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.

If it gives you any comfort we took the DC (7 and 9) to a Michelin starred restaurant last year and didn’t hear a peep out of them for the full meal. They were mesmerised by the food.

@GCSquirrel oh lucky you getting the potential opportunity for seconds - I do get frustrated by the small portions when the food is particularly exquisite.

Hope you enjoy yourselves! I've taken mine at a similar age and it really was fine, kids (mostly) are far more capable of being good than their parents give them credit for.

I think @Scroogette is getting a tough ride. I actually agree. I'm a parent of 3 and I still want to be able to go out to an adult environment. Fair enough if there are kids sitting there "nicely" but if you need a screen to ensure this...then it's not the right environment. Get a babysitter! It's not impossible.

@CornishGem1975 and in principle I agree as well. If I'm out for an expensive evening meal, I'd far rather it was in an adult only environment. However in OPs case, there is no babysitting option, so she either goes with her DS or loses the £££ that the meal cost.

I have to say given the circumstances the restaurant could have been a bit more accommodating about allowing her to change date, but there we go.

I don't think the OP has actually tried getting a babysitter, outside of usual circle. Just assuming that she can't get one.

Maybe child and OP would be happier having a meal together rather than a stranger babysitting him. I only used people we knew to babysit, never used a babysitting company

I have to say, that recently a few of our ‘posh’ meals out have been spoilt by loud groups of braying adults with no concept of volume control. A kid on a switch playing silently would be a welcome relief.

I’m with the masses here - silent or headphones is fine.
Not that I’m saying the OP would, but anyone who lets their kid play games / watch videos with volume on in a public place needs shooting. 😁
It’s the single most inconsiderate and chavvy thing anyone can subject others to.

Take the switch and some headphones, the kid will be fine I’m sure.

@GCSquirrel Would love to know how your meal went and what DC thought of the food! Hope you had a really positive experience and everyone was really welcoming.

Thank you @CornishGem1975.

Yes, I find it bizarre that there's this assumption that once you have kids you will love having them around in every single context.

I also find using screens to placate young children who are, quite rightly, bored to tears by an adult-focused venue depressing. It's another reason that I would always get a babysitter.

We both had a really lovely evening, thanks! He actually really enjoyed the food, the only thing he didn’t like was some kind of fois gras foam which didn’t look appealing tbh. He didn’t need the Switch and we had a great evening just chatting and trying to guess just how insane the next course would be.

Ah that's lovely. Glad you both had a lovely evening

@GCSquirrel

That's lovely to hear!

Kids can cope these situations if we give them the chance

That's great that he enjoyed it and it's good to introduce kids to different foods and more high-end dining at an early age so that they learn early.

You may be making a rod for your own back though; chicken nuggets won't be good enough anymore!😄

@GCSquirrel

fantastic update OP - so glad you got to go and enjoy the experience and that your son had such a nice time.

Thanks for the update OP, glad to read you had a lovely time.

I'm not sure I would have wanted the foie gras!

How lovely! So pleased you had a good time. What a brilliant experience

Why would it bother anyone as long as it's silent?

Glad you had a lovely time.

What a lovely thing to have shared with him, OP. Sounds like a really memorable evening.

No probs at all if silent.

I agree. I’m really envious. It sounds really nice.

Calm down. “Analysing my posts” “You don’t know my life” 🤣🤣