Ive just come back from Sunday lunch, which was spoiled by a family allowing their three kids, including a young toddler, to run riot in the restaurant. I dont mind kids being in restaurants at all, in fact I think its good for them to get used to eating out as a family from a young age. What I dont like is parents letting them spoil everyone elses experience, which is what was going on here.
When we got there they were all sat at the table watching their own indvidual ipads. No headphones and full volume, so everyone could hear it all word for word. They quickly got bored with that though and were basically allowed to do what they wanted to for the next hour. The toddler was lifted out of the high chair and ran riot around the whole place, at one point she had to be stopped from entering the kitchen, and another diner had to stop her from walking into a table corner. Waiting staff alsohad to step over them whilst carrying hot food.
Parents did fuck all and just sat there guzzling wine. Then they told them all to go outside and they were running around in the car park unsupervised before coming back in and all dancing around in the main bar area. The toddler then darted back outside and the parents shouted at the eldest for not keeping an eye on her.For perspective eldest must have only been about eight.
Ive never seen anything like it and I think everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief when they all left. If we'd have behaved like this in a restaurant when were kids my parents would have kicked our backsides into next week. I get thats not acceptable anymore, but there are plenty of child friendly places where you can take them and then let them out to play safely when they are bored.
AIBU to think they should stick to McDonalds in future?