"Ipad Kid" ??

This thread is so weird.
Other threads a full of people complaining about phone/tablet use in the cinema, theatre or gigs because it disturbs them.
People moaning about the audience participation at the Minecraft movie saying it ruined it for their (probably too young to actually be watching it) children.
Yet apparently it's perfectly fine for a loud phone/tablet to be used in a cafe or restaurant - despite the fact the noise WILL be disturbing others.
So odd.

We use a screen as a last ditch effort, we usually have toys and books. That being said my 2 1/2 year old isn’t food motivated and doesn’t like to sit still. Needless to say, I’m at the point that I’m now refusing to eat out with him as no one enjoys it and it’s stressful.

I’ve no issue with screens (especially for SEN), but there needs to be respect for other people where volume is concerned. Headphones or very quiet.

Someone needs to care about our future generation. Good on you, OP!

For everyone saying the child might be neurodiverse and all that jazz...I speak as someone who works and studies in this area;

No. Do not pass go. Go straight to jail.

Neurodiversity existed looooong before technology arrived on the scene. Taking your ND children our, is not a novel thing! We survived without screens on outings before now, we can also survive without them presently. Otherwise? You're just using the screen as a babysitter and replacement educator. Taking ND outdoors should be an educational and socialising experience to enhance their and yours coping mechanisms via communication.

If the child is under 4-5 they do not have the capacity to sit and converse with an adult for an hour as the adult eats their dinner. This way the parent gets to enjoy a meal out and the toddler gets to enjoy an hour of dancing fruits, except some people seem to make everything their problem, especially when it’s other people’s children and they themselves are childless.

I'm sorry but the creators of hey bear and the dancing fruit need some kind of award in recognition of services to parent hood. My toddler, who loves books and songs and has an incredible vocab for his age also has poor impulse control and a raging temper. Dancing fruit and the bumble nums are they only things that will save him. so if we are out, waiting on food and he is tired and hungry, yes he gets my phone. I don't inflict the noise on neighbouring tables, but actually the tunes are pretty catchy.

Wow entitled and selfish

YABU except for the part about noise. Absolutely children should be using headphones in public.
And I speak as a parent of a child with significant SEND needs.
I can tell you something, if iPads has been around in the 70’s and 80’s there’s absolutely no doubt that parents would have used them, that’s if we weren’t left alone in the beer garden or car with some pop and crisps. Never has parenting been under such a judgemental periscope. It’s ludicrous.

Why does your son’s discomfort trump other people’s. It’s a serious question. When I take my 5year old grandson out to restaurants we bring sticker books. He is on the hyper side so he needs something.

This is a really unkind way to respond to a poster who is clearly doing her best in circumstances none of us would choose for our children.

I don’t understand why it’s your business? If it’s too loud, then just move? You have no idea or need to know their corcumstances.

I agree OP. Its like children cannot sit and wait for a meal at a restaurant anymore. As children we didn't have a choice. Now it's so easy for parents to give them something to "occupy them", children aren't learning to have any patience.

No, the child does not need the technology. Parents need to parent.

@Oioisavaloy27 where on earth did I say she was on an iPad all the time? I said when they are out for a meal and she begins to become overwhelmed. It stops them having to leave and th older two having their fun ruined. My kids have tablets sometimes but they aren't on them all the time 🙄

But there may come a point where she does have a.conversation but sticking her on an iPad all the time is not going to encourage her to talk is it?

Whilst I'm aware that Americans say "could care less", they are still wrong. It doesn't make sense and they need to stop it.

Agree. As long as the sound isn’t on then it’s not an issue.

In 99.9.% of these cases it is the sound from these devices that's causing the problem that people are being told to mind their own business about...

Not sure why readers on here can't see that....it's the noise not the fact a child's on a device, I genuinely give no shits about that, having to listen would be a different matter.

The sheer volume at which they're playing Cocomelon, Peppa pig or whatever the in thing is now is the whole issue and when it's being forced upon others to listen to due to the loudness, as let's be honest we aren't the one's in control of the volume button, you've took it upon yourself and made it that person business.

Yes the sound isn’t blasting. To be fair I skimmed the op and didn’t realise it was the sound blasting that was the issue. I wouldn’t allow the volume to be heard by everyone else.

Agree and I’ve never ruined anyone else’s meal. His iPad also isn’t blasting and like I said he goes out to eat once in a blue moon. He’s been taken home on numerous occasions when not coping as I too believe his autism doesn’t trump anyone else’s peace. My comment was simply a response to someone coming over and asking him to not be on his iPad which would be none of there business 😊

And also a point- if you don’t have children who are non-verbal/autistic/SEN please don’t tell parents who do what they should be doing, what would be best for their child. You have NO idea. And trust me no SEN mum is ever going to take you seriously anyway.

I don’t think I actually mentioned her age…

Agree. As long as the sound isn’t on then it’s not an issue.

I don’t understand why some seem to think stickers or colouring books are somehow superior- it’s still a case of trying to entertain toddlers who don’t have the attention span to sit quietly or nicely for a dinner.

Just do what you have to and don’t worry about everyone else.

I find it a bit sad to see sometimes but appreciate it’s only a snapshot of their day.

What bugs me is when it’s played out loud and no headphones. I get really bothered by certain noises such as loud tinny music. Why does my experience have to be ruined? Restaurants shouldn’t be filled with people playing content on loud speaker.

Haha same

are you joking? I really hope so… 😅

I don’t think you can or should ever base opinions on other people’s parenting after a fleeting interaction. I had a thought on this the other day as my partner and I were driving back from a UK break with our 16 month old. It was a two hour trip back and I’d sat in the back with our little one for the journey, and for an hour and 55 minutes I’d sang to him, chatted to him and played with him in the back. 5-10 minutes before we arrived home I was completely done in, he was getting bored and restless and I whacked my phone out and played him some YouTube videos for the last few minutes. Anyone passing us in the car at that point would’ve probably had the same perception as you without the slightest idea of what the reality was. I really wouldn’t judge other people!