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.

If and when my baby cried in a public space I just left. Most people would.
It's only on mumsnet that everyone would whip out Disney plus for a 7 month old.

How silly when they'd be happy with a screen for half an hour

I don’t think it’s silly. I think it sets them up to think they can watch iPad every meal or every restaurant visit. It teaches them if they dick around (older children) they get screen time instead of interaction.

It’s also important, I think, to follow through as they grow “if you don’t sit nicely we will leave” and then leave. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Woofwoofbarkbark

Glad some people on here seem sensible

@tvcc I don't get judged for being a shit parent in pizza express either

@Giraffesandbottoms

How silly when they'd be happy with a screen for half an hour

I don’t think it’s silly. I think it sets them up to think they can watch iPad every meal or every restaurant visit. It teaches them if they dick around (older children) they get screen time instead of interaction.

It’s also important, I think, to follow through as they grow “if you don’t sit nicely we will leave” and then leave. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Not so easy for everyone though. I've never let my kids have screens in restaurants or pubs. But I'd never judge someone for doing so as long as it wasn't loud. I'd not go home and let a child potentially ruin an evening for the whole family when they could just have a screen for half an hour when they wait.

I agree wholeheartedly, always think it's very sad seeing children out and about glued to screens, missing valuable opportunities for interaction.
Some very defensive comments on this thread.

Me and DH don't have GP/relatives who can baby sit. If we go out for a meal we do sometimes give out DC iPads to keep them entertained. I want a adult conversation with my DH thanks .

Both my DC don't have a lot of screen time at home. Not that it's anyones business if they did. Despite having quite abit of screen time when we go out for a meal DD is now 4 and knows perfectly well how to behave at a restaurant/cafe. In fact I love going out for lunch just me and her we sit and have lovely conversations. She somehow learnt this and had the chance to see the world /interesting things in the other 23 hours of the day we weren't in restaurants/cafes.

My nephew watches telly constantly. Even in his cot! He also doesn't have a bed time. My sister said he just falls asleep when he's tired. Just on the floor amongst his toys. In his clothes.

We all know people can be shit with kids.
We could give this couple the benefit of the doubt or we could also realise they are probably like my sister and are just not very

Think you need to mind your own business, what they do with their child has absolutely nothing to do with you. Just pure nosey and judgemental.

I hate parent judging, there's just no need for it. Be. Kind.

@Tinygem

I agree wholeheartedly, always think it's very sad seeing children out and about glued to screens, missing valuable opportunities for interaction. Some very defensive comments on this thread.

Some heinously judgemental ones too.

@Giraffesandbottoms actually I think postnatal depression and anxiety is exacerbated by the idea that others are judging your kid and how you interact with them. Because, it turns out - they are.

I really hope you haven’t disclosed your opinions to your PND-suffering relative. Fine to spout them to total strangers on the Internet, though.

@Tinygem

I agree wholeheartedly, always think it's very sad seeing children out and about glued to screens, missing valuable opportunities for interaction. Some very defensive comments on this thread.

You agree with the term 'horrifc'? Really?

@Giraffesandbottoms

*What?! There are plenty of fun and exciting books for that age bracket.

That a 7 month old will look at on their own? Seriously, mine just lobbed everything on the floor at that age*

Why would they need to look at it on their own? Have they taken themselves off to pizza express by themselves?!

Maybe the parent wants to eat their pizza.

ODFO. Seriously. There's worst things to be horrified at, concentrate on your own little darlings.

Maybe you could have gone over and offered to entertain the baby so they could eat in peace. How do you know what’s happening in their lives?

Sadly we can’t all be Mary Poppins

PMSL at the “opportunities for interaction” comment.

Kids don’t need to be interacted with every second of the day.

We could give this couple the benefit of the doubt or we could also realise they are probably like my sister and are just not very

Very what? Very good at finishing the ends of sentences?

@Woofwoofbarkbark

If and when my baby cried in a public space I just left. Most people would. It's only on mumsnet that everyone would whip out Disney plus for a 7 month old.

That's not always practical. Restaurants frown on you ordering food and then leaving without paying.

*PMSL at the “opportunities for interaction” comment.

Kids don’t need to be interacted with every second of the day*

No but mealtimes are social events. Or used to be, anyway. Lots of families have “no screens at the table rules”. We do - for us as well because, Lord knows, we use our phones too much as well.

Christ I hated all sitting round the table together as a kid. That's why I used to read my book under the table.

OP it's not for you to parent or judge the parenting of other people.

I didn't give screens to my children at that age. But I sure as hell did not and do not judge if people do.

If you were as you were so horrified no doubt you stared at the family a little longer than usual.. kept looking over.. perhaps had a little whisper about them. You judged and they may have sensed your eyes on them and made them uncomfortable. Nothing gained for anyone

@Giraffesandbottoms

*PMSL at the “opportunities for interaction” comment.

Kids don’t need to be interacted with every second of the day*

No but mealtimes are social events. Or used to be, anyway. Lots of families have “no screens at the table rules”. We do - for us as well because, Lord knows, we use our phones too much as well.

A mealtime with a 7 month old isn't going to be a social event. The child has just started weaning and may well not be into food. The parents probably feel against the clock and want to eat and go.

@Goldbar

What? Who said anything about not paying?!! I said if I was in a public space with a crying baby I would leave. I did! I've done it. I've had 3 kids and I've had to leave places before. I would put Disney on for a baby and stay. Who's not paying?

You sound like a fucking tit

Would not!