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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:
cutietooties · 22/01/2022 21:20

Why do you care? How do you know they haven't been up all night with the baby? Or it's the first time they have been able to sit down together to have a meal? Don't judge people on your brief encounter if you don't know them,

Glitterbells · 22/01/2022 21:21

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

^^ yes that’s right because you are perfect.
You didn’t eat out until they were three.
You had the correct toys and entertained your child at all times.
You did not look at social media.
Here’s a big clap from me.

I’m so pleased you did brilliant when your dc were very small and you didn’t need to occupy them with something like a screen for a short period.

I remember meeting a friend who was going thought a really difficult time. We met in a cafe. I distracted my dc with a screen at one point, I had nowhere else to leave dc had to bring them to see my friend.
You would have judged me as you judged this couple.

But on other occasions I would have been talking to him, singing to him, pointing things out and trying to engage with him.

Then there is some people who would have accused me of ‘performance parenting’ had they witnessed these incidents of me engaging with my child. Parents cannot win.
And this is the problem. People see a snapshot and judge.
It’s nasty, small minded and damaging.

NortieTortie · 22/01/2022 21:22

Get a hobby, Christ. Hmm

KurtWilde · 22/01/2022 21:22

[quote MadeinSW3]@Opalfeet er posted because it has bothered me? A lot more mundane things regularly posted on this forum.[/quote]
Why does something that doesn't affect you AT ALL, bother you enough to post about it on here? Boring evening?

ArrrMeHearties · 22/01/2022 21:26

I'm horrified that your horrified about the whole thing. Seriously get over it its got nothing at all to do with you

Rubyglitter · 22/01/2022 21:27

This is really sad. Dc used to play with toys. Fair enough if this child was 2yo+ and you were on a long car journey… but this is a baby who has only been on this earth for 7 months! They need to learn about the world around them through observation and exploration, not through a screen!

On a side note, I also hate it when I can hear kids’ shows blasting out of their tablet/phone. I’d rather hear the dc chatting to their parents or playing with their toys.

reesewithoutaspoon · 22/01/2022 21:28

I wish we had had screens when my son was young. he was a nightmare in restaraunts because he got bored easily and needed constant stimulation. A screen would have been a blessing rather than the bag of legos/crayons/multiple books I used to have to take.

Have we addressed the pizza yet? I,m not sure where the hive mind stands on this. Is it junk food now or authentic italian food and acceptable. I cant keep up. I dont know when I should be horrified or offended anymore.

Tsuni · 22/01/2022 21:28

@Krieger

I'm horrified that people still use pizza express
Even Prince Andrew couldn't ruin their reputation. Pizza Express is eternal.
Mojoj · 22/01/2022 21:29

Horrified? Seriously? Away and take a look at yourself.

Fhjutftjvddww · 22/01/2022 21:30

@Rubyglitter

This is really sad. Dc used to play with toys. Fair enough if this child was 2yo+ and you were on a long car journey… but this is a baby who has only been on this earth for 7 months! They need to learn about the world around them through observation and exploration, not through a screen!

On a side note, I also hate it when I can hear kids’ shows blasting out of their tablet/phone. I’d rather hear the dc chatting to their parents or playing with their toys.

Totally agree.
Fhjutftjvddww · 22/01/2022 21:31

@Mojoj

Horrified? Seriously? Away and take a look at yourself.
Oh god do people NOT UNDERSTAND that OP is raising this as a subject for discussion. How dim are people?
fourandtwo · 22/01/2022 21:32

Hahahahahahaha

Aaaaahhh OP, your parenting medal must be in the post. You saw a snapshot, hoicked up your judgy pants and posted here hoping for…. What? Everyone to agree with you and start a slamming the couple? Must be awful awful people, you’re so right, you are definitely better than them.

Anyway. How’s that working out for you?

Mrstamborineman · 22/01/2022 21:36

For horrified watch the news. Not your baby not your choice. It does appear young but parents are judged for absolutely everything, I think this example is not something to be horrified at.

ChateauxNeufDePoop · 22/01/2022 21:39

@Fhjutftjvddww

Oh god do people NOT UNDERSTAND that OP is raising this as a subject for discussion. How dim are people?

Not dim enough to see the amount of people "agreeing" with the OP have very random usernames....

KurtWilde · 22/01/2022 21:41

Oh god do people NOT UNDERSTAND that OP is raising this as a subject for discussion. How dim are people?

It's been discussed. OP is a judgey pants and needs to keep her beak out of things that don't concern her.

theshadeofgreen · 22/01/2022 21:44

Horrified Grin

stayathomer · 22/01/2022 21:45

I used to always stand up for people saying you're only getting a snapshot etc but people are honestly getting lazier and lazier and trying to keep their kids totally quiet and teaching them that they can't be bored or wait without staring at something on a screen. And we've all done it, but everyone making excuses just because they didn't like the op using the word horrified are being ridiculous

Fhjutftjvddww · 22/01/2022 21:46

[quote ChateauxNeufDePoop]@Fhjutftjvddww

Oh god do people NOT UNDERSTAND that OP is raising this as a subject for discussion. How dim are people?

Not dim enough to see the amount of people "agreeing" with the OP have very random usernames....[/quote]
Is that the best response you have? Point proven.

BrainPotter · 22/01/2022 21:47

None of your business. When I became a parent I quickly learned that you should not judge what you don’t know the background to!

Fhjutftjvddww · 22/01/2022 21:47

@KurtWilde

Oh god do people NOT UNDERSTAND that OP is raising this as a subject for discussion. How dim are people?

It's been discussed. OP is a judgey pants and needs to keep her beak out of things that don't concern her.

Oh do at least try to understand….
Yumperwumpee · 22/01/2022 21:48

Yes, funny how many people have NC just to comment on this thread.

WetLookKnitwear · 22/01/2022 21:48

Being a judgemental bighead is going to negatively impact your kids too.

yes the couple you saw could be lazy bastards but they also might not, you just don’t know enough to make a judgement.

Also “ 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” lolGrin all children are different. Not all 7 month olds are happy sitting in a high chair in a new environment regardless of the toys or interaction they get. I don’t agree with using screen times either but don’t make so many assumptions.

Fhjutftjvddww · 22/01/2022 21:52

@Yumperwumpee

Yes, funny how many people have NC just to comment on this thread.
Do you work in forensics? Amazing stuff.
Pfbing · 22/01/2022 21:54

I've got a 5 month old, very much wanted IVF baby. I'm on maternity leave and spend all day playing with her. We read, we sing, we go for walks, we play with musical instruments, we go to baby classes, swimming lessons...you get the picture. But I also have PND and am struggling with breast feeding through allergys for DC. Eating out is something me and DH did alot pre children and something I miss alot. Pizza express are actually fabulous with allergies and DH has taken us there a few times over the last few months when I've been struggling with allergy stuff and missing being able to go to a resturant and make a choice without feeling the guilt of it potentially harming my DC. Eating is a very triggering subject for me and my PND right now.
So now I read your post. I have been that parent. I've sat in pizza express and played baby sensory you tube videos for DC so I could eat a meal. Thankfully not today otherwise I'd have been in floods of tears thinking you where villifying me specifically. It wasn't me today, but it was someone. Someone who is parenting, their way not yours. Someone who could be reading your post and now be questioning their parenting skills. You have me questioning myself!!! But I know that what you saw was a tiny snapshot of that family and you are just a judgemental ass hat.

KurtWilde · 22/01/2022 21:55

Oh do at least try to understand….

Sorry I'm far to 'uneducated' to do that

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