Horrified at 7month old in pizza express with screen

[MadeinSW3]

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.

Every parent from time to time will take the easy option.

There is nothing wrong with occasionally doing what is needed to get 5 minutes peace or eat your food while it’s still warm.

You don’t need to be interacting with your child 24/7

I don’t understand what this has to do with class. Nothing as far as I can see.
And no, I’m not doing it so people don’t judge me, or so that you think I’m a good parent. I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks. I’m doing it because in my view babies and toddlers don’t need screens. Little one has sat at the table with us since she was a newborn, when we had to get a newborn attachment for her high chair for other reasons. She’s used to it and doesn’t play up.
I was never parked in front of a tv as a child either. I grew up with my grandparents and usually liked being with my grandmother in the kitchen to see what she was doing. Later I loved joining in. They are among my happiest memories as a child. As are colouring books, play doh, pretending to serve tea, and watching the world go by. So I’d like my child to have an opportunity to enjoy these things too before she’s older and her life inevitably becomes about screens.

As are colouring books, play doh, pretending to serve tea, and watching the world go by

You do realise many children do those things and yet also have access to screens occasionally?

I'd have been horrified too. I always used to prop a Shakespeare play up in front of my DCs when they were little.

My parents gave me a Bible when I was 5 for my main Christmas present. It had three pictures in it. A very cross prophet, the Galilee, and a centurion.

The simple truth is you just want to judge and feel superior. Why not just come out and say that?

It’s good to be king, if just for a while.

Screens for little ones is just lazy arse parenting!
No other excuse for it!
I don't care if that offends people, it's the truth.
If you can't engage with your child in a restaurant or other place without the help of technology then you need to look at yourself as a parent

@PropertyFlipper

Utterly grim. You'll get the usual posse who'll bleat that this is only a snapshot of the family's life. Why give a baby a screen? My DC went out for dinner regularly from babyhood and loved looking around them. We never had to resort a screen. Useless parenting if you ask me.

What if you'd had a child who didn't love looking around them when in restaurants? One that loved running around, maybe?

@EarlGreywithLemon

I don’t understand what this has to do with class. Nothing as far as I can see. And no, I’m not doing it so people don’t judge me, or so that you think I’m a good parent. I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks. I’m doing it because in my view babies and toddlers don’t need screens. Little one has sat at the table with us since she was a newborn, when we had to get a newborn attachment for her high chair for other reasons. She’s used to it and doesn’t play up. I was never parked in front of a tv as a child either. I grew up with my grandparents and usually liked being with my grandmother in the kitchen to see what she was doing. Later I loved joining in. They are among my happiest memories as a child. As are colouring books, play doh, pretending to serve tea, and watching the world go by. So I’d like my child to have an opportunity to enjoy these things too before she’s older and her life inevitably becomes about screens.

Yep, most kids like all that stuff too. Maybe not at 7 months old though.

@Yumperwumpee

As are colouring books, play doh, pretending to serve tea, and watching the world go by

You do realise many children do those things and yet also have access to screens occasionally?

I’m afraid in my experience screens are addictive - for adults and children. Even if their time on screens is limited by the parents it becomes a battle for screen time. I just don’t want that.

This is a pet peeve of mine. Don’t stick it on an iPad unless it’s wearing earphones. I’m sick of having meals out ruined by people with babies and young children with bloody peppa pig or whatever blaring out deafening other diners.

It’s as though the parents can’t hear how loud they are being. It’s so annoying and inconsiderate. Also how are children supposed to learn manners and how to behave at the table if no one interacts with them. It’s lazy parenting at its finest.

How horrible to sit there judging.
We are all just doing our best, they gave the baby a screen not a joint.
I put my 3 year old in a buggy once to nip to the bank and called out by a woman who claimed to be a physio, saying my child should be encouraged to walk.
I told her I'm also a physio and actually my child was in the buggy because she had previously spent hours walking around a lake and was knackered. Not that it was ANY of her business.
My DC watched screens when they were young, 2 now have masters degrees in AI, non wear glasses.

@EarlGreywithLemon

I don’t understand what this has to do with class. Nothing as far as I can see. And no, I’m not doing it so people don’t judge me, or so that you think I’m a good parent. I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks. I’m doing it because in my view babies and toddlers don’t need screens. Little one has sat at the table with us since she was a newborn, when we had to get a newborn attachment for her high chair for other reasons. She’s used to it and doesn’t play up. I was never parked in front of a tv as a child either. I grew up with my grandparents and usually liked being with my grandmother in the kitchen to see what she was doing. Later I loved joining in. They are among my happiest memories as a child. As are colouring books, play doh, pretending to serve tea, and watching the world go by. So I’d like my child to have an opportunity to enjoy these things too before she’s older and her life inevitably becomes about screens.

Good for you.

You realise children aren't all the same, right?

For 2 years whenever I tried to eat out with my eldest one of us would invariably end up taking him outside and walking up and down the street because he wouldn't sit in a high chair without kicking off.

Eventually in order to have a meal which we didn't eat in shifts we let him watch a couple of episodes of peppa while we ate.

Big fucking deal.

The point is, people who go around judging others based on tiny snapshots and being smug about their perfect parenting can GTF.

@EarlGreywithLemon

I don’t understand what this has to do with class. Nothing as far as I can see. And no, I’m not doing it so people don’t judge me, or so that you think I’m a good parent. I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks. I’m doing it because in my view babies and toddlers don’t need screens. Little one has sat at the table with us since she was a newborn, when we had to get a newborn attachment for her high chair for other reasons. She’s used to it and doesn’t play up. I was never parked in front of a tv as a child either. I grew up with my grandparents and usually liked being with my grandmother in the kitchen to see what she was doing. Later I loved joining in. They are among my happiest memories as a child. As are colouring books, play doh, pretending to serve tea, and watching the world go by. So I’d like my child to have an opportunity to enjoy these things too before she’s older and her life inevitably becomes about screens.

You do realise not all children are the same? You e obviously raised a side coal angel, but not every child is like yours?

How tall is your ivory tower?

So what if they used a screen to distract the child while they ate. Whats the hatred towards screens. Its going to be a major part of their life when they grow up. many childrens programs are not only entertaining but educational. At 7 months they are still learning word sounds and absorbing everything around them. at this age they love repetition and so listening to Barney singing I love you you love me on a loop isnt detrimental. its part of the development at that age.
I couldnt get worked up about it tbh.

I’m afraid in my experience screens are addictive - for adults and children. Even if their time on screens is limited by the parents it becomes a battle for screen time. I just don’t want that.

Tell that to my 6 year old then. He's had access to screens pretty much since I can remember and he's currently sat reading Fantastic Mr Fox. Hasn't asked for the TV all day.

"I’m afraid in my experience screens are addictive - for adults and children. Even if their time on screens is limited by the parents it becomes a battle for screen time. I just don’t want that"

Most things are addictive if you overdo it. My parents used to be infuriated when I spent all day reading.

The key is balance. A bit of screen time doesn't hurt anyone.

I wonder how many "I wouldn't allow my child any screen time" have happily, without an sense of irony, put the t.v on so that they can have a cuppa in peace whist Junior stares at the...oh what's it called??..oh that's right screen.

@TimBoothseyes

I wonder how many "I wouldn't allow my child any screen time" have happily, without an sense of irony, put the t.v on so that they can have a cuppa in peace whist Junior stares at the...oh what's it called??..oh that's right screen.

Only if it's on the history channel obs!

Sounds like someone should have plopped you in front of an ipad, it's rude to stare at other people when they are eating OP

Poor feckers probably just wanted to eat their dough balls in peace.

My parents used to be infuriated when I spent all day reading.

Right?! I used to get bollocked by my Dad for reading my book under the table. And we had screen access!

I DO judge lazy parenting but I keep my thoughts to myself and repeat the mantra: None of my damn business.

At the door of the day, I appreciate hot pizza.

Yes but you can give them toys or books or a rattle though! I get that the parents wanted some peace! A book would have done!

I was you, OP. Before I had my son. He simply will not sit for long at the table without some screen time. My husband and I want to speak to each other and eat our meal for a little while without having to entertain him and keep him from just being generally hyperactive.

I can also relate to the person who said they had to walk about with their son at some stage during a meal. Believe me, we feel exhausted and frazzled enough without your judgment.

I just hate judgy people like this now.

Very judgemental, aren't you... None of your business. Not child abuse. Basically keep your nose out of other folks business otherwise it might come back to bite YOU.