To take a 3 year old to the Ritz at 17:30?

[PreschoolattheRitz]

We've been invited by grandparents at the end of April.

@oakleaffy - French and Dutch children maybe - I'm a member of a West End club that allows children in the dining room for Sunday lunch and is quite international. British French and Dutch children behave well, southern European children sit at the table but are very LOUD. Middle Eastern and south Asian children (boys in particular as I PP noted) wander around unchecked and often end up nearly tripping up the waiters. Obviously I'm generalising but no more than you were.

@Londonmummy66 i've had the opposite though - French children in NW London have been the worst behaved, and parents did very little to even attempt to keep the quiet / seated.

I honestly think it will make such a lovely photo for them to show their own grandchildren. Imagine, after describing lockdown showing a photo of yourself with their great greats. . Some things are worth a little inconvenience.

@5zeds

I think the issue is the impact on the other customers who may not find the the little inconvenience quite so lovely - unless perhaps they are in in the photo!

It’s tea time, it’s a public restaurant, there’s a children’s menu. Do you not think they’d refuse the booking if three year olds weren’t allowed ? They feel comfortable having a dress code. Reading the OPs posts her real issue seems to be the journey home is too tiring for her. She doesn’t want to drag her child across london at his bedtime.

@5zeds I get that you were much looser with routine than the OP. That's fine. But its also fine for the OP to be worried about it. She is also concerned about keeping her child occupied which is a legitimate concern too.

Parenting doesn't have to be all the same

@OhToBeASeahorse Of course parenting doesn’t have to be the same . I just don’t think the OP wants to go. Which is fine but the “reasons” she gives are really more focused on the journey home than the restaurant. She states quite clearly that she ate out a lot with her child before. She’s ASKING what other parents think. Telling her is not a criticism of her parenting.

Posters who are trying to maintain children shouldn’t be out having tea at a hotel with a children’s menu are IMO a little oddly anti-child. I’m sure the Ritz would be happy to reassure her if she rang them. I’d also be surprised if they couldn’t store her car seat and point her in the direction of a taxi.

I dont think the OP is asking though- its quite clear she has made her made up!

Absolutely not at 3. I wouldn't be able to relax for a second. The fear of wrecking people's special treat would be too much.
It is selfish to consider it. For your parents it may be an average afternoon out but for other people it's a one off treat.
And if it were our treat wrecked me and dp would be photo bombing minimum.