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's not just the long drawn out meal over whiching hour of things your DC doesnt eat, it's also you having to get them home at the end of it. Even if they are good as gold during the meal, the joy will wear off quickly as you wrangle a knackered pissed off child home.

@Cautionsharpblade

If I were paying through the teeth for tea at the Ritz and a 3 year old ruined it, I'd be fucking fizzing.

Me too. I can’t believe anyone would think it’s a good idea.

@TodgerStrunk

It's not just the long drawn out meal over whiching hour of things your DC doesnt eat, it's also you having to get them home at the end of it. Even if they are good as gold during the meal, the joy will wear off quickly as you wrangle a knackered pissed off child home.

Exactly. We're SW London so a fair trek away.

Not to jinx everyone else but I'm hoping for lockdown to continue.

OP i'm sorry if I missed it

But have the people who invited you specified they want the children there?

Couldn't the adults go and enjoy?

We took a 3 year old and a 9 month old to the Langham for my MIL's birthday tea. They gave us a really cosy nook where kids couldn't escape and the endless cake was amazing for the 3yo. Just avoid snacks and sweets for a day or so before and take them for a walk beforehand. We also found sticker books and a small noiseless phone (not ipad screen) worked at the hour ish mark when they were getting cranky.

@Cissyandflora

It depends on the child. I would - but my children are very well behaved.

😂😂😂

No. It's not a harvester.

I can recall being in a nice restaurant (not the Ritz) several years ago and the kids were playing noisy games on tablets. The indulgent parents appeared oblivious to the effect they were having. People on several tables complained and they had to leave prematurely. We were all served free champagne as compensation.

@Palavah

Don't. You can't wear jeans so imagine a 3 year old (unless you can guarantee it being seen and not heard) would go down like a lead balloon.

Our 3 year old granddaughter accompanied us to afternoon tea at the Balmor in Edinburgh, not exactly the Ritz but still very swish. She behaved beautifully and the staff were wonderful towards her, she was given so many tiny treats. I would not like to have taken her a 5.30 though, this was around 3pm.

I used to eat out with my children all the time at the age so yes I would take them.

Just asked my DH if he would take our 3 year old to the ritz...

His response.... are you insane? With a look of horror on his face.

I mean taking her into Costa is bad enough and with lockdown we havent been able to do any proper behavioural training in outdoor settings

The fact we will be in lockdown till march there is a strong possibility that the mixing of households we still not be going ahead by April

@AcornAutumn

OP i'm sorry if I missed it

But have the people who invited you specified they want the children there?

Couldn't the adults go and enjoy?

Yes specified.

@I8toys

No. It's not a harvester.

Hahaha

Are baby sitters scarce in SW London, OP?

I would not put a child on a screen in the Ritz.

Firstly its possible it won’t even be open then. Would it be possible for them to arrange the tea for another date and earlier time if you explained how difficult the timing was? They do a number of tea sittings a day at the Ritz, I think there is one around 130 and one at 3.30. From my experience the wait list for the 330 slot is far longer than the 530 slot. We had to book many months in advance to get a good day and slot for my mothers 70th birthday afternoon tea there. When we went there were people with kids there but they were well behaved so if they are going to run around I’d say no or be willing to take out. It’s nice they want to treat you all to this. I’d be fine with our now 4 year old and likewise when he was 3 but would not have taken him as a baby as he had colic and when he was a toddler he was constantly running around. Each child is different if you feel they can’t go surely the family would understand. It is a very nice treat though would you consider a baby sitter?

@Cautionsharpblade

If I were paying through the teeth for tea at the Ritz and a 3 year old ruined it, I'd be fucking fizzing.

My thoughts entirely .

To clarify, when I say three I mean newly 3. Not nearly 4 which is slightly different

@VinylDetective

Are baby sitters scarce in SW London, OP?

No. But they like doing things all together

My DD would have loved it at that age and we’d have got dressed up and brought activities and she’d have enjoyed the treat and been good as gold. My DS would have insisted on wearing a Batman suit, had a good walk round all the tables waving at people and wouldn’t have been able to sit still. We’d have had a 20 minute window before he got bored, max. Depends very much on the child.

Oh I think this could be brilliant: you and DH leave DCnewly3 to the grandparents and pop off yourself to Nandos!! They can have all the fun, while you do too..in peace! 😂

@katy1213

Horrendously unfair on anyone sitting near you.

Don't judge all children on yours

@yetmorenamechanging

Oh I think this could be brilliant: you and DH leave DCnewly3 to the grandparents and pop off yourself to Nandos!! They can have all the fun, while you do too..in peace! 😂

Oh my god. I would love this.

Halloumi and mushroom pitta with extra halloumi, chips and garlic bread. More halloumi and the houmous and chilli oil.

I would do it if it was earlier I.e. 3pm. They must know 5.30 is too late for a toddler once you've eaten and got them.home it will be way past bedtime won't it? Unfair on them and you, for you all to have a chance of enjoying it can you ask them to make it earlier?
Although I suppose it's unlikely to happen anyway. Sounds like a nice treat after all this lockdown crap though.

@Lightwindows

I would do it if it was earlier I.e. 3pm. They must know 5.30 is too late for a toddler once you've eaten and got them.home it will be way past bedtime won't it? Unfair on them and you, for you all to have a chance of enjoying it can you ask them to make it earlier? Although I suppose it's unlikely to happen anyway. Sounds like a nice treat after all this lockdown crap though.

It won't be a treat for me or my husband though! Getting a toddler/preschooler back from central London at 8pm when they're normally in bed for 7?!?!

It's crazy