To think if a mum is happy to leave 2 kids alone at a table the restaurant staff should leave them alone

[Kitsandkids]

Currently in a family friendly restaurant. A mum has taken a toddler to the toilet leaving 2 children aged anywhere between 5 and 8, at a guess, sitting at the table. They are not being rowdy, they are not crying, they are just sitting quietly. But when a waitress came over with their food she got annoyed that they are alone and has left another staff member standing next to the table. So now they are sitting in awkward silence waiting for mum to return. Is it just me who thinks if mum is fine to leave the together, and they're not causing a disturbance, the staff should leave them alone?

Leaving the table and doing what?

I would never leave a 5 year old unsupervised in a public place, end of. If that meant taking them to the toilet with me, that's what I would do.

I would, did and still do (if in charge of more than one small one)
All seven of mine. None as yet abducted by aliens.. All have impeccable manners in public and we have never been asked to leave a restaurant or other public space. Probably because they have always known what was expected of them.

Basic common sense applies. Family friendly restaurant with everyone say quietly around the table.. probably not if standing in the middle of a 10k strong crowd at Glastonbury...

You do know there is no order of Lenin for martyr parenting don't you.. ? But if trailing a toddler, 5 yr old and 8 yr old to the loo is what rocks your boat crack on. Just don't expect us all to do it.

You used escalating examples... OK....

Why not "Wouldn't leave them alone stood next to a swinging scythe" or "alone with a rat poison laced slice of cake"?

The 5 year old was not unsupervised, the situation was not dire!

Yanbu. I left mine from that age if I needed to pop to the loo. It was only in restaurants we knew well though, and I was jolly quick.

Pengwwwn If the shop was a few metres away in the same building then yes, i would leave them. However i don't live in the same building as a shop and never have done. It really is not the same AT ALL. Most 5 and 8 year olds are sufficiently able to wait for 5 minutes while their parent pops away from the table. I am sure they don't hover over them all the time at home.

In the olden days, when my children were small, it would have usual to ask someone on a neighbouring table to keep an eye on them while you took the toddler to the lavatory. I know times have changed now and parents have been taught that every stranger is a potential paedophile!

My friend used to be left in charge of 2 younger siblings at home, alone, when friend was 5yo. My 8yo could do a lot to control 5yo sibling.

I used to let my 5 and 8 year old play out at the local park (open to the public on their own. They knew where I was (2 mins away at home) although admittedly it was a quiet village.

A sensible 8 year old is fine left for a matter of minutes.

Supervision is subjective. You can't judge a parent of what they've weighed up as a reasonable risk.

Ummmm let's see why ... perhaps because as a parent who knows her children - this parent has made the valid decision to leave them by themselves for a short time because she is not an over anxious parent who see danger around every corner. And that her choices are more valid than yours because they are her children!

I would leave a 5 and 8 year old in similar circumstances, and defend the right of anyone else to do so

I wouldn't condemn the fact that others would take their kids into the toilet although I'd think they were a bit of a fuss-pot

To those who would take the 5 and 8 year old with you. How would you all fit in the cubicle?

Morally you cannot use a disabled toilet as you chose to have children and that is not a disability.

The baby change is for just that and the toddler is out of nappies.

You cannot leave them outside the cubicle as they are just as out of your sight and just as capable of misbehaving while you have your hands full with the toddler in the toilets as they are at the table.

This is why I just don't take mine to places like this, unless there is another adult who can cover the others.

I think it's the parent's fault and not the restaurant. Seriously though, it should be obvious enough.

No, it is not the same as being at home. It is not as safe as being at home. There are people walking round with glasses and hot plates; there are drunks; there are strangers; there are stairs; there are things to trip over. It isn't as safe as leaving them at home. I just wouldn't do it, not with a 5 year old.

Stairs? Things to trip over? Crikey..

Crikey, it must be tiring be the judge of the world's behaviour!

If I were this mother and you cared to comment about my parenting choices for MY children.. I would not be impressed. Honestly some poeple are so ridiculously over protective.
I have DSC who are products of this type of nonsense. It has long term consequences.
My dsc cannot get around anywhere on public transport , can't read a bus timetable.. didnt know 'how' to buy a train ticket until I forced them into it.
All because 'what might happen if they were out on their own' ...

8 & 5 yrs. both at school. Both able to understand concept of '5 minutes'. My greatest concern would be for children who WEREN'T able to cope with this !