to expect a restaurant or pub to have children's cutlery

[MrsHarry]

if they have a children's menu?

I mean it's not an earth-shattering issue I know, but it really annoys me when I get a lovely child-size portion of spag bol or something for my 3-yr old then they offer an enormous adult-sized metal fork and knife!

If we're heading out for a planned meal I pack our own cutlery but if it's an impromptu thing I'm not that organised!

[Ormirian]

Never occurred to me to expect it.

[togarama]

YABU. Teaspoon and cake fork for us too.

[MrsHarry]

Well, glad at least a few people agree...not just me then!
Also amazed that some people would actually steal the cutlery, that would never have crossed my mind, and yes, a good reason not to have 'em if that's what's happened in the past.

To those who keep telling me to just use a teaspoon, that is obviously our alternative on several occasions but not always appropriate for the type of food DD is now eating....just smaller portions of grown-up food...could we eat all the food we eat with just a teaspoon?? Also some places just do not have dessert/cake forks.

I do often have our own stuff in bag/car but of course there are times when we're in grandparents' car/have diff bag/cutlery been used, washed and not replaced etc etc!

Would just be much easier if they could have some....after all, many places bother to have high chairs and colouring packs don't they?!

[Portofino]

I bought a knife/set/spoon set in a plastic case from Boots when dd was little. Tucked it in next to the wet wipes - job done. I kind of miss those days....

[TrinityMotherOfRhinos]

never even though about it

surely adult cutlery isn't too big for a three year old

[MrsHarry]

Yes, obviously adult cutlery is too big for my 3-yr old or otherwise I wouldn't be bothering about children's cutlery and would just use the adult ones....
Perhaps other people's children cope with it better. DD stabs herself in the mouth, clashes the metal against her teeth, and sometimes manages to get the whole thing almost down her throat!
she is getting better at it, but would like to save her the discomfort.

[toeragsnotriches]

I always carry a couple of disposable sets around, extras I've picked up from cafes, sandwich bars etc.

[RIZZ0]

Actually, YANBU.
I want my kids to use cutlery appropriate for their meal, a teaspoon can't always replace a fork. The meals are smaller so the cutlery could be too.

If a restaurant wants to put service charge on the child's section of the bill they should ensure they're properly catered for I suppose.

[Susiewho]

My local pub has children's cutlery. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover this when I forgot to put DD's in my bag when we went for lunch the other day!

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

YANBU - They manage it in Greece, everywhre you go they'll offer you a little fork for children. I don't see why we can't do it here. What's the point in paying for a nice meal if you have to do your own washing up?

[Pixel]

Well bully for Greece, perhaps the parents there aren't so light-fingered. We used to have a pub and you wouldn't believe the things people will steal! When you have to screw the mirrors to the wall in the ladies because they repeatedly get stolen (along with the net curtains ), you are no longer surprised by the constant expense of replacing cutlery, glasses, crockery, ashtrays, cruets, ramekins etc etc etc. I think being expected to add childrens' cutlery to the list is beyond the call of duty . And tbh, I've got two dcs and I never found it a hardship to have some small cutlery in my bag, considering all the other rubbish I had to carry around.

Btw, the pub I'm talking about is in an area that is widely regarded as 'posh', I dread to think what it's like elsewhere!

[MsScarlettInTheLibrary]

What? really? I never even knew you could get special cutlery for children. DD was happily wielding normal size stuff from the first day she figured out how to shove stuff in her mouth.

I am obviously neglectful. But YABU (and a bit weird)

[Bogeyface]

Some people will pinch anything that isnt nailed down, so in that respect YABU to expect a restaurant to lose money week in week out to theft from wankers!

But I know what you mean about a small child struggling, so I have a stash of plastic forks in my bag. Its much easier!

[Susiewho]

Forgot to say: YANBU at all! :).

MsScarlett, I don't think the OP is weird. I think it's a bit odd that you've never seen child-size cutlery. Are you in the UK?

[IcingOnTheCake]

Pixel i can qiite believe that. People will steal anything!

I used to work in a place that did cream teas and the little pots we used to put the clotted cream in used to get stolen all the time until we run out, then the boss would have to buy more. So one time the boss said when they have all gone, i am not replacing them and in the end we used to put the cream straight onto the plate.

Alot of people spoil it for themselves really and they spoil it for those who don't steal too.

[shewasashowgirl]

Yes Derangedsyble

You are right they don't do it because it gets lost!!

[shewasashowgirl]

I saw a toilet seat get nicked from a restaurant I worked in. Coat hooks, loo rolls, crockery, napkins you name it people nick it!

[omnishambles]

My 2 year old uses normal cutlery at home - a 3/4 should be able to easily.

[Laquitar]

@ toilet seat!

[shewasashowgirl]

Pixel
I hear you, it's quite shocking isn't it!

[BertieBotts]

In M&S they have mini plastic forks and spoons by the sandwiches - they're free - you could always pop in there and get one if you've forgotten to bring some. And then just cut her food up for her.

[princessparty]

We have never posessed any children's cutlery, yet my 4 seemed to manage.