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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:
Woofwoofbarkbark · 22/01/2022 20:44

How do you bribe a baby??

"Come on , crawl for mummy. I'll give you 10 chocolate buttons"

Thatsplentyjack · 22/01/2022 20:45

@Sockpile

I thinks that’s really sad, babies get so much just from watching the world around them.
And some don't give a fuck what's going on around them and just scream.
Goldbar · 22/01/2022 20:45

@Scrunchies

Can I ask all the super mums how you do it then? I rarely go out, but when I do there’s not a chance in hell my 18mo would sit quietly in a high chair for even 2 minutes. She won’t look at books, toys etc, she would scream, throw then around. Doesn’t care for food or snacks really, wouldn’t tolerate me reading or talking to her she’d shriek and just want to be out running around. She’s a bloody nightmare to be honest. For 29 days of the month or whatever I’d spend all day in the park, outside, running her around, but the one rare time I’d like a coffee, I’d have to use a screen. What else am I supposed to do? Some children just don’t sit quietly in high chairs.
You received a defective model. Send her back to the manufacturer and ask for another one.
Fhjutftjvddww · 22/01/2022 20:45

Anyone who thinks this is acceptable can only be an uneducated idiot. Disgraceful parenting. Stop kidding yourselves that this is ok.

Woofwoofbarkbark · 22/01/2022 20:47

There wouldn't be a single parenting book or course out there that would recommend this. Or professional!!

Yumperwumpee · 22/01/2022 20:47

Anyone who thinks this is acceptable can only be an uneducated idiot. Disgraceful parenting. Stop kidding yourselves that this is ok.

You name changed just to post that 🤣

Sirzy · 22/01/2022 20:47

@Fhjutftjvddww

Anyone who thinks this is acceptable can only be an uneducated idiot. Disgraceful parenting. Stop kidding yourselves that this is ok.
Anyone who judges a parent doing what is needed in that moment is contributing to the issues with parental mental health.
2YearsOfWastedTime · 22/01/2022 20:48

Not your business

Why was you staring at them so long!
Bit creepy!

Yumperwumpee · 22/01/2022 20:50

There wouldn't be a single parenting book or course out there that would recommend this. Or professional!!

Hello again! I'm in educational psychology (or I was; now I home educate my son). No I wouldn't recommend it, as in I wouldn't say "this is what you should do with your baby". OTOH I also wouldn't tell any struggling parent that this was a harmful thing to do, because in the context of an hour at Pizza Express, it isn't. All day every day would be a different story.

Nuance, people. Use it.

KurtWilde · 22/01/2022 20:50

@Fhjutftjvddww

Anyone who thinks this is acceptable can only be an uneducated idiot. Disgraceful parenting. Stop kidding yourselves that this is ok.
The kids I've raised would disagree but ok 👍🏻
Thatsplentyjack · 22/01/2022 20:50

@Fhjutftjvddww

Anyone who thinks this is acceptable can only be an uneducated idiot. Disgraceful parenting. Stop kidding yourselves that this is ok.
Oh climb down of your horse. It's absolutely fine for 45 mins so the parents can have some lunch. The child won't spontaneously combust ffs!
MrFsAunt · 22/01/2022 20:51

I don't think my 20 yr old would agree with you there, but then she knows the difference between proof and prove.

Fhjutftjvddww · 22/01/2022 20:52

@Yumperwumpee

Anyone who thinks this is acceptable can only be an uneducated idiot. Disgraceful parenting. Stop kidding yourselves that this is ok.

You name changed just to post that 🤣

Thought I would give you something to do.
MrFsAunt · 22/01/2022 20:53

@MrFsAunt

I don't think my 20 yr old would agree with you there, but then she knows the difference between proof and prove.
That was in reply to FrecklesMalone.
Woofwoofbarkbark · 22/01/2022 20:53

@Yumperwumpee

There wouldn't be a single parenting book or course out there that would recommend this. Or professional!!

Hello again! I'm in educational psychology (or I was; now I home educate my son). No I wouldn't recommend it, as in I wouldn't say "this is what you should do with your baby". OTOH I also wouldn't tell any struggling parent that this was a harmful thing to do, because in the context of an hour at Pizza Express, it isn't. All day every day would be a different story.

Nuance, people. Use it.

How do we know its not all day every day?

Also what would you say to a mum who does do this all day? Is there a way to phrase it so they understood or is it best to go straight to ss or the district HV?

merrygoround23 · 22/01/2022 20:53

Pls stop judging

Fhjutftjvddww · 22/01/2022 20:55

@ Sirzy yeah right.

WindyState · 22/01/2022 20:55

@Woofwoofbarkbark

There wouldn't be a single parenting book or course out there that would recommend this. Or professional!!
Google would strongly suggest otherwise. Plenty of parenting books/experts recognise that moderation in all things is fine and that includes ohmyfuckinggod a bit of TV or simple games on a tablet or whatever.

The fact is for any non-judgementalcuntyarseypants the occasional bit of screen time is absolutely fine.

LadyPropane · 22/01/2022 20:56

If you didn't immediately dial 999 and get the police to come out then you are just as bad as the parents. These people need to be stopped and you just sat there eating pizza and doing nothing. Shame on you.

WindyState · 22/01/2022 20:56

@Fhjutftjvddww

Anyone who thinks this is acceptable can only be an uneducated idiot. Disgraceful parenting. Stop kidding yourselves that this is ok.
Stop kidding yourself that anyone gives a fuck about your incorrect opinion.
Roses1221 · 22/01/2022 20:57

Firstborn we never did this and judged those who did. He was perfectly happy waving a rattle around and nibbling his snacks. Secondborn, well, we rarely take him out in public where any sense of decorum is required. But when we do, he absolutely gets a phone to watch. Judge away!

Fhjutftjvddww · 22/01/2022 20:58

@ Thatsplentyjack yeah but no one on here defending this has only done it for 45 mins … it seems that many on here are very attached to avoiding parenting for using screens and are getting very angry becuase they feel guilty about it.

CowboyJo · 22/01/2022 20:58

I'm gonna have to say YABU to judge.

Placating babies is difficult - I've had 4 of them Grin
Obviously I'm not advocating for kids to be babysat by phones and TVs with unrestricted access, but something like a child-friendly game or a couple nursery rhyme videos on YouTube to pass the time can be the difference between a calm distracted baby and a crying screaming baby.

Some babies like blankets or rattles or comforter toys for comfort. Others may like music or a certain TV show.

DickMabutt73962 · 22/01/2022 20:59

@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.

The Ten Things I Hate About You quote 😂
Sirzy · 22/01/2022 20:59

Seems we have a lot of perfect parents on here!