Do you let your DC do this?

[jcmayj]

If at the dinner table or out for a meal with family, do you let your DC watch things/play on their tablets whilst you eat?

SN so yes. But not loudly. Has to be quiet or headphones. Tends to stop while eating. He uses phone or computer while eating at home. Stops sensory issues.

I dont mind

No iPads while there is food in the table. Yes, with headphones afterwards if DH and I are having the luxury of a coffee and adult conversation. Kids are 6 and 4.

If we are eating out - no They are old enough now (9 and 11) not to need anything to occupy them.
If we are eating as a family - no.

I have a large open plan kitchen and so they can see the TV from the kitchen table so yes they will sometimes watch TV while eating and while I am still cooking.

The only thing that annoys me when allowing kids in restaurants (or even on a train etc) to play on phones/tablets is that some parents don't make them turn the sound down.

No but they always have their phones glued to their hands these days. If we're out for a meal then we chat but if we're in the pub, they sit there on phones/tablets as we're usually there for a couple of hours.

We both might look at our phones if the food is taking a while. Never have any sound on a device in a public place unless using earphones though.

No and last I read it wasn't advised in most SEN cases.

If we go out for I meal I talk to my dc. Why would you go for dinner and ignore dc while they watched tablets?

Yep
In fact we would attempt a meal in public without the iPads
DS1 has ASD and DS2 has ADHD

No and last I read it wasn't advised in most SEN cases.

Which genius has said that?

Sometimes yes. DS is 2.5 and I would give him my phone to watch cbeebies etc whole we were waiting for food/after food if it meant he sat still and didn't run around the restaurant. But he's quite happy to watch with no sound at all

As long as my children are using headphones then it’s none of anyone else’s business how I parent my children when it comes to iPads at the table.

I have one child with ASD, one with suspected ASD and a lively toddler. So sometimes iPads are a welcome option to calm them down in places like restaurants!

They didnt exist when my kids were young so they sat at the table behaved themselves and ate their food, but then because the technology wasnt there they didnt expect anything else

At home the tv is usually on in the background but no devices at mealtimes. Out for a meal we allow ds to have his tablet and headphones but not when food is on the table

@Sirzy I can't find the link. It may have been more specific to dc with behaviour issues rather than sen. It's a short term help at the time but long term has less positive impact on dc with behaviour difficulties. It was in an SEND training presentation.

Sometimes when on holiday on silent after the meal.

I say that as a lone parent that sometimes wants to sit quietly in a hotel restaurant with DC after my meal, I want to enjoy my annual leave.

Im very miserable at home, DC knows to eat their dinner and not talk at the table. I hate putting my food in my mouth then someone asks you a question

I even eat my lunch alone at work as I cant stand it. I am miserable (not really) I just want to enjoy my food without having to stop/start/stop/start.

And dont get me started on people that talk with food IN their mouths

Definitely not if we're sat at a table - in a restaurant or a family's house.
When we're at home we eat on the sofa though as we don't have the space for a table 🤷🏼‍♀️

My little boy is allowed a phone/iPad if he so wishes when we are out in a restaurant.

I think it’s too much to expect him to partake in small chat over dinner, he hasn’t chosen to go out to a restaurant so why make it more difficult?! It is turned down very low, to the point we can barely hear it.

He is 3 but I have no issues with him using it as he gets older. I don’t judge others on how they chose to parent their child and would rather the child was happy.

We do all the time! The kids are being dragged out and are bored shitless, this way they get the iPad for a treat and we get peace and quiet for a treat and actually can enjoy the meal we’ve paid for! They have no sound and sit lovely and still. Far better for everyone, the other option is them shouting and trying to run about, and one or both of us constantly shushing them or making them sit still, so they’re fed up and we’re fed up and it just feels like a massive waste of money.
If they have their devices it’s wonderful for everyone.

Just to confirm only at restaurants, at home we sit around the table and chat while we eat, it’s lovely.

Not during the meal but if in a restaurant and waiting a long time for food or afterwards when everyone has finished eating and the adults want another drink then yes I let them.
At home - no, never any devices at the dinner table at all.

Yes. The OP and those like her will judge whatever I do.
If the kids are not on their tablets then they'll be making noise and running round while you're trying to enjoy a quiet meal. Your choice.

I wouldn't do it but wouldn't judge if headphones used in a family restaurant.

Not a chance personally I view it as rude so my child doesn't do it.

And tbh who cares what other families do as long as they aren't disrupting you. Judgemental crap like this is so shitty!

Yes we do