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

Did they actually judge or is this one of those 'the world is picking on me and someone walking past gives me issues'

Absolutely fine. People get judgey for the weirdest reasons 🙄
I'm sorry you have been made to feel bad; a lot of Mumsnetters seem to have really thick skin I think, and don't let stuff like this bother them, but being judged / shamed in public would really upset me.

YANBU OP.

According to mumsnet it seems the absolute worst thing you could ever do if let your child look at a screen in public.

Mine are still very little but I will stop it being allowed once they are old enough to actually engage while sitting at the table / have the ability to emotionally regulate re: being made to sit still.

I have recently been on holiday and some days my toddler could sit at dinner playing with a couple of toys, others we used a few cartoons on Netflix to stop them trying to get up / escape / play in the road etc.

I think people are massively judgemental about it, when only really having a snapshot of the families day.

Absolutely fine. I have done and will do the same in the future.

As long as the sound is off/head phones are being used. I couldn’t care less!

We don't do it but I don't judge others who do.

This reminds me of when my son was a newborn. I went out for a walk and he finally went to sleep so I put my earphones in to listen to a podcast. Within minutes, a woman walked over to tell me I should be engaging with my baby, not listening to music. I wish I'd told her to fuck off.

What did they say to you? I can’t imagine commenting on someone’s parenting in public. If they were berating you then they are the rude ones.

We don’t use iPads at a restaurant but I don’t care at all what others do (unless there aren’t headphone!!), I can’t imagine making a comment about it.

So how did our parents manage when we were todders, if they 'can't sit there'? Of course they can, it's just easier for you not to make them.

I wouldn’t comment but I don’t think it’s necessary. We went on holiday and it was everywhere tiny children staring at screens in restaurants. No interaction and not hearing anything going on around them.
One day we were sat at a table with 3 little children on one side colouring and what my teen calls an iPad kid on the other table and the difference was so stark.
Talk about your day, colour, do you want more juice v just plonking it in front of them. If they are so overtired then don’t go for a late evening meal.
It’s something that’s really changed. 10 yrs ago at same destination all kids menus came with crayons or bendy sticks to play with at table. These are child friendly restaurants so servers will interact with kids, lots to see and normal family chatter noise absolutely fine.

Very bad table manners

Perfectly fine - provided they're using headphones, which they were.

If they hadn't been using headphones it would have been different, because that impacts on other people in the restaurant, but they're harming nobody by sitting quietly relaxing with some entertainment in a restaurant after a long day.

As long as they have headphones on it’s fine. Any sound - completely unacceptable

Thing is - for small children, they can’t just sit there bored.

Mine can’t anyway - they’d be trying to escape and find something interesting to do.

Slightly older children maybe, but not a toddler!

I think it's absolutely fine. Everyone's happy. Except for the perfect parents of MN who have perfectly behaved kids who are entertained for hours with a colouring book.

Never ok at the table no - but I don’t care what you do as long at the sound is off and I can’t see the screen. The screen flickering and jumping about is as irritating as the noise.

After an action packed day, it's nice to have a relaxing dinner and actually chat to your partner! So an iPad is ok. You've tried colouring and other things. Judgemental people are expecting 2 yr olds to act like 10 yr olds!

How old are they by the way, you've given two alternatives!

It never happened then because iPads didn't exist. If they did, I'm sure lots of people would have done the same as op.

Childish too. Who speaks like that in real life. Judgy judgerpants 🙄

Pre child I might have thought negatively about it. Now I know we have to what to do what gets us through! Once they have eaten ipads are fine- don't worry about others!

I don’t think you need iPads at restaurants especially if you’ve had a day filled with stimulation for them. I haven’t ever allowed mine to have screens in restaurants but I don’t judge others for it.

They wouldn't have known how you spent your day but should mind their own business.

Personally I'd have been grateful that your children were seated, instead of running around, and using their devices with headphones.

Ignore them, you know your children aren't getting all day screen time. Enjoy your holiday.

Your children, your choice.

Personally I wouldn’t use a iPad to entertain my children but that’s me and mine.

Absolutely nothing to do with anyone else.

So how do they learn to behave and deal with the feelings when they're stressed and bored if you placate with screens?

I just hope there was no volume on the devices as that is inexcusable

What do they say