Hotel restaurant and iPads etc

[mckenzie]

We are on holiday and staying in a hotel with breakfast included.
Settle nicely at a table this morning, in the shade, over lookimgbthe gardens, watching the birds on the ledge. A family then take the table next to us.

The older child (I'm guessing age 5) is given an iPad and starts playing a game with noice so we can hear ping and pong and clapping and other computer type noises.
The younger child (I'm guessing 18 months) has a phone propped up in front of her and is watching a video of some sort so we can hear high pitched animated voices and weird music.

AIBU to expect the family to think of others and provide said children with headphones?

No iPads and phones were allowed here (with Dd or any visiting child I'm out with and at home if in same room as others are sat) unless set to silent or with headphones. Won't wear headphones = no device.
Won't have on silent = no device.

There's no need for constant electronic devices to be used. We managed to grow up without them so I'm sure our own children should manage to at least only use them when they're not disturbing others.

Children's head phones have noise restriction settings. Or you have them on low with headphones.

If they child has a tantrum or screams as a result of the rules - you take them out of the room until they calm.

*I think people whose children are older have just missed the I pad generation tbh. The reason they don't sit and colour in quietly for 3 hours is that their brains are now wired to take in a higher higher level
Of Information than kids pre I pad so get bored far more easily.

It's has advantages and disadvantages. Can't sit still colouring but will be far smarter*

I guess my daughter would have been akin to the intelligence of Stephen Hawkin if iPads had been around when she was small rather than having a lowly BSc Hons. Where's the evidence children will be far smarter?

I hate this! It's bad enough seeing adults sitting glued to their phones all evening at a table but it annoys me with kids. The last time we were out at a restaurant, a child at the next table sat down with his parents, took his coat off and was immediately handed a tablet and headphones. His parents didn't interact with him once. Even through the meal he kept his head phones in.

I've also seen it at a wedding, an 11 year old sat with his back to his entirely family and the live band sat watching Call of Duty videos on YouTube. Literally all night long. I know kids find weddings boring but it was just so weird seeing him completely ignoring his family (including th bride and groom who were his family) and not interacting with anyone.

Yanbu!

bold fail sigh

No iPads when Dd was small. When eating out and knew it would be a longer wait at the table we took small non noisy activities - a small book, paper and pencils, mini toy - Dd had a fab little playmobil set that was a small box which opened up and fit in my bag.

Who said there was evidence? What is the evidence your daughter is smart because she has a bsc hons? -likethousandsofpeople-

We all do things on holiday that are different from the norm. Doesn't mean they can't sit having dinner in the kitchen diner in surbiton without their iPads does it?

What's the point of being smarter when you can't sit still to hold down a job/pass an exam? @autofill

We all do things on holiday that are different from the norm. Doesn't mean they can't sit having dinner in the kitchen diner in surbiton without their iPads does it?

I doubt it. Ipadholic kids tend to use their ipads at home too.

I've never seen anything that suggests children will be smarter because of iPads. I have read many an article that suggests it's harming their social development.

Though I recognise the sentiment in these responses I always promised myself I would try not to be the parent who says "in my day we just had lumps of coal to play with". Rock and roll corrupted the children, then video nasties, then computer games. Now "screens".

Loud iPads are as bad as loud Walkmans. They should have headphones or have them muted.

It's sad the number of parents who seem to take out a phone for their kid automatically on entering a restaurant (it's different if you've done other things first). At what age does a child who's used to this have to learn to talk, observe, wait like everyone else?

tea in a naice restaurant - headphones or on low

Brekkie in an all inclusive mess hall - YABU

Brekkie in an all inclusive outside area - YABVU

Yanbu. Headphones or no ipad. No idea why ipad needed in this instant anyway.

Of course you shouldn't be able to hear a child's programme/game on the iPad, it's bloody annoying and rude to inflict the noise on everyone else.

If mine have IPads at the table, which doesn't happen unless I know it's going to be a very long meal, you turn the sound off., or they wear headphones.

(Please can everyone who thinks it's acceptable let me know where they are going on holiday and I'll avoid it!)

Oh dear nutty. Where is your evidence they won't hold down a job?

Actually being able to concentrate for long periods of time, is essential to mastery of any skill. And lots of skills are not computer based. Lots of research to show that an ability to focus for long periods of time, is far more likely to lead to success in your chosen field.

But I really don't care if parents use ipads for their kids all the time or not. But I do care that the basic idea that good manners is not disturbing others, is not recognised by everyone.

Also I have read research that electronic noises such as music or TV, where you can't properly hear it, but only can hear it in the background, is the most annoying type of noise to be around. It might make your parenting easier, but only if you don't care about basic good manners.

When my ds was 3 I used to take him to coffee shop type cafes to practise eating out. He learned to sit nicely at the table, use a knife, fork and napkin and to engage in quiet conversation.

As a family, we have had many compliments from fellow diners about how well behaved my children are.

They just need to be taught.

Some parents are really letting their children down by their low expectations of their behaviour.

Some kids, especially toddlers won't wear headphones. They can be uncomfortable/ annoying for them

Then the noise stays off. Simple.

the only really alternative is the child getting stroppy and screaming/running around.

Don't be ridiculous.

Oh I agree with that fairenuff. We do that too. Also DC go to a lovely school where they have communal
Lunch with the tables laid out etc and that has taught them invaluable table manners which is lovely to see.

We all relax a bit on holiday though. I mean I wouldn't let them eat strawberry syrup at home either

Can't sit still colouring but will be far smarter That is the funniest thing I've read in ages.

Don't families sit and have meals together at home every day anymore? Without Ipads obviously. We used to always have breakfast and dinner as a family. No need for books, crayons etc as used to interact.

Crikey Gromance, what an unfunny life you lead

How on earth did I manage without an I-pad! We managed and my dc went to restaurants. How about a colouring book?