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AIBU?

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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:
Itaintme · 13/04/2017 22:19

I would think the kids would rather be on that beach rather than discussing it over whatever pretentious delights Jamie was serving up.

accidentalbride · 13/04/2017 22:19

Gosh... I go out with people I hardly know through school or nursery - en famille... And they know nothing of our days or challenges. I'm probably an awful parent to go for meals en famille with people I don't know super well... I'm out

Itaintme · 13/04/2017 22:21

The last pub I ate out at with my grandkids had PlayStations in the kids play area. The kids loved it.

GreenGinger2 · 13/04/2017 22:22

Oh the hardship. Eating out in a lively restaurant with nice food in a stunning setting before going on the beach.

My heart bleeds for them.

Of course Peppa should be provided on a loop as having to make conversation,wait and not having the world revolve around them is impossible to cope with otherwise.

Frazzled74 · 13/04/2017 22:26

Well I don't like screens at tables and prefer conversation but I do wish I had had peppa pig downloaded on my phone this lunchtime when dd aged 4 had a meltdown in a very naice cafe! As it was, the experience was totally spoiled for myself, DS and the other customers! From now on I will be more prepared.

treaclesoda · 13/04/2017 22:26

It is lazy and I think people in this situation are selfish to do it. How often do kids get time with their parents these days?

You have no idea how long anyone spends with their kids Confused.

Crispmonster1 · 13/04/2017 22:28

We were out for dinner tonight and my children 5 and 2 watched CBeebies at the table after our 2 year old finished the "colouring" and repeatedly jumped out of her seat and ran round the restaurant. We let her do that until other guests started to turn up. I'm glad we could get her to sit still without causing other diners irritation. I believe we would have been judged had we spent the meal chasing her around the tables.

Itaintme · 13/04/2017 22:29

Kids don't give a toss about lively restaurants and stunning locations.

second2musketeer · 13/04/2017 22:32

Itaintme- blimey you are bitter! YES it was 15; get over it. YES it is Jamie Oliver's restaurant; get over it. Just because it cost more than a Hungry Horse and it doesn't have built in PlayStations doesn't not make it pretentious or unsuitable for children. 😱.... Some people like to eat in restaurants they have good quality ingredients cooked from scratch by proper chefs..... with their children! 😨.

CreamCheez · 13/04/2017 22:33

The last time I was at a family event, none of the kids had a conversation with any adults. They were all stuck in various corners alone with screens. Times have changed. When I was a child I remember thinking that kids TV programmes were brain dead. And I loved chatting to adults. Certain skills will be lost to modern kids. But that seems to be the way it is now.

PortiaCastis · 13/04/2017 22:33

Ha pigs ears

sirfredfredgeorge · 13/04/2017 22:34

Itaintme but there large boats and interesting dog breeds

treaclesoda · 13/04/2017 22:34

My younger child doesn't even particuarly like eating full stop. Food isn't a joyful experience for him, he's just not that interested in it, even if it is something he likes (and he doesn't like very much, despite being exposed to all manner of things, right from the weaning stage). So it's not a treat in any way for him to eat out. It only happens when we can't avoid it.

Itaintme · 13/04/2017 22:37

Dogs on the beach? I bet they were shitting every where and nicking every ones picnic sarnies.

PortiaCastis · 13/04/2017 22:37

We have dog bans on 71 beaches in Cornwall this year

car5ys · 13/04/2017 22:38

However did we manage with kids before phones/tablets etc? My kids were taken out to restaurants etc and were expected to behave which they did. My SIL let her child( 6 yrs younger than my youngest) have phone/tablet at the table if we went out (IL not impressed) and the child rarely speaks, still has food cut up and has never eaten a complete meal. If I seem to be gloating so be it but my kids have never let me down when we have been out, eat well and we all sit to eat together and talk about our day. As older teen and early 20's they now have phones but never bring them to the table even at home

MsGameandWatch · 13/04/2017 22:38

It is lazy and I think people in this situation are selfish to do it. How often do kids get time with their parents these days?

I home ed one of mine, so probably a lot more than most.

GreenGinger2 · 13/04/2017 22:41

Um not where I live Cream. All our friends and family are the same as us. No way would I be paying money to share a table with Peppa Pig.

My DC don't have unlimited screen time and they never have screens at tables or during social occasions. They get plenty of screen time at other times,they don't melt.

treaclesoda · 13/04/2017 22:42

When I hear people say that they pass their mealtimes talking about their day it always makes me wonder what their lives are like. I couldn't pass five minutes talking about my day, even to another adult. (Unless I suppose they are weirdly interested in my lovely colour coded spreadsheets that I do in work). Neither of my children have ever been remotely interested in telling me what happens in school. I have gamely tried for years to do the whole 'so tell me what was the best thing that happened in school today?' thing and I get this face in return Confused and occasionally 'why do you want to know?'

TheRealPooTroll · 13/04/2017 22:46

Yes the op did say that the parents didn't speak to them at all. And surely a 4 and 6 yr old can order food directly with the waiter/waitress without needing their parents as an interpreter unless they are too engrossed in their silent Peppa

Itaintme · 13/04/2017 22:47

They probably just asked for chips. Does Jamie have a kids menu?

PortiaCastis · 13/04/2017 22:49

www.fifteencornwall.co.uk/menus/kids-menu/

TheRealPooTroll · 13/04/2017 22:50

So screens aside if the op started a thread AIBU to think my friends shouldn't have completely ignored their kids for a 3 hr meal I wonder what the replies would have been?
Apart from the poster who ignores their kids for the good of their health Hmm

PortiaCastis · 13/04/2017 22:51

Where does it say a 3hour meal ?

treaclesoda · 13/04/2017 22:54

And surely a 4 and 6 yr old can order food directly with the waiter/waitress without needing their parents as an interpreter

One of mine could never have ordered from a waiter at that age. It was a huge ordeal just to be able to whisper 'thank you' when they were presented with the food.

However, in stark contrast to a lot of the assumptions on this thread, my child who finds it hard to communicate and talk to adults is the same one who was always impeccably behaved, and would happily have passed the time quietly looking around.

The one who has always been difficult to control, who needs constant distraction etc is the one with the fantastic social skills who can talk to any adult.