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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Horrified at 7month old in pizza express with screen

999 replies

MadeinSW3 · 22/01/2022 15:00

I went for lunch today at pizza express, there was a couple giving their ?7month old a bottle with a screen propped up with something Disney to watch. They then plopped baby into high chair and put something else on during whole time at the stable. How can people be so stupid! The baby was looking around elsewhere for something more interesting.

OP posts:
Somethingsnappy · 22/01/2022 17:10

@MadeinSW3

I have three children, the waiter asked how old and we heard. I personally don’t like iPads at the table but if people need them for children then fine. There is no excuse for a 7 MONTH old looking at a screen!
They don't need to provide you with an excuse....
Croissantly · 22/01/2022 17:10

There's always some competitive under parenting on here and faux outrage at someone being outraged. I can get it for a toddler, but for a 7 month old it's grim.

Justgettingbye · 22/01/2022 17:10

@MadeinSW3

I have three children, the waiter asked how old and we heard. I personally don’t like iPads at the table but if people need them for children then fine. There is no excuse for a 7 MONTH old looking at a screen!
Why just are you so angry about it tho? And you don't know anything about that baby
BABAHOTEL · 22/01/2022 17:11

@Yumperwumpee

Latin for beginners at 6, surely they were intermediate!

That was my fault; I was slack. When he was a baby he momentarily caught a glimpse of Peppa Pig through someone else's window as we walked by, so that obviously harmed his cerebral development irreparably.

Well at least you've acknowledged it.
Ponoka7 · 22/01/2022 17:11

My Nan used to take me to Kirkby market and park me up in my silver cross. Very often she'd forget that I was with her and would run back, or one of the neighbours brought me back. Read the threads on here about 1970's parenting and she wasn't unusual. I don't think parenting has got any worse, I know it's got a lot better in some ways and anyone who says different is lying. But, it all comes out in the wash.

Ponoka7 · 22/01/2022 17:12

I'd also like to know how she knows the baby is 7 months.

Ricksteinsfishwife · 22/01/2022 17:12

If my daughter was young now and I was out for a meal I’d not think twice about sitting her in front of a screen, as parents we do not have to entertain our children every waking moment, nor do we need to interact with them every waking moment, life is a balance and occasionally for an hour or two it’s fine to sit them in front of a screen when you want some quiet time, and it is good for them to entertain themselves and not one hundred percent always be the focus of attention.

Christ when mine was young I’d shove a tellytubby video on the tv whilst I got chores done like make her brekkie or do laundry, she’s not been damaged by it, the thought is ludicrous.

All this oh they need to have chewable books, one hundred percent of your attention, wooden toys, no screens ever, constantly entertained is just ridiculous.

Tinacollada · 22/01/2022 17:13

This is an upsetting thread

I hope the baby at least managed to enjoy some olive tapenade and a dough ball

BABAHOTEL · 22/01/2022 17:14

@Ponoka7

I'd also like to know how she knows the baby is 7 months.
Apparently the very very nosy and judgemental OP was not only monitoring the other table, knowing the baby wasn't interested in the iPad and was plopped in the chair, she was also listening to their conversations.

All whilst not listening to her own three children who she perfectly parents!

EarlGreywithLemon · 22/01/2022 17:14

I completely agree OP. Yes, I do have a toddler, no, I don’t give her screens to watch, in restaurants or anywhere else.

cleaning247 · 22/01/2022 17:14

It's a screen. Not crack cocaine.

BABAHOTEL · 22/01/2022 17:15

@EarlGreywithLemon

I completely agree OP. Yes, I do have a toddler, no, I don’t give her screens to watch, in restaurants or anywhere else.
It wasn't a toddler, it was a seven month old.
NotNee · 22/01/2022 17:16

I personally don’t like iPads at the table but if people need them for children then fine.

I would never give my 7 month old an android tablet.

Yumperwumpee · 22/01/2022 17:16

There's always some competitive under parenting on here

I know you can be underwhelmed, and you can be overwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?

Yes, I do have a toddler, no, I don’t give her screens to watch, in restaurants or anywhere else.

Here's your medal. Enjoy.

BABAHOTEL · 22/01/2022 17:16

@NotNee

I personally don’t like iPads at the table but if people need them for children then fine.

I would never give my 7 month old an android tablet.

😂
Momicrone · 22/01/2022 17:16

Cleaning247, screens and cocaine both provide a dopamine hit

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 22/01/2022 17:17

Yeah it’s shit parenting. You do have to socialise your children a little bit.

Yumperwumpee · 22/01/2022 17:17

It's a screen. Not crack cocaine.

I mean you frequently get people on this website claiming sugar is as addictive as cocaine, so the hyperbole shouldn't be surprising.

Yumperwumpee · 22/01/2022 17:19

You do have to socialise your children a little bit.

OP saw this child for what, maybe 2 hours at the most at Pizza Express. How are you to ascertain from that snapshot that the parents aren't socialising the baby Confused

EarlGreywithLemon · 22/01/2022 17:19

@BABAHOTEL sorry, I should have made myself clear: I’ve never parked her in front of a screen: not at 3 months, or 7 months, or at 8 months, or at 18 months. Not in a car, restaurant, at home, waiting room etc.

Yumperwumpee · 22/01/2022 17:19

Cleaning247, screens and cocaine both provide a dopamine hit

Oh look, I knew someone would say it!

Giraffesandbottoms · 22/01/2022 17:20

Are you one of those people OP that would also come on here to bitch if the same child was making a noise while you ate?

This is a valid point though. I think it would be better if people in this country were more relaxed about general children noise. Then people wouldn’t feel the need to use screen times etc

EarlGreywithLemon · 22/01/2022 17:20

@Yumperwumpee

There's always some competitive under parenting on here

I know you can be underwhelmed, and you can be overwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?

Yes, I do have a toddler, no, I don’t give her screens to watch, in restaurants or anywhere else.

Here's your medal. Enjoy.

Thank you. I will.
Butchyrestingface · 22/01/2022 17:20

@MadeinSW3

I have three children, the waiter asked how old and we heard. I personally don’t like iPads at the table but if people need them for children then fine. There is no excuse for a 7 MONTH old looking at a screen!
And to think they say MN is a sheltered workshop for the middle class...

I genuinely thought this was going to be a thread about a baby being forced fed deep fried mars bar pizza. So disappointing. Sad

TabithaTittlemouse · 22/01/2022 17:20

I don’t really care what others do with their children.
I didn’t allow screens when little (although they are making up for it now) but I’m sure that I did/do things that other people wouldn’t do.

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