About these parents letting their toddler run riot in a restaurant?

[Cheeseoncrumpets]

I want to start by saying that I have no issue with children being in restaurants, but this really did take the piss IMO.

Went out with a friend to a well known chain restaurant for lunch. Very family friendly and lots of families there as a result. As above I have no problem with that, however one couple who unforunately were sat in the booth right behind us, continually let their toddler run riot.

The restauarnt have high chairs available but they had for whatever reason chosen not to use one and he was sat on the seat next to his parents. He kept getting down and running off, firstly he ran right over to the otherside of the restaurant then towards the serving hatch area where staff are collecting hot food, and finally towards the kitchen doors which suddenly prompted the father to go and retrieve him. They sat him down and kept trying to pacify him with lots of 'no don't do that Charlie' (not his real name), 'would you like to play on Mummy's phone Charlie?'. He then kept trying to climb over the booth, and was at one point standing on the seats. At no point did either parent do much to get him under control other than utter a half arsed 'dont do that Charlie'. A walk outside usually works IME.

Eventually he climbed down and went to sleep on the floor next to their table cuddling a soft toy, meaning staff and customers had to either step over him or walk around him. Both parents sat there and just gazed at him adoringly before paying the bill, scooping him up in their arms and leaving.

I'd like to stress I know this wasnt the little boy's fault. He wasnt any older than about two, was clearly bored and just wanted to go off and explore like toddlers do. Im just a bit shocked that either parent thought this was acceptable parenting?

AIBU to think that some parents are incrediably entitled and expect everyone else to tolerate their kids?

My sincerest apologies for not realising that you draw the line at your toddler sitting on the table without his trousers on.

howrudeforme

I do fully agree and this is exactly what I do...

But if my toddler became difficult to manage and throwing a tantrum and I have an option between sitting him on the table or leaving the restaurant..

What I usually do is, sit him on the table and finish my food and leave.

And I wouldn’t like to be judged for that by parents.

I am yet to be convinced that this is infringement on others.

I do not let him wander around the restaurant without me one meter away from him. Certainly he won’t be interacting at individual tables but might be toddling around.. I do let that happen if waiting for food takes long and he usually want to explore a new place before he settles down.

It’s managed. Just not strictly,

There is absolutely no risk as he would be right Infront of me..

And when on the table he is watched by both me and his dad..

It’s a last resort. I do do it. Not becahse I want to but because it’s convenient.

It’s our pizza or our plate being served. I don’t do that in fancy restaurants but that’s also why I avoid fancy restaurants. But a chain, I most probably am not gonna cut a whole planned outing because my kid is stressing out.

Not saying it’s ultimate table manners, but I’m saying I give leaway to kids until they learn.

And I think I’m a great parent

I’m still learning on the job but I will certainly not accept being told I’m a bad parent because my 19 month old wasn’t behaving like a disciplined school kid.

tillytrotter1

Hahaha you’re soooooo witty
I would probably change him on the table and put some of the chocolate on your plate.

There, that should add some spicy drama to your narrative

Funny story?

I’m actually a complete doormat who never stood up to my MIL, and the only time I did stand up to her was when she was pressuring me to change my son I’m a restaurant where we were invited by my friend.. on the chairs next to the table.

That was when I learnt how to say “No” and snatch my son away and believed she was making a scene out of me Infront of my friend.

So there there, Im Not that “selfish”.. far from

I just don’t think kids have a price to pay for “expectations”. We try and unless it’s infringig on someone’s rights then failing is a lesson for another day

Goodness. This is still going on. It really has confirmed that some people really do believe that the whole world revolved round them and their child and that everyone else should find them as adorable as they do.

It's quite mind boggling how blinkered and self absorbed some can be.

Look, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t on one hand say that you won’t stop doing something unhygienic in a public space used by everyone, and then say you don’t want to be judged for that decision.

YANBU. The main reason high chairs have straps is to keep kids in them.

BenWillbondsPants

Thank you you make me blush

@BenWillbondsPants This is why I love these threads. There’s always that one person who proves the mentality behind the original post.

WhoTellsYourStory

You are very welcome

@WhoTellsYourStory isn't there just. 😂

@MrsNotNice

Unless I'm very much mistaken, I'm not convinced that @BenWillbondsPants was being complimentary

Mydogmylife

Oh I’m sooo heartbroken I was waiting for that compliment all day , thank you verrry much for pointing out the obvious

@MrsNotNice

but sadly you don't seem to pick up on the obvious elsewhere so .........

Yanbu

There is a “family friendly” carvery type of place where the family seating is separate from the adults seating.

The family seating is the layer of Hell Dante never plumbed the depths of. Shockingly poor parenting, terribly behaved children and a generally dangerous working atmosphere for the staff who are just trying to bring out hot meals aka their job.

I went once, never again.

It’s not the fact that it’s annoying. He’s a toddler, He’s not going to have impeccable manners and eat like he’s dining with the Queen.
However it’s the safety factor that would have my nerves shot. There could have been any predator in there just looking to snatch a child. Also I’m sure the parents would have been up in arms had a hot drink spilled on Charlie

In most cases it’s a relatively short time they are tricky the stage from being mobile to being vaguely ready for school and sitting nicely say 4 ish. If you can’t control your child during that window of their development don’t eat out. It’s no fun for you anyway.

Wonder if OP would like to explain why he’s on a parenting website when he decides to use a phrase like ‘breeders’ to describe parents

Show me the child until they are seven and I will show you the adult (to amend an old phrase).

The parents who accept such behaviour are those who will probably have to pay in a sense when their child is older. You may witness one example of unacceptable behaviour, they will have many more.

If you object and/or intervene in a way you are helping them.

The reason we kept our DD quiet and entertained was because we didn't want to ruin others meal not for her benefit(although she did learn acceptable behaviour when out).
Pizza hut in school holiday times my idea of hell.Pizza express gave out colouring pencils which suggested'keep your kids entertained' and most there seem well behaved.
Mind you at home DD has to sit at the table nicely until others were finished.When she was old enough she could ask to leave the table but was expected to entertain herself until we had finished.I just did what my parents did to us.

When did it become normal to allow your child to act like the brat You are ? It is possible to use a cafe etc without allowing children to run wild if you can be arsed being a parent.

I live in a country where it is the norm for children to run around, yell, throw food etc. It is truly awful and it doesn't matter what time of day it is, they will be there.

The only time I see them shut up is when they are glued to a screen.

People treat their dogs the same way. Oh he's cute oh he's just playing oh she just wants attention.

Control your child or leave the restaurant. My mother wouldn't have dreamed of allowing us to act like that in public.

Where is that?