when we are under pressure and feeling under the spotlight.

You're both being unreasonable. She shouldn't be commenting pointless statements.

But you're also unreasonable because a child friendly restaurant with a play area is still a restaurant. Running around the seating area is a hazard to staff and your child. The play area is for playing, the seating area is for sitting. You'd be the first to complain if your son bumped into a staff member and they spilt hot soup or something on him🤷🏽‍♀️.

Exactly. My mother would not take me to restaurants until I had reached the age where she could be sure that I would behave myself. As a result, when I was finally allowed to go, I regarded it as a tremendous treat and felt very grown up - and I wouldn't have thought of acting out in case I lost the privilege.

Totally agree. 👋👋👋👋👋

Our child sat down at 3 or was walked to the play area and they played there, if they ran around or was not sat down we left

They learn how to behave by the parents before they cause trouble not after, and I am saying this not at the op just normally

So your child was playing in the eating area instead of the play area. You're unreasonable.

Wow I think you're getting some really mean responses here Op. I'm curious as to how many currently have a 3 year old. Certainly not the ones who so helpfully made the groundbreaking suggestion that you simply tell him to stop! Yes because 3 year old are so rational...
I think the other person should have kept quiet and I'm sure you were doing your best, children can't learn how to behave when they're out if they're not given the opportunity, everyone has to start by learning somewhere

Yeah. YABU. Your DS was a nightmare on a night out. You love him. No one else did on that night. You weren't dealing with your son. If you were able to deal with him, you would have been seen to be in control or operating a strategy. But him swinging back and forth on a chair? Let him do that at home where he can crack his head open without complaint and then you can peacefully take him to hospital.

My ex dh also expected me to do all the parenting while he slept, ate, watched TV etc. Thankfully my 4dc only needed me to look at them in a certain way and they behaved. No shouting, smacking or bribery required.

Sounds like she ruined her own meal. What did she expect in a family restaurant with a soft play. Maybe if she wasn't interfering and screeching, maybe yorr wee boy would have been calmer.

You clearly were to blame. What you should have done is take duct tape and taped him to the chair and floor so not to ruin the lovely quiet meal everyone decided to go to in prime time at a combi pub and soft play. I often go to such establishments for a tranquil meal. YOU WOULD HAVE RUINED MY DAY

@pictoosh I'm sorry 🤦‍♀️!!

I missed it!

I've got a cold, so that's my defence for being stupid!

As you were!

Having kids is hard. It is very frustrating when your or friends are sitting chatting eating their meal and you need to get up and deal with your kids. I get it. However. As soon as my kid runs off in a restaurant he would be grabbed and unceremoniously plonked on my knee. There he would stay until he can show me he’s calm enough for another chance. Same with the chair swinging. I’ve had more years of this than most as my nearly 9 year old is autistic and has adhd and can still act like a toddler. If he is restless, excitable or overwhelmed I take him outside for a walk / play. If he is noisy and disturbing other people I take him outside too. There is no excuse for a child running around in a restaurant. You should’ve grabbed him and restrained him.
I’ve had many meals where I didn’t eat or ate cold food because of this, but sadly it needs to be done. You can’t remain in your seat eating and saying not to do something if the child isn’t listening.
as a parent myself it still annoys me when other peoples children don’t behave. I have to deal with my own children, I don’t need to listen to or put up with other peoples kids shrieking or charging about as well.

I was being sarcastic.
I agree with you.

This. I cannot believe the amount of harsh comments here! The child is 3 years old! If I wanted a peaceful meal out, I certainly wouldn't go to a restaurant with an indoor play area. 🤦‍♀️

I feel for you. Ive had some shitty meals out with a small Child. It’s embarrassing and stressful

it was a pub with play area so surely other diners are expecting small kids to be playing up

she shouldn’t have interfered

I don't think the woman was at fault. Your child and his antics caught her attention and she commented on it.
You must parent your child and if they're past that, from tiredness or whatever, you need to remove them as they spoil others' meals.

NO IT WON'T!

Eat your meal and look the other way!

Are you the sort of person who judges breast feeding mothers, moaning that you could see some flesh whilst staring at the woman feeding.

Look away, ignore, let the parent deal with it.