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Original poster

To think parents should bring babies to restaurants?

244 replies

BePoisedPlumViper · 27/10/2024 17:35

I get that parents want to enjoy dining out, but isn’t it inconsiderate for those of us looking for a peaceful meal?

Title meant to say SHOULDN’T

OP posts:
Ozanj · 27/10/2024 18:02

Morven7 · 27/10/2024 18:01

Don't go to Spain or Italy then!

Spanish and Italian parents don’t eat at restaurants routinely with babies and toddlers unless it is a very special occasion. My friends find it weird that parents would prioritise anything other than homemade food under 5.

Ozanj · 27/10/2024 18:01

Even in countries where children are welcome at restaurants you don’t tend to see them there as babies / toddlers unless it’s a very special occasion. Bringing babies and toddlers to restaurants as an everyday thing is a UK thing.

Morven7 · 27/10/2024 18:01

Don't go to Spain or Italy then!

SwingTheMonkey · 27/10/2024 18:00

BePoisedPlumViper · 27/10/2024 17:53

It’s mainly the noise and potential disruption. I totally understand that babies can’t help it, but when you’re paying for a nice meal and atmosphere, it can feel a bit frustrating if it’s interrupted by crying or fussing. It’s not about their presence - just more about the experience.

Show quote history

I agree in that I don’t want to sit in a restaurant with a very noisy baby or small child next to me. But that shouldn’t mean that babies or small children are banned from restaurants! Some people remove their child if it’s noisy - we did with all of ours. Not all children in restaurants will make a racket.

Thefaceofboe · 27/10/2024 17:58

I wouldn’t have dared bring either of my kids to a nice restaurant cos they were both total pests as babies (still are) so I don’t think you’re being unreasonable, however it wouldn’t bother me if other people did I’m just grateful I’m not the one dealing with them

SwingTheMonkey · 27/10/2024 17:57

I totally understand not wanting to hear babies and small children making a racket in any restaurant. When my kids were young, one of us would remove the noisy child until they’d calmed down so that we didn’t ruin anyone else’s experience and it’d be nice if everyone did that.

But what I don’t get is people objecting to a baby or small children in ‘fancy’ restaurants, even if they’re perfectly quiet. How does their presence affect you? Should parents only eat in a Hungry Horse if they’ve got the kids with them? I wouldn’t give you a thank you for pretentious tiny bits of food but some people like restaurants like that and like their kids to eat posh food too.

colourfullight · 27/10/2024 17:57

Why do you think you have more right to be there than a younger human?
Life is a journey remember.

Fisharenotfoods · 27/10/2024 17:55

I’m 90% ok with it my only stipulation on the 10% would be if paid £400 at a Michelin star for a taster menu that lasts hours it’s not really child friendly and would feel awful for the kid.

Radiatorvalves · 27/10/2024 17:54

Yes babies should be allowed…. But with the caveat that they are well behaved and the parents parent them. If they aren’t behaving they should be taken out. It can be hard work… speaking from experience.

Original poster
BePoisedPlumViper · 27/10/2024 17:53

SwingTheMonkey · 27/10/2024 17:48

What is it you object to op? Their very presence or their noise?

It’s mainly the noise and potential disruption. I totally understand that babies can’t help it, but when you’re paying for a nice meal and atmosphere, it can feel a bit frustrating if it’s interrupted by crying or fussing. It’s not about their presence - just more about the experience.

OP posts:
chocosprinkles · 27/10/2024 17:51

I find most babies are better behaved than adults.

YABU

BarbaraHoward · 27/10/2024 17:50

Depends on the restaurant. I was pretty unimpressed when we had two preschoolers and on a very very rare night out paid hundreds for a tasting menu in a tiny fine dining place near us, plus babysitter and babysitter's taxi, only for the table next to us to arrive with a pram. 😭

In a more typical restaurant it's fine as long as the baby is taken out if unsettled, we had ours out at Sunday lunch etc from the get go more or less.

swimsong · 27/10/2024 17:49

I ate a whole curry with a baby asleep on my lap under the table. People meeting us had no idea he was there.

SwingTheMonkey · 27/10/2024 17:48

What is it you object to op? Their very presence or their noise?

TheKhakiBiscuit · 27/10/2024 17:48

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Original poster
BePoisedPlumViper · 27/10/2024 17:47

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Mid-range to upscale restaurants—places where people are generally looking for a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a meal. I get that casual spots or chain pubs might be more family-friendly, but in certain settings, it can feel a bit disruptive.

OP posts:
TheKhakiBiscuit · 27/10/2024 17:46

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RedRobyn2021 · 27/10/2024 17:46

Also I've literally never had a bad experience with kids in a restaurant and I've only been a parent 3 years

I really think people like this are very sad and should be pitied

RedRobyn2021 · 27/10/2024 17:44

Stay home if you don't like it

Very sad person

PeloMom · 27/10/2024 17:44

Babies I’m fine with- never had issues with an uncontrollable or noisy one. On the other hand - toddlers/ kids that aren’t supervised and the parents pretend they aren’t with them while the kids scream and run around… definitely don’t belong in restaurants

ilovesooty · 27/10/2024 17:44

AppleKatie · 27/10/2024 17:39

I like it as well, who doesn’t love a cute newborn in a pram or on mums shoulder?

I don't personally.

It depends on the restaurant and general ambiance though I suppose.

Catza · 27/10/2024 17:44

If you are looking for a peaceful meal, eat at home where none of the "undesirables" can spoil the experience be that a baby or a middle aged bloke watching TikTok videos.

takealettermsjones · 27/10/2024 17:44

Oh good, we haven't had one of these threads in so long!

TheKhakiBiscuit · 27/10/2024 17:43

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bebopalula111 · 27/10/2024 17:43

No, children need to be introduced to restaurants, shopping centres and other environments from a young age to learn how to enjoy them. They may be unsure and unsettled but the more times they go, the more natural the surroundings become.

My daughter "behaved" a lot better in restaurants because we went out as often as we could and included her. I took lots of entertainment including blocks, colouring books and crayons. Now she's 9 and an angel.

I have friends with kids similar ages and they avoided places and when they went for family meals as their kids got older they were so stressed out as the kids were playing up. It's a shame as they weren't exposed to it.
I have a friend who refuses to take her kids to a shopping centre as they run about. But how are they supposed to learn if they don't go 🤔