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Original poster

Children on phones/iPads in restaurabts

282 replies

Goldengirl123 · 27/10/2024 08:24

We have just got back from holiday and every night in restaurants. children of all ages were either looking at their phones or iPads the whole time. What’s happened to families sitting and having a conversation at meals times? I personally think it’s so wrong but maybe I am just being old fashioned

OP posts:
Lookslikemeemaw · 27/10/2024 08:31

Lazy lazy parenting and becoming the norm. Not sure how we expect our kids how to learn about social behaviour when we do this.
Saw a guy in Tesco with his kids, both on devices trailing around with him oblivious to anything and walking into people etc.
when are they supposed to learn even the boring life skills like buying groceries etc?

schmeler · 27/10/2024 08:31

If it was the norm to engage with the children at meals then the kids wouldn't even ask for screens. They do not give them screens in nursery or school so their kids will be eating without screens then so it can be done. It is due to them not wanting to engage or can't be bothered to engage.

And we wonder why kids' language and communication skills are poor now in the main!

frockandcrocs · 27/10/2024 08:30

ilovesooty · 27/10/2024 08:27

I couldn't care less what other people do - as long as the sound is off.

This- do I think it's weird? Yes. But it's none of my business.

curtaintwitcher78 · 27/10/2024 08:29

I'd say they could keep their kids occupied however they like if any of them had heard of earphones, but no, we all have to be subjected to their grating, high-pitched nonsense. Ruins a meal.
Put headphones on your kids. We do not want to hear it.

AgainandagainandagainSS · 27/10/2024 08:27

You’re not old fashioned. You are a decent parent.
Screen free family here - kids are young so they don’t need them. We talk, play card games, they can do a sticker book but they won’t ever get to look at a phone or iPad until they need them for school and that is a good 6 years away.

DelicateSoundOfEchos · 27/10/2024 08:27

I can't stand it. But it isn't just children. I see lots of couples barely uttering a word to each other as they sit scrolling on their phones.

It's quite sad.

I know parents will be along to claim it's the only way that children can be settled but for me if your kid needs a device at the table they're not ready to be in a restaurant and it's just lazy parenting so the parents can absolve themselves of the need to actually engage their children in conversation, learning, fun etc.

Edited to add that I'm quite old fashioned as I don't agree with any sort of devices at the dinner table.

ilovesooty · 27/10/2024 08:27

I couldn't care less what other people do - as long as the sound is off.