To ask at what age it stops being ok to take own food into a pub/ restaurant for toddler?

[WinkyisbackontheButterBeer]

Just wondering really. At what age would you say that you have to buy your toddler a meal, rather than take something for them?

Taking your own food is cringeworthy in most situations. A side plate to an adult's meal is usually fine. Then when children are older, two under (say) 10 y/o can share an adult meal. Restaurant staff are generally happy to provide a second plate. Then children have the opportunity to eat nice adult food rather than the ubiquitous crap & chips.

I have cousins who are pushing 30 and rake lunchboxes to restaurants. They just refuse to try food.

What a bloody cheek! I'm amazed they are allowed to do that.

Probably about 1ish. We did it with DS1 for a bit longer until 2.5ish but he has allergies/bad reflux so that made it bit more complicated but I did feel bad tbh. DS2 will eat anything though so will quite happily have some of everyones dinner or share some of his brothers.

As soon as they're eating actual food. Shocked at people saying 6 or 7!!

I never took food to a restaurant for ds once he was eating proper solids. Also I can't stand it when parents give their child bits off their plate. I think it looks cheap.
I buy my child a meal when out, why wouldn't I?

Generally up to about 3 but it depends on the venue and the child. If you've got a hefty toddler who looks (and perhaps behaves) slightly older but who has food issues, it's probably better to check in advance and explain, if it's a case of needing specific foods or avoiding others. Some places, eg Wetherspoons, are unlikely to care. Some places are more willing than others to provide something off-menu for a kid, as well.

They would get stuff of our plates and we'd usually have a sippy cup.

Greensleeves
I work in a restaurant, which is why I'd question it. In fact, we would simply not allow it. I don't work in a Wetherspoons though, maybe they don't care?

Assuming no food allergies that aren't catered for/other needs, around 18 months I would think. I don't we've ever done it though, most places have suitable options.

At 2, DD2 wanted to 'order' from a menu like her siblings! (not reading it obviously, but choosing something).

I'm fairly oblivious to what others do, though. Adults taking food, on the other hand...no.

Other than when my DC where breastfed, I never took anything into a restaurant

I assume you still take your breasts now?

as long as the adults are ordering main meals i dont see the problem

my dniece doesnt eat alot and has speech problems so cant say what she likes so my dsis takes more snacky type foods

Apartfrim bringing some rice cakes or crackers I have never taken a meal in, they ate bread or peas when little and then nuggets or something

Inever had any problems in Wetherspoons or anywhere else, for 8 years. It was our only option if we wanted to eat out as a family, and we did, frequently. Happily we didn't encounter anyone like you.

I don't want to do a SEN derail here, but you really should refrain from making judgemental assumptions about other people's lives and just get on with your own.

It depends how much they eat and how good the place is at doing child portions.

My now greedy little guzzling 2 and 3 year olds will eat most of an adult portion between them, or for larger portions I’ll get them a child’s meal between them. So it’s very easy now to always find something suitable on any menu.

When 2 yo was a baby I struggled more as at 18 months the older DC hardly ever had a suitable option so I just took my own food for her. If there was something she could share with me she would but usually there wasn’t. I resented paying loads for something unsuitable.

I usually still bring fruit /veg for them to munch on though as I find most child meals lacking in anything healthy and it keeps them quiet before any food arrives, it goes away when their meal arrives.

I've ordered food specially for DS from about 15m I think. But I will still (at 3) sometimes give him a snack to help him wait patiently. I figure this is ok since I'm paying for a whole meal for him.

12-18 months, when you no longer use baby food.

What restaurant wouldn't have anything suitable for a child? I agree, most "children menu" can be pretty unhealthy, but you chose the restaurant. It won't hurt them as a one-off

I never took food to a restaurant for ds once he was eating proper solids. Also I can't stand it when parents give their child bits off their plate. I think it looks cheap.
I buy my child a meal when out, why wouldn't I?

My DD is 9 months and she's been eating bits off our plates in pubs since she was 5 months. She would be wider than she is tall if I bought her a meal to herself, and leaving most of it would be a waste of food and money.

I am quite happy to look cheap.

I agree greensleves. I do remember once judging a family when everyone had a meal and the child just had a portion of chips. Now I am pleased if ds eats the chips!

I do find most places are very accommodating especially if you talk to them and explain.

I've always just shared off my plate with 16 month dd when we go out to eat, some places we will get her her own meal, she likes having Wagamama kids portion to herself. Or we will get extra portions of veg or chips for her. I have snacks for her in my bag if for some reason she won't eat what's on offer but I rarely have to give them to her.

I assume you still take your breasts now?

I leave mine at home these days.

I mostly just shared food off my plate with DD when she was a toddler unless there was some side order that was particularly appealing for her, only started ordering her own meal around 4 years old I think as before that it just wasn't worth it as she wouldn't eat that much.

As soon as they're eating 'proper' food they should be able to eat off the menu (even if it's just some food off their parents' plates).

As soon as they eat solid food. I sometimes take a packet of raisins or a banana because DS 15 months is always hungry and I give him that while we are waiting to order to keep him quiet but not instead of food. I usually order one children's meal for my DC to share (DD just turned 3 years). Most servers assume this to be the case and ask if we want a side plate for them to share before we ask for it so it must be quite common.

you really should refrain from making judgemental assumptions about other people's lives and just get on with your own
When I am at work, you know the restaurant, the business I am employed at, my focus is keeping the business making money so we all keep our jobs.

We don't allow people to treat our restaurant like a canteen or BYO. If you don't like our food, don't come. Rather that than come, don't buy our product, bring your our own whilst using our facilities.

Put a sign in the window then, so parents with children with ASD/other issues that restrict their diets know not to bother.