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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take DS to miller and Carter?

40 replies

honeymaple · 23/11/2022 18:02

It is a friend's birthday meal tonight. Table booked for 8pm, they have invited DS. There will only be four of us.

Is it too late to take a four year old? He should be pretty quiet playing games on my phone.

OP posts:
machanicalmovement · 23/11/2022 18:06

Will he be bored?

If you think he will find it fun take him, you can always put to chairs together and let him sleep.

Original poster
honeymaple · 23/11/2022 18:08

I think between eating and playing/watching videos on my phone it would keep him occupied.

I just wasn't sure if it was inappropriate to take a young child to a restaurant at that time.

OP posts:
JohnsShirt · 23/11/2022 18:08

Have they actually invited him, or agreed to him coming?
If they've invited him then fine, it's a chain steak place, hardly The Ritz.

Notanotherwindow · 23/11/2022 18:09

As long as he won't have the phone on loud so other people have to listen to it, take him.

MaryShelley1818 · 23/11/2022 18:10

It wouldn't be too late for us to take DS (4), but obviously depends if restaurant has a policy?

I personally wouldn't give a phone to play with though, especially if it has sound on (I'm not generally anti-screens but we don't give ours phones). We take Colouring, stickers or books, and talk to them. We were at a lovely restaurant last month and had some pictures cards for ours, but the family next to us had 3 kids all with mobile phones playing games and the noise was unbearable, it really did spoil our meal until they left.

Madamecastafiore · 23/11/2022 18:10

If you've got earphones for him or have the phone on silent I can't see why it will be a problem,

hopeishere · 23/11/2022 18:10

As long as the inviter doesn't mind. As a po says it is a standard chain restaurant so should be fine for kids.

Original poster
honeymaple · 23/11/2022 18:12

Thank you.

They have invited him and are keen for him to come. The phone would be on silent or with headphones.

Wouldn't usually use one but think I will this time as he gets bored easily with colouring etc.

OP posts:
saveforthat · 23/11/2022 18:14

There are always kids in our local M&C.

machanicalmovement · 23/11/2022 18:20

If you are out a few hours and he's likely to sleep remember to take his comforter, teddy or whatever with you.

Zanatdy · 23/11/2022 18:22

i don’t see a problem as long as he’s ok being up later and you’ve got entertainment which you do

monsteronahill · 23/11/2022 18:31

I'm not normally a fan of DC in restaurants late at night, but 8pm isn't too bad and really Miller and Carter isn't too fancy that I'd be worried, it's always been very family based when we've gone!

jetadore · 23/11/2022 18:34

Yes, ffs it’s miller and carter not la gavroche.

Greenqueen40 · 23/11/2022 18:38

My 4yr old is fast asleep by 8! Good luck if he gets tired

girlmom21 · 23/11/2022 18:43

It's fine to take him but what's the point in taking him to see your friends if he's not going to interact with anyone?

Avacadoandtoast · 23/11/2022 18:46

I took my 4 yr old there last December with a couple of my friends and he had a great time, it was a bit earlier but I don’t see why time should matter if your boy is ok staying up later. The kids menu is fab, proper food rather than just sausage/burger and chips!

golddustwomen · 23/11/2022 18:48

I have and would again! Have a good night op!

NCFT0922 · 23/11/2022 18:49

Absolutely fine; It’s a family chain restaurant and our local ones always have lots of children in.

Hugasauras · 23/11/2022 18:51

We took DD(3.5) for dinner at the same kind of time in a chain place recently. She was brilliant. She was so excited to be there and behaved impeccably, I was pleasantly surprised! We didn't even need anything to entertain her, but if you are going to try and have adult conversation that doesn't involve DC then maybe worth.

underneaththeash · 23/11/2022 19:20

I think you'll be okay. Just go home if he gets bored and noisy. It's a pub rather than fine dining.

I wouldn't take him if he had school tomorrow though.

machanicalmovement · 24/11/2022 21:54

How was it, I hope you had a nice evening?

Shinyandnew1 · 24/11/2022 21:58

Did you take him? Mine would have probably been ok, but I wouldn’t have done it on a school night if they had already started.

RobertaFirmino · 24/11/2022 23:36

girlmom21 · 23/11/2022 18:43

It's fine to take him but what's the point in taking him to see your friends if he's not going to interact with anyone?

It's an adult night out. I doubt a 4yo has much to contribute.

UsingChangeofName · 24/11/2022 23:52

I wouldn't.

I wouldn't find it as relaxing, trying to make sure a 4 yr old wasn't disturbing people / spilling things / taking them to the toilet etc. as I would going out with a friend without my dc.

But I guess it depends on what babysitting options you have. When mine were that age, I'd rather pay someone to look after them and have a calmer, more relaxing evening.

MissBattleaxe · 24/11/2022 23:57

I have no problem with kids out late or in restaurants but as PPs have said, having the sound on can ruin other people's night. I see that you wouldn't have done that OP but I had to make the point to get it off my chest. It makes me so annoyed!