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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Fhjutftjvddww · 22/01/2022 21:00

@ WindyState if you are angry because you feel guilty then don’t turn it on me with your disgusting language, sort out your parenting.

Piglet89 · 22/01/2022 21:00

Anyone who thinks this is acceptable can only be an uneducated idiot.

OniferousWasp · 22/01/2022 21:00

Horrified at seeing two hours of the baby’s life?

Whilst this is not something I would do with my own children, as a customer trying to enjoy my meal at a restaurant, I’d prefer this to a howling baby and stressed parents.

venusmay · 22/01/2022 21:01

Parenting is hard enough without people judging you all the time.After my dd2 was born I had horrendous pnd and often used an ipad if we went to lunch. Yes people stared at me and I'm sure disapproved but that 30 mins to eat something in comfort helped a lot.

Yumperwumpee · 22/01/2022 21:02

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!

Actually my child hardly watches screens and never has.

Piglet89 · 22/01/2022 21:02

@venusmay I hear you

💐

WindyState · 22/01/2022 21:02

@Fhjutftjvddww

@ WindyState if you are angry because you feel guilty then don’t turn it on me with your disgusting language, sort out your parenting.
I don't feel guilty at all. Not a fucking bit Grin
Cissyandflora · 22/01/2022 21:04

Horrifying? Not really the correct word. You are pouring scorn on the parenting. It’s not what you would do. But is it horrifying?

CowboyJo · 22/01/2022 21:04

I think some people on Mumsnet have never heard the phrase "everything in moderation" Wink

BadLad · 22/01/2022 21:05

Is this a reverse?

Are you the baby?

SuitcaseOfWhine · 22/01/2022 21:07

Some of the people on here have clearly not had a child that will scream the house down and moan in a restaurant for no real reason.

My son would literally run around screaming and having a tantrum. I could sit him on my knee and entertain him, but he would try to wriggle free and protest very loudly. The only thing that helps is watching nursery rhymes on a phone. This ensures other people can enjoy their meal in peace (unless some nosy twat wants to judge my parenting skills, then it's their fault if they get upset). He was also very unsettled as a baby too (although I think even a phone wouldn't have settled him, never tried). We gave up eating out for a while because of it. He is still difficult now at nearly three, but watching nursery rhymes and music makes it less stressful for everyone. I don't want to deny my eldest son a meal out as he enjoys it.

I didn't need to do this with my first son, he was an absolute pleasure to take out. Not all kids will be the same, there is such thing as temperament.

But seriously, you are HORRIFIED are you? You need a long stay in a corrupt third world country OP.

Yumperwumpee · 22/01/2022 21:07

Is this a reverse?

Are you the baby?

Maybe OP is the screen!

Wineisoverrated · 22/01/2022 21:08

@Woofwoofbarkbark

There wouldn't be a single parenting book or course out there that would recommend this. Or professional!!
There also wasn’t a single parenting book to help me understand why my little boy kept putting his willy on calippos because it felt ‘nice and soft’. Thankfully as parents we learn in the field how best to manage rather than relying off the professionals and we switch to cornettos instead.
CowboyJo · 22/01/2022 21:10

Confused Confused Confused
Just what we wanted to know

Piglet89 · 22/01/2022 21:10

it seems that many on here are very attached to avoiding parenting

No, no! That’s all mixed up! I AVOIDED ATTACHMENT PARENTING; I ALSO sleep trained my poor, chocolate-stuffed son using the CIO method.

JigglyPiggly · 22/01/2022 21:12

@Yumperwumpee

I can beat this, on a train today, baby around 1 year old allowed to crawl around on the floor, dummy dropping out onto the floor under the seats (floor was vile and grubby). Mum was too busy looking at her phone. She dragged the baby out from under the seat as we got closer to the station, he was bawling and she roughly strapped him in, shoving said dirty dummy back into his mouth.

That situation isn't even a little bit the same.

Both examples of poor parenting
Scrunchies · 22/01/2022 21:13

@SuitcaseOfWhine this sounds like my DD and as she’s my first I often feel like I’ve failed, as nothing I can do really will placate her. She just wants to be on the move/ running/ climbing constantly. Do you feel like it gets better? Any tips?

MadeinSW3 · 22/01/2022 21:13

@Scrunchies I wouldn’t expect an 18month old to sit still, I didn’t really take mine out at that age for a serviced meal. I waited till about 3yrs when they could sit for short periods.

No evidence of any toys with the couple, when I looked over they seemed to be showing each other their own social media stuff.

A 7 MONTH old can sit in a high chair quite happily playing with objects /toy being passed between the 2 people that were there ?!

It did not look like a particularly difficult baby to me at all. You never know I suppose but it seems like a new low to me that this may be acceptable Sad

OP posts:
Piglet89 · 22/01/2022 21:13

You should see him, honestly: poor, stupid, obese, traumatised litte guy that he is.

Giraffesandbottoms · 22/01/2022 21:14

@Scrunchies

My 18 month old is like that and I basically can’t take him to cafes or restaurants on my own when he’s awake. Can’t wait for him to grow out of the phase.

MadeinSW3 · 22/01/2022 21:15

@Opalfeet er posted because it has bothered me? A lot more mundane things regularly posted on this forum.

OP posts:
Goldbar · 22/01/2022 21:18

[quote Scrunchies]@SuitcaseOfWhine this sounds like my DD and as she’s my first I often feel like I’ve failed, as nothing I can do really will placate her. She just wants to be on the move/ running/ climbing constantly. Do you feel like it gets better? Any tips?[/quote]
Mine was like this. It got better for us at around 3-3.5. Now they can sit for a short period. But if we want a relaxing meal that lasts longer than 30 minutes, we pick a pub or restaurant with a play area. Or give them the tablet after a bit. Some children just like to be on the move.

MrsGinnyM · 22/01/2022 21:19

Personally, I am HORRIFIED that OP went to Pizza Express for lunch!!! Disgraceful parental behaviour!!! Surely she should have been at home, making pizza from scratch as a more worthy parental activity?! I see you and I judge you, OP.

Piglet89 · 22/01/2022 21:19

Mine was like this. It got better for us at around 3-3.5. Now they can sit for a short period. But if we want a relaxing meal that lasts longer than 30 minutes, we pick a pub or restaurant with a play area. Or give them the tablet after a bit. Some children just like to be on the move.

God this site is just so great for people who have similar experiences and kids who want to be on the go all the time. My son is this way and it’s been very hard at times but good to know there’s a potential “roadmap”.

ChateauxNeufDePoop · 22/01/2022 21:19

[quote MadeinSW3]@Scrunchies I wouldn’t expect an 18month old to sit still, I didn’t really take mine out at that age for a serviced meal. I waited till about 3yrs when they could sit for short periods.

No evidence of any toys with the couple, when I looked over they seemed to be showing each other their own social media stuff.

A 7 MONTH old can sit in a high chair quite happily playing with objects /toy being passed between the 2 people that were there ?!

It did not look like a particularly difficult baby to me at all. You never know I suppose but it seems like a new low to me that this may be acceptable Sad[/quote]
Sounds like everyone enjoyed their meal then?

So what's your point caller?