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

[PreschoolattheRitz]

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

It would be 100% unreasonable to take a tired grumpy 3 year old to a place where people are hoping to enjoy an expensive and quiet evening meal yes.

My DD has always been really well behaved in cafes and restaurants but I've never deliberately taken her after her bedtime when I know she would be unlikely to be on her best behaviour.

DD would’ve been fine at that age and probably would’ve charmed the waiters and refined guests with her pleasant, placid demeanour (and love of silently munching cake).

DS would’ve had us thrown out in under 5 minutes.

Doubt it’ll be open in April anyway, so don’t sweat it.

If it’s witching hour then why would you even consider it? Nope.

I don't think OP is. I think she's hoping we'll all say grandparents are mental. Which they are.

I wouldn't mind if they were just sitting quietly or playing something on a phone or tablet with no sound.

If they were playing a game or watching a show with sound on I would be annoyed. Same as if they were getting up and down or trying to interact with people on the surrounding tables.

I would & have done things like that with mine at a similar age but they were very used to it, could be trusted to behave etc. Other children I’ve known, no way! Totally depends on the child.

I think my DS would be fine as he loves afternoon tea but I'd prefer to go somewhere more relaxed - there are a few places in London that do specific kids afternoon teas which I'd go to.

Drip feed:

Husband's parents have been given a gift from their parents, to take us to the ritz including mine and my husband's three year old.

We've been summoned invited at the end of April at 17:30.

I'm going to have to decline and upset 4 people but I honestly can't see how this will be fun for ANYONE!

@Almostslimjim

I've just asked DH. His response:

It's a fucking mental idea.

Entirely mine and my husband's thoughts

@Iggly

If it’s witching hour then why would you even consider it? Nope.

I assure you, I'm not.

I don’t really have an issue with kids in restaurants, but I feel like there are certain places that exist with an unspoken rule that you don’t bring your kids. The Ritz is one of them.

Imagine, your grandparents pay all of that money only for your child to tantrum the whole way through, keep mithering for the toilet, fall asleep on you etc.

@katy1213

Horrendously unfair on anyone sitting near you.

Yep.

Be prepared for daggers if they play up!

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

It would be 100% unreasonable to take a tired grumpy 3 year old to a place where people are hoping to enjoy an expensive and quiet evening meal yes.

My DD has always been really well behaved in cafes and restaurants but I've never deliberately taken her after her bedtime when I know she would be unlikely to be on her best behaviour.

I completely agree

God awful place to bring a three year old.

Though they’re with the fairies if they think they’ll be going in April!

@Almostslimjim

If it’s witching hour then why would you even consider it? Nope.

I don't think OP is. I think she's hoping we'll all say grandparents are mental. Which they are.

Yep. And thank you xx

DD1 is good as gold and would have sat colouring in and chatting at that age and could do restaurants as long as there were sticker books or colouring in or books to look at from about age 2.
My DD2 is 2 and a half and I’m sure it’s not helped by the fact that she’s not been able to experience eating out very much thanks to all the lockdowns but she is more the ASBO child and I’d dread taking her to costa never mind the ritz.

@Floobydo

I would & have done things like that with mine at a similar age but they were very used to it, could be trusted to behave etc. Other children I’ve known, no way! Totally depends on the child.

Urgh

For tea or dinner? Dinner no way. Tea, I still think no but it's up to you. I've dined at the Ritz a few times (very few) and never seen young children. Might be different in the dining room though, tea is served in a different area. They have children's menus from what I can ascertain so I'm sure your LO would be welcome.

@OhCaptain

God awful place to bring a three year old.

Though they’re with the fairies if they think they’ll be going in April!

Yep hoping lockdown kills this idea DEAD

I wouldn't. DS is very into food (by which I mean greedy) and I've been able to almost guarantee he'd behave well in a restaurant since very small, and afternoon tea is the easiest meal of all - preschooler friendly food, served at a time that is frankly more appropriate for little children than adults! BUT that 'almost'... An expensive venue, with other guests likely to have high expectations they don't want ruined and where it's also a special occasion for you (I'm guessing, if the grandparents want to book this in now?) is just asking for the one episode of acting out atrociously from a child who can normally be relied on to behave impeccably. If they couldn't normally be relied upon to behave impeccably then even more so. Afternoon tea is a fine idea but I'd see if the adults are willing for it to be earlier and somewhere more relaxed - or, if tea at the Ritz is what your parents/in-laws really want, which is perfectly reasonable, then I'd view it as a child-free occasion.

There's no special occasion. It's just because they really like the ritz. They generally don't stay anywhere else etc

Anyway. I've probably said enough!

It's a lovely idea, and I appreciate it.

I just think it's a bad idea and would cause stress for my husband and me, and generally be a rubbish evening

Lovely idea, bad idea.. you know what I mean

@MidnightHangingTree

I wouldn't mind if they were just sitting quietly or playing something on a phone or tablet with no sound.

If they were playing a game or watching a show with sound on I would be annoyed. Same as if they were getting up and down or trying to interact with people on the surrounding tables.

I'd be annoyed by that in Nando's, never mind the Ritz!