Kids in pubs and parents outside smoking

[LGyouknow]

DP & I go to our local pub/restaurant not too frequently but yesterday the experience was so shocking that I don't think we will go back.

This is a local place which has a family restaurant to the back, and also has a separate bar lounge area to the front. Yes it's a family place, therefore I have no problem with kids being there, I totally get that. But yesterday, it was around 7ish and we were sitting in the bar section, next to to table with 2 mums and their 2 kids (looked about 5/6 years old). Fine, however both kids had I-Pad's with their volume blaring out (not even quietly) it was hard to concentrate, and the mums were just nattering to themselves. Every 15 minutes, they would get up, leave the kids at the table and walk outside to smoke....they walked round the front of the pub at least so they could technically see them from the window looking in, not that they did. I was just shocked.

I get it's a family place but does that really mean we have to listen to their kids tv shows when trying to just enjoy a glass of wine with our other halves and chat about out day?!?!

YABU - It's a family pub and this is normal
YANBU - I'm with you on this

Littlemisscapable · Today 07:06

I think the OP is shocked that the kids were unattended in the pub after 7pm as both parents had left at the same time to smoke outside. She's right this is not OK!!!!

And so am I.

Some strange responses here - what are they all doing in the pub at that time, if the kids are 5-6? Doesn't sound great.

It’s not new, it just used to be the other way round. Kids parked in the beer garden, parents smoking inside. I spent many Saturday afternoons with a half of lemonade and a bag of crisps outside! No iPads though which I think is your real issue here - the parents smoking didn’t affect the volume.

Except they were unattended…

It's definitely grim parenting. I would choose a different pub next time.

The iPads with headphones was an issue, but in a local family venue I don't think the smoking is particularly bad

I don't think they should be leaving their kids alone to go outside and smoke, that's neglectful! They should be taking it in turns. Was it really every 15 minutes though? Sounds like chain smoking lol

Drink indoors if you’ve got kids.

My local pubs have had real problems with families using the pub as a playground whilst the adults get smashed.

Thankfully it seems to be more under control now they have worked out filling tables with children, makes less money than filling them with adults.

peoples behaviour seems to be getting worse and worse.
Smokings awful in itself, poor kids.
You dont both need to go together anyway.
People are getting less considerate when out with phones, music, i pads etc.