Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Flocon · 22/01/2022 18:41

I did think a bit like you OP. And then I had my own child and realised sometimes you've just got to do whatever it takes to get through a day.

EerieSilence · 22/01/2022 18:42

So what are parents trying to do eat at least one meal in peace to do? You're suggesting constant entertainment. Eat pizza with one hand while shaking a toy and making cute noises at the baby? Thank you.
I'm pretty sure there'll be lots of supermothers here who learned to make scrambled eggs with their toes and eat them telepathically while teaching their 1y old advanced calculus and playing chess and they'll tell you, the horror! the horror!

Perfect28 · 22/01/2022 18:42

I wonder if those saying 'not all children are the same' might connect the dots between parenting choices and behaviour?

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 22/01/2022 18:43

@WindyState don't have children if you need technology to amuse them so you can eat!
It's bad, lazy parenting. Simple as that!

Blossomtoes · 22/01/2022 18:43

@Flocon

I did think a bit like you OP. And then I had my own child and realised sometimes you've just got to do whatever it takes to get through a day.
This with knobs on. My parenting in practice was a million years away from the idealism that preceded giving birth.
PaddleBoardingMomma · 22/01/2022 18:43

Clearly op would have preferred their meal was accompanied by a screaming child, then she would of been here saying she's horrified people bring babies to restaurants and ruin it for everyone

Yumperwumpee · 22/01/2022 18:43

I wonder if those saying 'not all children are the same' might connect the dots between parenting choices and behaviour?

Mine had access to screens and is a quiet, well-behaved and bright child, who tbh rarely opts to watch them now even though I don't restrict his access. Invariably he reads or draws instead.

Ajl46 · 22/01/2022 18:44

@Giraffesandbottoms

Absolutely hate people using screens in restaurants, barring children having special needs. So lazy and sad - talk to your fucking children.
Oh gosh, I never thought of that!! 🤦🏻‍♀️ And when that doesn't work, books don't work and toys don't work, what then? Leave hungry I suppose?
BABAHOTEL · 22/01/2022 18:44

@Yumperwumpee

I wonder if those saying 'not all children are the same' might connect the dots between parenting choices and behaviour?

Mine had access to screens and is a quiet, well-behaved and bright child, who tbh rarely opts to watch them now even though I don't restrict his access. Invariably he reads or draws instead.

Exactly!
MrsBaublesDylan · 22/01/2022 18:44

We went to a Pizza Express just before Xmas, where two entitled parents sat having a row about why their toddler was crying and who's fault it was that they had taken him out to eat during nap time when he was over tired.

The child cried for the whole fucking meal.

If one of them could have pulled their head out of their arse's for long enough, a screen would have been excellent all round.

WindyState · 22/01/2022 18:46

[quote jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey]@WindyState don't have children if you need technology to amuse them so you can eat!
It's bad, lazy parenting. Simple as that![/quote]
I'll refer you to my previous sarcasm on this point.

Good parents occasionally need a bit of time off. This doesn't harm anyone. No parent - not a single one - has not at some point indulged in 'lazy parenting' in order to have a coffee, or do the dishes or whatever. It's literally impossible to be that perfect parent all the time.

So drop the "oh it's so LAZY I would never do that bullshit" because if you are a parent you totally have.

Piglet89 · 22/01/2022 18:46

@Giraffesandbottoms

No wonder so many women get PND if they have these ridiculous expectations about motherhood!

Yeah, I did have PND. Still recovering; it’s a nightmare.

But all PND is caused by is ridiculous expectations about motherhood and it’s totally within an individual’s control. Not a serious mental illness.

You’re pretty crass and lacking in empathy, aren’t you?

Bettyboop3 · 22/01/2022 18:48

I totally agree, how are children supposed to grow up learning to socialise when so many are stuck in front of screens to keep them quiet in social situations? Many other cultures do not view their offspring as inconvenient the way so mant British people do.

RobynNora · 22/01/2022 18:48

Dying to know the ages of the judgemental people’s own kids! Something I really like about parenting babies and toddlers is how live and let live we all become! Whatever you gotta do to survive - go forth without judgement.

Changechangychange · 22/01/2022 18:50

I’m impressed a seven month old has the concentration span to watch a whole Disney movie - DS was only able to manage that once he was in school.

IGotTheP0w3r · 22/01/2022 18:51

Op presumably has two very easy, well behaved, vegan, earth children Hmm
You literally have no idea what has gone on in their lives.
You should learn to not being so judgemental.
I went out for my DD3s best friends meal and her friend had an ALMIGHTY tantrum in the restaurant, the only thing that calmed her down was watching Babyshark, how do you know those two parents hadn't had a whole week of sleepless nights, tantrums, etc.
Put your beak away.

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 22/01/2022 18:52

@WindyState I grew up in a tv free home.
My children didn't have access to screens till the age of 11.
I've never used a screen in a restaurant or cafe , neither have my children.

CA0932017 · 22/01/2022 18:52

I expect you are the type of person that would moan if the baby was whinging and crying because it was bored. YABU. Parents were trying to keep baby entertained, that's all!

RegardingMary · 22/01/2022 18:53

I used to spend all day entertaining my little ones at that age. So you can bet your arse I'd pop a bit of cocomelon on if I was out, so I could enjoy my meal and ten minutes peace and quiet.

You've no idea about their day so don't bd so judgemental

Fieldofflowers1 · 22/01/2022 18:54

Honestly i would not care, wouldn't even bat an eyelid. Because for all you know that could have been the only time they had to themselves. Sometimes you just have to do whatever to get through the day.

JanuaryBluehoo · 22/01/2022 18:55

I have not read the thread but I find this sort of judgement so upsetting.

When I had my first baby I was in an absolutely awful horrendous way!
I had no idea family support apart from dh and going out was essential for me!
No we didn't have tablets or phones but I would have done anything to get out and feel normal again.
Please don't be cruel and judge!

Sam1111 · 22/01/2022 18:56

Why should this be of any concern to you though?
The chances of people agreeing with our particular parenting skills regardless of what they are are few and far between.. maybe it was one of the parents’ birthdays! I think people should concentrate on what’s going on in their own life and leave others alone to get on with theirs…

JanuaryBluehoo · 22/01/2022 18:56

And yes judgemental!!
Me too. All day, every day, every single minuet and hour!

Thehop · 22/01/2022 18:58

[quote Blue4YOU]@Thehop
A 4 month old in a jumparoo?? Get to fuck!!! That’s a major issue. At 4 months old…?[/quote]
I agree, 100%. Difficult to know what to say, I don’t really think I can say a word unless she asks me what I think.

So hard to see though. She’s also talking about forward facing him. I’ll share info on that and leave it with her.

GreenWheat · 22/01/2022 18:58

The problem with being judgemental about people you've never met before is that you are only seeing a snapshot with no other context. Everything needs context. If they do that several times a day, every day it's very different to doing it once in a while during the odd meal. You have no way of knowing which it is.