To let Dc play switch in a Michelin star restaurant?

[GCSquirrel]

Dc is 7yo. I was supposed to be going for a 6 course tasting tomorrow evening but due to my friend’s childcare issues (her dh was supposed to be having her dc plus my 7yo for a sleepover but he’s got Covid) she had to cancel. It was booked using a voucher and as it’s such short notice if we don’t go tomorrow the voucher will be cancelled.

The restaurant have said they’re fine with dc coming as long as he isn’t disruptive. Dc is generally pretty well behaved but I’ve eaten at this restaurant before and the whole thing takes a good 2.5 hours. I think he would actually enjoy the food and the experience but obviously it’s a long time for a 7yo to sit still and be relatively quiet. If I let him play with his switch if he starts to get a bit fidgety he is absolutely guaranteed to be quiet. He got a new Pokémon game for it for Christmas and is obsessed with it.

If you went out for a posh meal would you be irritated if there was a kid playing switch there? I don’t know if I’m being really selfish to consider it but it was a really expensive voucher and I do like food.

I’d do exactly the same in your position and wouldn’t be bothered at all if I was in and a child was on their switch.

I think as a parent I often worry too much about what others will think. Go and enjoy your meal! Your DS probably won’t believe his luck at being allowed to bring his switch ….it’s a win/win!

On silent it wouldn't bother me in the slightest

As long as he has headphones (and he's not one of those that yells at every victory :D ), I don't see the issue.

We move a lot, so didn't have easy babysitting (kids aren't exactly thrilled with the idea of having someone look after them when they'd only been in the country/house a few weeks and the babysitter likely wouldn't speak very good english), and the kids came with us to lots of restaurants, with ipads and headphones, and caused no issues at all - no one commented (actually not true, there were fairly often favourable comments from the staff, and little treats/gifts brought for them)

You're not a parent, are you?!

I'm a Spaniard and my children have eaten fish, salads, steak and pasta since they were little.

We then moved to Australia and were lucky to enjoy superb food from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Nigeria, Vietnam....... not only because the food is so easy to get in Sydney but because we travelled to the countries and experienced their food. Our first Michelin experience in Sydney was without my youngest son. He was too young, 9 y.o., to enjoy the adult atmosphere of this type of restaurant but has, as a teen and an adult, enjoyed wonderful restaurants.

Stop analysing my posts from your own perspective. You don't know me or my life.

I might find it a bit weird to see a kid at something that's very obviously not aimed at kids. But as long as he was sitting quietly and not being disruptive, I wouldn't care.

Electronic devices make our lives easier. You might as well say that adult should wash clothes by hand rather than have the convenience of a washing machine. Housework in the past was physical toil and would keep us all fitter, and without spending money at a gym. The irony that all of us on this thread are on an electronic device for our own entertainment is not lost on me either. Children can tolerate boring situations much better with a phone or switch etc. Why not make things easier?

He's a kid who might get bored, which will impact on your experience, and might negatively impact on others.

I'd ask him to engage with the food tasting, and sensible conversations about it, as not many kids his age would have this opportunity. But if it goes on too long he can have his switch. I think kids who immediately get devices out in restaurants aren't getting the experience of dining out, but when there is a boring conversation bit then devices are fine. Adults are being entertained, why should children be bored (with special need or anxious children etc do whatever you fucking need to get through the day).

Also say that you'd like him to pause as each course is served or if something interesting to him is going on dessert course for example, if he likes sweet things I find giving expected behaviours beforehand - always what you would like to see - helps a lot. Never list the negatives you don't want to see, it puts those to the forefront of their thoughts.

Honestly I hope I would be too busy enjoying my food to notice or care, or I'd glance over and think about all the reasons this might be happening and think how lovely for the family . In reality I'd probably glance over and think why have they brought that child out to an expensive place if they need to be distracted by a switch. But I realise that says more about me than anything else. In the circumstances I can see why you want to go and I would tell myself on the night that it doesn't matter what someone else is doing.

As long as the gameplay doesn’t disturb others (ie you have headphones or it’s on silent) then fine.

Gordon Ramsey posted a video of is youngest on a tablet at his airport restaurant a few weeks ago. I was surprised as I figured he'd be stricter about table manners (yes, even at the airport!).

I wouldn't care so long as sound off, headphones used.

I’d be amazed if there was a babysitter that would be willing to travel to me at short notice. I have to sign up to check whether they’re available here but I can’t see anyone travelling across Dartmoor at the drop of a hat.

We would not be comfortable with that. Children shouldn’t be expected to play on games for that amount of time in an adult environment where behaviour is expected to be maintained at a level beyond normal. Take your child , talk to him if he is mature enough to understand the situation and learn and enjoy it with you. If not then no. People go to these restaurants not only for the food but the child free environment.

It was only going to be me and dsis going originally so it does change the dynamic of course. But it’s a changed dynamic or a lost £220 voucher.

I don’t think I’ve ever met a 7yo who could be guaranteed to sit still for 2.5 hours with a single adult to chat to without them being subjected to all sorts of terrible repercussions and I’d rather not do that. He will almost certainly sit still and quiet for a large part of it and if he starts to get fed up then he’s got his switch as back up. You never know they might pick up on the fact I’m there with ds and bring the courses out more swiftly rather than leaving it for a while like they did last time I went.

You never know they might pick up on the fact I’m there with ds and bring the courses out more swiftly rather than leaving it for a while like they did last time I went.

This is an excellent point. Talk to the waiter about bringing the courses faster because your DS is so young. I'm sure they will accommodate you, their service is usually superb - it's one of the reasons why they have a Michelin star.

Surely that depends on the child and their experience?

A few years ago Gordon Ramsey talked about taking one of his daughters to lunch and being shocked she ordered sea bass. Somehow because he had never had things like that as a child he didn't think his kids would like it.

Brilliant!

I suggest that you explain to hi what a very posh and expensive restaurant it is and how he will have to behave. Really big it up, in an exciting way. See how well he does. He might surprise you. Play games of I spy, 20 questions etc between courses.

Take the switch in your bag, but don’t tell him. Keep it for emergencies or the very end of the meal (i.e. he starts acting up the the point where you giving a firm eye or word doesn’t sort it).

I would hope a 7 year old could sit still for most of 2.5hours, as a one off for a special occasion. If the switch cones out in the last hour, I think that’s reasonable.

Exactly, there aren't many childfree places anywhere, and sometimes even parents (a shock I know!) appreciate having some childfree time, this includes not only their own children but other children too.

then I would check with the maitre d’ first, that kind of patina can be accomodated if it sits well within the aesthetique of the etablissement

Yes that is a huge amount of money to lose.

Your DC may well surprise you and enjoy the posh experience.

You could gauge how tonight goes and perhaps in the future it could lead to something you do together with DC, ie trying foods from around the world.

Have fun and enjoy.

Gordon Ramsey is just another celebrity chef who preaches what he doesn't do at home.

Look, a Michellin star restaurant is not only about exquisite food. It's about a quiet environment that adults can enjoy. It's about great service in a relaxed atmosphere. It's the reason people pay lots of money and few children under 14 are allowed in most restaurants

I'm a mother and I adored my children which didn't mean knowing some environments were not for them.

It's up to the OP to make a decision. It's neither yours or mine.

If the game was on silent wouldn't bother me in the least. Enjoy your dinner!

This.

I'd probably be silently judging (despite what most say on this thread I bet they would too) but it wouldn't bother me, as it doesn't affect me!

I think it's perfectly fine if they have headphones and it's not disturbing anyone else.

Thing is, to those saying its an adult environment, in this particular instance, the op has had an unfortunate situation and either brings the child or loses over £200. It's not that she's considering deliberately booking it with him. In those circumstances, needs must.