That they should have just got a fucking babysitter

[Happyeverafter73]

I am sitting in a nice restaurant trying to have a good evening with my friends. And the couple next to me have their baby, no more than 1 month old. Screaming his or her head off for half an hour.

AIBU that they should not bring a tiny baby into a restaurant?

Maybe have some compassion. If their baby is under one month and if it is their first it's unlikely hey have a clue what they are doing. Their have separation anxiety that the life they knew of now gone. They will figure it out.

Fanjo based on what you've just said, your last few posts are about me.

I haven't name changed to post on a thread about a baby in a restaurant.

How odd that you would think that.

If the baby isn't a month old. They probably won't go to a restaurant for another 5 years after this disaster, Tonight they go home and cry over their ridiculous plans "we'll be really cool parents. Baby will just come along wherever we go. We will not stay in and be boring every night" .

But does everyone have to listen to a piercing scream while they're "figuring it out"?

Taking baby out - fine.

Doing sweet fuck all while baby screams the place down - not fine.

MadMags is like Methuselah, fanjo. Been around forever.

It's not either/or though, is it? Take the baby and deal with the reason if it cries. If it doesn't stop, then take it home.

We used to take our DD out to dinner with us all the time when she was tiny. Mostly she just slept or fed. The one time she did start screaming, though, we got our food boxed up and left.

Flogging

why not go somewhere family friendly like Pizza Hut??

Or maybe have a private consultation (in their house) with Dr Oetker.

twohandstwokids
Maybe have some compassion...

but this goes both ways. You have no idea why the OP or others in the restaurant are having there night out either,

You know,Madmags - I don't find it nonsense and it's horrible. I take my baby out to restaurants a lot, he never cries but there is always one arsehole ready to tut and roll eyes and sigh that I dared bring a little human with me.

I'm not originally from the UK and it's entirely normal in my culture to have babies and children around at dinner - what with them being an actual part of the family and all.

I'm with @AnyFucker

Children in restaurants annoy me in general

Stay at home then.

If the baby is so upset, why are they just carrying on eating? Poor little mite. One of them needs to take him out for his sake not just for the sanity of the other diners.

Maybe it's time for someone to complain, not just moan on mumsnet?

They are not unreasonable to bring the
baby per se. But they should make sure not to disturb others.

ds (dc2) was easy to take to restaurants or anywhere as a feed would always keep him happy. I was a good one handed eater. Makes eating out less fun though !

I remember going to Cyprus when our DS was 5 months old. We went to a very fancy taverna ( I think Zoe Ball and FBS went there too ) for a meal as everywhere was so child friendly. DS started screaming and the owner's wife came out and took him from us making soothing noise and walking around with him near us so that we could enjoy our meal.

So human! Cyprus remains the most child-friendly place I have ever visited.

Fanjo stop me-railing, ffs.

I agree Mittens. I don't know why they would just sit there and ignore a distressed, very young baby.

sourpatch I'm just saying, not every single person on the continent is delighted to see children in a restaurant, just like not every single person in the UK is ready to hiss and growl!

I'll bet they aren't just eating, I imagine they're really stressed and it's not helped by the judgement of others. I genuinely don't understand it. I'll be honest, before I had kids I wasn't that keen on them but now when I hear a baby crying all I can have is empathy for everyone involved. One month in is brutal, cut them some slack - most people are just trying to do their best

Yeah I agree Madmags, it's just sad sometimes. It really is horrible to see someone's face turn sour because you've brought your child to eat. I'm just generally surprised by it, I would never have predicted it prior to becoming a mum.

My baby is much nicer than me, they should be happy he's there and scowling at me

"If the baby isn't a month old. They probably won't go to a restaurant for another 5 years after this disaster, Tonight they go home and cry over their ridiculous plans "we'll be really cool parents. Baby will just come along wherever we go. We will not stay in and be boring every night" "

yepp

Crying babies don't bother me, i get a wave of relief it's not my responsibility and I'll go home to a good sleep. The parents of unchecked older children piss me of though.
You're in a public place, children exist. It's life. You can leave. If you're especially bothered about who else is around when you eat you're best of not eating out in public or going to places that don't allow children etc.

most people are just trying to do their best

Well the couple in the OP sound as though their best could be a little better. If your tiny baby is shrieking, tend to them.

love this thread

"On the continent, there would have been a dozen offers to help jiggle the baby and an acknowledgement that the way growing children learn to behave in company is to actually do it

Not some po faced keyboard nobs moaning about how their prosecco was curdled by the perfectly normal sound of a baby crying"

yes yes yes