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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:
Fletchersromancing · 22/01/2022 15:08

If it keeps the baby occupied while the parents have a quick meal who are you to judge. Would rather have a quiet baby then a screaming baby if I was eating in a restaurant.

Teddybar · 22/01/2022 15:09

Now I’ve come to the conclusion that every parent is trying their best and not to judge.

Every parent?

sweetieqie · 22/01/2022 15:09

@Thatsplentyjack

How do you know that not the only thing that will keep the child entertained while they get an hour or less to have some lunch. Get over yourself!

At 7 months old? I don't buy it. They're so small they're interested in anything. Give them a piece of food, a toy, talk to them?

A child that young isn't even interested in screens like op rightly said!

stmw321 · 22/01/2022 15:10

You should come and work with me for a day in my children's safeguarding job, THEN you'll be horrified.

In the kindest way, get a grip.

MilduraS · 22/01/2022 15:10

I really don't see the problem with using it as a distraction while the parents are eating. Then again, I spend a lot of time on my phone so I'd be a hypocrite if I did.

alalsiettol · 22/01/2022 15:10

If the baby wasn't even interested enough to watch the screen what on Earth have you got to be horrified about. You saw a snapshot of that child's life and judged.

vodkaredbullgirl · 22/01/2022 15:11
Shock
Teddybar · 22/01/2022 15:11

@stmw321

You should come and work with me for a day in my children's safeguarding job, THEN you'll be horrified.

In the kindest way, get a grip.

That's quite a low bar surely- ah it's okay as some children are sadly badly abused so everything else is fine Confused
Sleepdeprived42long · 22/01/2022 15:11

@stmw321 yep I think a lot of MNetters have led very sheltered lives!

RiskyCookie · 22/01/2022 15:11

Horrified is a bit strong.

This isn't horrifying.

Glitterbells · 22/01/2022 15:12

I’m horrified you are so judgemental.
They may spend all of the time doing the ‘right’ thing.
This may be the only way they can have some peace for a one off meal. They may have no family support etc. Honestly just butt out I don’t know how anyone could be so wound up about this.
It’s pretty sad actually
Mind your own business.

BABAHOTEL · 22/01/2022 15:12

They plopped the child in the high chair, always such emotive language when people disapprove of others!

They didn't plop it, they put it.

But for extra drama, let's say plopped.

Also eat your own food, speak to people yours with and stop looking at the seven month old and what they're doing.

Spilltheteaplease · 22/01/2022 15:13

I meant screens aren't great especially for little babies but that might be the only screen time they're having the whole day/weekend and they just want 30 mins of peace to eat their pizza.

User2638483 · 22/01/2022 15:13

MN pearl clutching at its best 😂

buzzy06 · 22/01/2022 15:14

@MilduraS

I really don't see the problem with using it as a distraction while the parents are eating. Then again, I spend a lot of time on my phone so I'd be a hypocrite if I did.
You're right, there's an irony to it, but these are little children being ingrained to use a screen.

Screens aren't even the problem per se. My kids watch tv, but the dependence on it and the bad habits being enforced. There are other ways to engage a child as you eat.

My personal opinion but screens when outside are completely unnecessary. The world around you is enough entertainment as a kid

hazidaze · 22/01/2022 15:14

The baby looked calm and was smiling when looking away from screen

So what's the issue?

ParkheadParadise · 22/01/2022 15:14

I prefer Pizza Hut

Hedonism · 22/01/2022 15:15

Fucking horrific. And Disney too 😱

2/10.

FourTeaFallOut · 22/01/2022 15:15

That's quite a low bar surely- ah it's okay as some children are sadly badly abused so everything else is fine

You see, that's MN in a nutshell. There is a gulf of language between fine and horrified. There's a world between sub-par parenting and horrific parenting.

Caspianberg · 22/01/2022 15:18

Babies are relentless. Most people have no family help. If someone is trying to keep baby from screaming down restaurant whilst they eat a pizza 30 mins then what’s the problem.

Ds is a year older, so getting a little better. But I remember last year, we hadn’t really been anywhere since he was born due to covid lockdowns and i took him out to a cafe for lunch. He wouldn’t stop crying, I was trying to breastfeed him to calm down and he wouldn’t. My food and drink arrived, and whilst trying to soothe him the couple next to me got all irate about how they hadn’t paid to come out to be harassed by a baby. Ds was sleeping 30 min stints at that point, and I was like a walking zombie trying to function.
I just left, upset, and having not had chance to touch meal or drink.
I still feel ansty taking him out now to eat, and only go if dh is with me.

Giraffesandbottoms · 22/01/2022 15:18

Absolutely hate people using screens in restaurants, barring children having special needs. So lazy and sad - talk to your fucking children.

Seemssounfair · 22/01/2022 15:19

If there was no volume on I would have thought it was a bit of lazy parenting, but none of my business.

If there was volume on I would have complained to staff.

Krieger · 22/01/2022 15:22

I'm horrified that people still use pizza express

Wineisoverrated · 22/01/2022 15:23

I once sat in a Starbucks cafe with my eldest in a high chair watching my phone when we were going through a family crisis.

I had slept about an hour in three days and was at breaking point. I needed ten minutes of just not being mummy before I simply broke down crying.

You never know what someone else is going through. You see a baby watching a phone with a bottle as mum and dad eat a lovely meal. Mum and dad may have just decided to end their relationship and have met to discuss it, mum and dad could have just received awful news, have buried a loved one, have lost their jobs or received a diagnosis and just for the length of a single course of a meal needed not to be completely attentive parents.

Life happens and you do the best with what you have. Be less judgemental.

EarringsandLipstick · 22/01/2022 15:23

@Giraffesandbottoms

Absolutely hate people using screens in restaurants, barring children having special needs. So lazy and sad - talk to your fucking children.
God relax.

I don't love it myself, not my choice

But what other people choose to do with their children, within the bounds of legality & safety, is their business.

The level of engagement parents choose to have with their 'fucking children' 🙄 is down to them.

There's no need to be so aggressive in your language and hyperbolic (you & OP both on that one)

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