Put your frikking babies to bed!

[Plsdiscuss]

I went for a very exclusive dinner Saturday night. I'd been looking forward to it for ages. £150 per head place, which is a huge splurge for us.

A family of 4 were seated next to us at their 7.45pm arrival. The (about) 3 yr old was 50% pacified. The (about) 9 month old in the high chair squawked for about 30 mins then fell asleep, looking very uncomfortable slumped over the side of the highchair.

If their noise wasn't bad enough, I could hear another child crying in another part of the restaurant for about an hour. That child's noise got louder as they were pushed in their pram crossing the restaurant to leave around 9pm. I commented and gestured to my partner. I wasn't as subtle as I thought in this, as the mum looked cross, waved her arm at me and mouthed fuck off.

When my now adult children were that small, they were in bed by 7.30, unless there was an event like a wedding. We got babysitters for evening meals out...very rare as very hard to get babysitters. I would never have dreamt of taking my under 5s to quiet intimate adult spots, then letting them cry for the majority. For 1, I wouldn't have enjoyed my food and 2, neither would those around me.

There's a reason deliveroo exists. Use it. And stop being so frikking selfish. Babies need sleep, not fine dining.

Yeah. We have Italian heritage and kids go everywhere out there!

I agree, it's selfish inconsiderate people that don't really care about anyone else OR their own children, as long as they can do what they want when they want, everyone else can just fuck off. I mean the parents of the poor baby asleep and hanging over the high chair for that long are disgusting.

Then no doubt they moan that everywhere 'is so unfriendly to children' they aren't, there is just a time and a place - not everywhere should accommodate children at all times.

She doesn't!

You love a pub that is literally one of the worst pups , that have nil respect for its staff , that has nil morals . So yes that tells me what I need to know about you as good people do not go to weatherspoons . So yes it tells me excqtiy what I needed to know about you

Completely disagree!!

But that's not what the op is talking about is it?

She's very clearly talking about parents taking their kids to restaurants when they're obviously over tired, upset or bored and should be at home or at the very least taken outside for a breather or attended to at the table. Not left to scream for almost an hour just because the parents "fancy a nice meal" - sometimes plans don't work out and it's unfair on the kids and the other diners to string it out.

I genuinely can't see why so many people can't see the difference.

Signed, the parent of an autistic 4 year old who is often absolutely fine at restaurants, but sometimes isn't and on those occasions we bail on the restaurant because we're not selfish.

I dont have kids and i dont think id want them around me late in the evening having a nice meal.

Agree, I get so fed up with being disrupted by babies who are noisy because of being kept out after bedtime. Selfish of the parents but it's a good idea to check if places allow children and avoid those that do

She didn't say she loved the pubs - she said she loved their policy! Try reading what's in front of you. I also applaud them and I don't think I've ever been in a Spoons!

It’s odd to take kids to a high end place but it depends on the place and the vibe there honestly. If kids are allowed they have right to be there and you are a huge dick to make a mum feel bad that her baby is crying. If you want a child free experience there are so many places you can go for that.

So go to one of the many places where kids aren’t allowed.

All I know is that by that time of the day my children were tired and cranky, and it would not have been a pleasant experience for anyone for us to take them out for dinner. The elder two used to have an activity for an hour on a Wednesday night and we used to sneak off and have a quick meal while they were there. And then we had #3...!!!

I don't think there are as many places as you make out. Why should adult diners be forced to choose a restaurant on that basis, because lazy parents force their children to go to dinners that they're not interested in, and let them scream their lungs out or run riot?!!

I do well i try to.

She's not. It's the mother that's at fault for leaving her child to continue crying and not taking it out!!! I don't know where all these child-free places are because I'm not seeing them!?

Nah, the mum is a huge dick to let her baby cry for an hour in a restaurant and not take them outside.

If the baby starts crying, take them out! If you don't you're the dick.

Why is this so difficult to grasp?

Don't want wailing children when trying to have a nice dinner.

7.45 an early dinner?? For dc?? Are you Spanish?!

No, not early for dc, early for adults. Normal for children.

Hence I would expect children at that time, and if I wanted no children I would go later.

Agree op weird selfish behaviour. Lose lose scenario all round. Parents can’t be enjoying it the toddlers sure as hell aren’t and you are pissing off the other customers and spoiling their evening too. Dont get it.

She is not for sure as Spanish never eat before 8:30 often much later

Er... yes... @Anonymous2025 , that was kind of my point 🙄

Oh please. So entitled and pompous. Small children do not enjoy fine dining. You are grasping to justify an absurd position. If you take your small child to an expensive restaurant, then you are a skin flint for not paying for a sitter and you are hugely selfish if its crying and behaviour spoils grown up people’s enjoyment.

Times have changed - don’t make me laugh.

If a child is roaming around obviously people will interact with her but it doesn't mean they wanted her attention or would have preferred not to. So basically you left her to be entertained by other adults.
All the ND children I've worked with have cat napped getting a couple of hours a night not sleeping late waking late that would suggest you could get help to change her routine