To think parents should bring babies to restaurants?

[BePoisedPlumViper]

I get that parents want to enjoy dining out, but isn’t it inconsiderate for those of us looking for a peaceful meal?

Title meant to say SHOULDN’T

Nah

Should or shouldn't?

It depends on the baby

Shouldn’t!

I’m fine with it

I suggest you book later reservation if you really want child free dining.

I like it.

I'm fine with it. Parents are humans too, they might just want to step out and have a meal at a restaurant for a change

go somewhere that doesn’t allow children or else go out at night

my kids are welcome to go out in public they are people too 🤣🤣

I'm fine with it.
Obviously some restaurants are more geared up to babies and children and others less so, but I'm a big believer in taking children out for meals without ipads for babysitting.
How else will they learn the art of socialisation, conversation and different kind of palates.

I don’t care. As long as the baby/small child is taken outside if it’s screaming or very noisy.

I like it as well, who doesn’t love a cute newborn in a pram or on mums shoulder?

I don't think miserable people should be allowed in restaurants.

Ditto.

Eat late and posh if you want to avoid the hoi polloi.

YABVU - Do you expect families never to be allowed to eat out in public then? How are children ever supposed to learn how to behave, if they are kept at home 'out of sight and mind' until they are older?

No wonder our society is in such a state, when somebody posts on a parenting site that navies shouldn't be allowed to eat out in public places. Why don't you extend that to children and adults with learning difficulties, who also make a mess or loud noise? Unbelievable.

How do you suppose children learn to be well behaved at restaurants unless they're familiarised with the environment? You could have the best behaved child at home and they'd still lose their mind the first time you take them to a restaurant because of the sensory overload.
What your title should say is "shouldnt parents teach children how to behave appropriately in restaurants?"
We take age appropriate toys. We go for walks and outside for a break if patience is running low. We do shorter, quicker meals than we would normally so as to not push our luck and we go up to the desk to pay our bill rather than wait. We celebrate the good behaviour and change the bad.
Everyone has to learn, and I've seen some shocking behaviour from adults so it's hardly just the kids messing around.

Babies, not navies!

If it’s an adult vibe then the behaviour should match. If your kids can sit and behave then no problem. If they need to run around or scream, then no. I would apply the same rule to adults who don’t know how to converse with indoor voices.

No, children need to be introduced to restaurants, shopping centres and other environments from a young age to learn how to enjoy them. They may be unsure and unsettled but the more times they go, the more natural the surroundings become.

My daughter "behaved" a lot better in restaurants because we went out as often as we could and included her. I took lots of entertainment including blocks, colouring books and crayons. Now she's 9 and an angel.

I have friends with kids similar ages and they avoided places and when they went for family meals as their kids got older they were so stressed out as the kids were playing up. It's a shame as they weren't exposed to it.
I have a friend who refuses to take her kids to a shopping centre as they run about. But how are they supposed to learn if they don't go 🤔

Oh good, we haven't had one of these threads in so long!

If you are looking for a peaceful meal, eat at home where none of the "undesirables" can spoil the experience be that a baby or a middle aged bloke watching TikTok videos.

I don't personally.

It depends on the restaurant and general ambiance though I suppose.

Babies I’m fine with- never had issues with an uncontrollable or noisy one. On the other hand - toddlers/ kids that aren’t supervised and the parents pretend they aren’t with them while the kids scream and run around… definitely don’t belong in restaurants