There's absolutely nothing wrong with iPad at the table at a restaurant after a child centric day

It makes me feel a bit sad to see it, but I don't care unless they had the volume up, that's not OK.

I wouldn't do it. But it's none of my business what anyone else does so just crack on and don't worry about stranger's opinions

Better than them running around or disturbing everyone else tbh

These children are much too young to depend on Ipads for entertainment. They had a full day of activities, and should have been winding down for a bath and a good nights sleep.
They are also too young to be expected to behave like older children at table. If you wanted a quiet meal, you should have arranged to have your own meal separately.

Reading some of these posts.

If you so much as walk past and glance at a DC whilst they're on a mobile device of any type you're accused of being "judge judgerpants",
don't even have to open your mouth, you could be mearly looking at what they're watching, by which I suppose you could be accused of being nosey at most, but no you're a "judge judgerpants".

IMO, If the person walking by hasn't spoken to you, slated you off or made a passing comment directly to you, when posting these types of post surely there's only one person doing the judging.

Absolutely!

What happened to just sitting, talking etc. I know anyone under 35 hates this expression but we all managed it back in the day as children of the 70s (and yes we did go out to restaurants and on holiday).

Our dc school uses iPads to teach a lot of things. Not saying I love it but it isn’t true to say it can’t be educational. For me the issue is more about lack of cognitive resourcefulness.

Absolute non issue. Especially with headphones.

Children can be just as much in their own world if they are reading a book or colouring.

There's no moral high ground for anyone in the hell that is TGIs tbf 🤣

Ignore the judgement. These people don’t know you. Half of them probably ignore their kids for the majority of the day which is why they can’t understand why you’d need 1hrs peace.

As a fellow diner, I’d also rather your kids watched something quietly than run around the restaurant yelling. No need for the emphasis on educational either. Who gives a shit if they’re watching Bluey or Blue Peter?

Also to the PP who said it didn’t happen in the 70s, well of course not, there were no iPads. However, for many 70’s. And 80’s kids, benign neglect was common place. The kids would have probably been shoved in a back room with a packet of crisps, the car or even left at home with a bored teen or a neighbour whilst their parents were out.

This.

You do you but I don’t like screens in restaurants. It’s not teaching children how to behave appropriately and the number of families you see just not engaging with each other is really sad. I’d never say anything to someone about it if that’s what’s happened to you but I do wish people would engage more consciously with what they’re doing & the long term messages they’re sending when they instantly pass their bored / unhappy / frustrated / loud dc a screen.

I certainly wouldn’t do it but I wouldn’t care that you did as long as it wasn’t making a noise

I hate all these ‘well it didn’t happen in my day’ people. 🙄🙄🙄 Bore off

@moomoomouseey I think this is perfectly fine and no one else’s goddamn business, it sounds like you had a lovely day and have happy well rounded children.

I don't like to see any tablets/phones at a table when your eating this is adults and children.

It's a time to chat, relax and socialise and enjoy food etc if that's what you want to do you do you.

But I do know that is a lot of people's go to, to get some 'peace' I find it sad

I absolutely hate seeing kids glued to iPads, YABU. It is good for them to be a bit bored and learn to properly socialise at the dinner table - they don’t need the constant dopamine hits from various games, TV shows etc. It has been proven that it negatively affects their developing brains.

DD’s generation of 00s kids managed perfectly well without screen time whilst out and about so why can’t yours? There seems to be a whole new generation of kids who cannot cope without constant entertainment - the iPads seem to be a big factor in this.

To all of the parents saying it is the same thing as kids colouring in or reading a book, you could not be more wrong and need to educate yourselves.

As long as I couldn't hear it I probably wouldn't even notice what someone on another table was doing. And wouldn't have any opinion if I did see it.

But we don't give our DDs (2 & 5) iPads ever, and they don't play on our phones, so it's not something I'd do.

All moral high ground lost if you have a non-muted device without headphones in public, at any age.

Absolutely

Bex268 · Today 10:28
Well lots of perfect parents, loads - wow, so many of you are bloody awesome. I bet you’ve all got tonnes of awards (printed off your own computer) congratulating you on your perfectness 🙄.

It seems the judgement comes from both sides.
Countless studies available on this subject, everyone can make their own decisions, if they care to.

I hate to see kids on Ipads at tables. I wouldn't say anything but I'd definitely be sliently judging you.

Someone had a go at me in TGI Fridays over this, said it was too loud. Funny thing was he had to shout it pretty much so he could be heard over the loud music and happy birthday singing. Think he was annoyed at the DC laughing loudly at what they were watching rather than the iPad as no way he could have possibly heard that, plus they had subtitles on so didn't need it on really loud.

I just pretended I couldn't see or hear him stood next to our table blathering on and carried on chatting 🤣

Exactly! And it's not like the children have the bloody thing all the way through the time the family is sitting there - all through eating FFS! They clearly just have it afterwards, whilst the parents relax. To occupy them, to stop them being bored, and to stop them annoying other people!

I really can't see the difference in a child entertaining themselves by reading a book or drawing, and mooching about on an ipad. It's 2024 people, not the fookin' 1960s! 😆