Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Children watching Peppa Pig on phones in restaurant

740 replies

SilverLeafClover · 12/04/2017 11:01

We went for lunch with friends yesterday at the Fifteen restaurant near Newquay. I only mention the place because it has an amazing view of the beach and the sea, which made it all the more surprising that as soon as we sat down, my friend and her husband handed their children (both NT, aged 4 and 6) two phones. For the duration of the meal, the children sat zombie-like and watched Peppa Pig on the screens.

I will admit, I judged.

The parents did not speak to their children and the children were just glued to the screens. My three children aged 8, 5, 3 are not angels but managed to sit through a short meal (main course and then ice cream, no staters, no coffees) without needing screens. I talked to my adult friends and kept an eye on my children, pointing out stuff that was happening outside, large boats passing by, surfers, dogs etc.

Am I am a Luddite? Or am I right to think unlimited access to screens during a meal out is not right?

OP posts:
Batgirlspants · 12/04/2017 11:03

I completely agree with you op. What's wrong with bloody conversation. I have 4 kids and we managed meals out without screen time.

hooliodancer · 12/04/2017 11:03

Did they have the sound on? I hate it when people do that, and others are disturbed by the noise.

Crispbutty · 12/04/2017 11:04

Before the meal arrives, in between courses, after the meal while adults are chatting, absolutely fine if it means peace for other diners too.

When meals are on the table I would expect phones to be put away.

LadyCassandra · 12/04/2017 11:05

You are judged. Fifteen is not cheap and if I was spending that kind of money I'd be doing the same to keep them quiet so I could enjoy and talk to my friends. Whose idea was it to go there with kids?

PinkHeart59156816 · 12/04/2017 11:05

Maybe the children aren't good at sitting still? And the parents thought better they watch Peppa Pig and be quiet than ruin the meal for other diners.

I'd rather that than parents that sit there with the child making noise/being a pain in the backside and they do absolutely nothing which means it ruins mealtime for other paying diners.

I wouldn't of judged.

MrsJayy · 12/04/2017 11:06

You are going to get mixed responses on this I partly agree with you though screens are great in moderation wish they were about when my kids were younger but giving kids screens when they could join in with meals is teaching them to zone out I see a lot of no interacting with children these days and It doesn't seem right

treaclesoda · 12/04/2017 11:06

I'm with Crispbutty.I don't see any difference at all between this and giving the kids colouring in to do, or a puzzle sheet. The only thing is that I'd expect the volume to be switched off.

But when food is on the table, I'd expect them to be put away.

twinklehickorymoomoo · 12/04/2017 11:07

Same as crisp butty. With all the best will in the world, a 2 year old has a very short attention span, especially when they are made for running around and being inquisitive. We will go as long as humanly possible without screens, but if a meal is taking a particularly long time to come out and we've exhausted all of the colouring sheets, I spy and other games/conversations then we may resort to 10 mins of screen time. I'd rather my kids didn't have a melt down because they are bored and hungry and disturb the other diners. Phones are never out when they are eating.

Original poster
SilverLeafClover · 12/04/2017 11:08

PinkHeart

Surely there is some middle ground between 100% screens and ignoring children to run around and disturb others?

OP posts:
Original poster
SilverLeafClover · 12/04/2017 11:09

Hoolio

They did not have the sound on. So the children just sat wordlessly, staring at the mute screens. For the whole lunch. The parents did not speak to them once.

OP posts:
PinkHeart59156816 · 12/04/2017 11:10

I think as long as when the food arrives the Peppa Pig is put down, fine by me!

Original poster
SilverLeafClover · 12/04/2017 11:10

Their youngest child is closer to 5.

OP posts:
VladmirsPoutine · 12/04/2017 11:10

I don't think they did anything wrong. They know their own children's threshold better than you do; whether or not they are NT is neither here nor there.
As long as everyone, including other diners, had a pleasant lunch that's really all that matters.

Original poster
SilverLeafClover · 12/04/2017 11:10

But the screens stayed out whilst we are!

OP posts:
Original poster
SilverLeafClover · 12/04/2017 11:11

Ate!

OP posts:
SolomanDaisy · 12/04/2017 11:11

Judge away. You know nothing.

scoopmuckanddizzyrollytoo · 12/04/2017 11:11

me and dh have 3 kids, didn't go out at all when younger as we have no babysitting support at all, we do go out now and am happy for kids to use phones etc.. I spend every day all day interacting with the kids so for a couple of hours to let me and dh have a bit peace and a chat, no probs. Not while eating food however 😀

Imaginosity · 12/04/2017 11:12

I'd have no problem with this. Great your children are able to stay relatively happy while out for a meal but not all children are the same as yours. My children join in lots of things but sometimes I want to be able to enjoy something without trying to keep them calm and quiet and screens certainly help. I wouldn't have my children watching screens 24 hours a day but no harm using them at certain times.

AnnPerkins · 12/04/2017 11:12

If we're with another family with children there I wouldn't take anything.

If it's just me, DH and DS we might take a comic or tablet or 3DS for DS. But only if we're planning on a lingering over a couple of glasses of wine and chatting-type meal. DS likes to chat and enjoy his surroundings but not for as long as DH and I like to.

Original poster
SilverLeafClover · 12/04/2017 11:12

Vladmirs

I wonder how children will learn to do anything without screens?
You seriously think children eating pasta and watching Peppa Pig with the sound down is fine? At what age would you then remove the phones? And then how do you get the kids to behave if they are reliant on screens?

OP posts:
MrsELM21 · 12/04/2017 11:13

Not ideal, but have you thought that perhaps the parents were worried about their children disturbing you so just overcompensated a bit?

Itaintme · 12/04/2017 11:13

Oh what a better parent you are. Did you do that loud parenting thing so everyone knew how superior a parent you were?

MrsJayy · 12/04/2017 11:14

I think you have friends who parent very differently to you and I think this has really surpised and irritated you they wanted to eat and chat in peace you were expecting something different which is fair enough, is ignoring their kids normal for them?

Original poster
SilverLeafClover · 12/04/2017 11:14

I understand allowing screens of the service is slow or whilst adults are finishing, but people are seriously arguing that it is fine for small children should have screens throughout the meal and that parents do not need to say a single word to their own children during a meal?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 12/04/2017 11:15

You seem really over invested in this. I allow my kids to look at phones whilst waiting but I would expect them put away once food arrives. Everyone is different though.
Phones on silent disturb no one. Mind your business.
Kids shouting or running round a restaurant is bloody annoying. I wold judge.