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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that the restaurant whould have had a better "highchair"?

51 replies

mm22bys · 21/11/2008 15:11

We went out to lunch recently, and asked for a highchair for DS2 who has just turned 2.

The only highchair they had was a booster seat that did not have even a three-point harness - the child would have literally been sitting in a "booster" seat, but with no safety straps.

AIBU to think that on health and safety concerns alone the restaurant should have had a "better" highchair?

(We ended up walking out - there is no way even DS1 (4) would have been safe in the seat (he can sit in a normal seat but this one was too high even for him).

OP posts:
Original poster
mm22bys · 22/11/2008 09:13

Thanks for your responses.

I think it is beside the point the age of the child involved, the point I was trying to make (and obviously failed judging by the majority of the respondees) is that I did consider the highchair unsafe for ANY child.

I would rather a restaurant provide no highchair, than something that was clearly unsafe. We wanted DS2 (who is not 4 - he is 2 and would not be considered a "typical" 2 year old that would be happy kneeling on a seat at the table) sit up with us at the table rather than be stuck in his stroller, and there is no way in the world he would be happy sitting on our laps for the duration of the meal (I bet most of your NT 2 year old would be exactly the same in that respect!).

Regarding my DS1 who is 4, who does sit on normal chairs - I was just trying to make that point that I would consider this booster seat unsafe for even him.

(In any case, we went to the Italian down the road, which did have a safe highchair (which DS2 decided he was too tired to sit in any way) , had a great meal, and seemed happy enough to ge our money (and I know that there are many many restaurants out there that are truly struggling and would be happy to get any business!)).

OP posts:
mytetherisending · 22/11/2008 09:23

I can see why you are miffed and agree that there should be a harness on a booster if provided. However, I fail to see why you left, at 2 none of my children needed a highchair/booster. Use the pushchair/lap/folded coat to make the chair higher if he is small for age.

mytetherisending · 22/11/2008 09:25

At 2 I am sure he climbs down from climbing frames etc, so getting down from the hieght of a booster seat is hardly dangerous. At 2 he shouldn't need strapping in.

Original poster
mm22bys · 22/11/2008 09:26

Please don't assume that all 2 year old children have the same physical abilities....

OP posts:
mytetherisending · 22/11/2008 09:30

I am taking into account about 25 2 yr olds that I have known and cared for in some way and been present at meal times to see btw. If he has SN different matter. You didn't say he had, so I presumed he didn't

2shoes · 22/11/2008 09:39

I wouldn't have put ds(nt) in a seat with just a lap strap, bloody dangerous imo.
wow 25 children "you have cared for"

AnarchyAunt · 22/11/2008 09:44

DD has used a booster seat with no straps on a chair at home since she was 2.

I'd be quite happy with one in a restaurant. Agree, if he has SN then it depends on his abilities but from the OP that is not clear.

wannaBe · 22/11/2008 09:44

IMO the age of the child is irelevant really.

Either a restaurant encourages children, or it doesn't. And a restaurant that is unable to provide an adequate highchair clearly doesn't consider welcoming children as being at the top of its agenda.

If a customer came in with a young baby who was young enough to not be walking but old enough to be sitting in a high chair, then that restaurant would be unable to provide adequate seating for that child.

As an adult you wouldn't accept being told that "sorry, we don't have any seats, but you can stand at the table/sit on the floor/sit on these old apple boxes we happen to have out the back," so why should it be any different for children?

TotalChaos · 22/11/2008 09:47

agree with Wannabe - the age of the child is irrelevant - as customers will want to bring very young children as well as 2 year olds, the chair should be safe for all kids likely to use it.

needmorecoffee · 22/11/2008 10:15

agree with wannabe, restaurants should cater for children and have adequate highchairs. A booster seat without straps is a long way to fall. And 2 year olds, whether SN or NT all have differing physical abilities.

mytetherisending · 23/11/2008 11:22

2shoes why the at 25 children cared for? Not sole charge but having worked on a paediatric ward and being a childminder who worked with several other childminders if I take into account all the children I have encountered it totals around that. Not sole charge but present and able to see their capabilities, so back at ya!

inzidoodle · 23/11/2008 11:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

claw3 · 23/11/2008 11:51

Not sure whether they HAVE to provide highchairs, but would have thought if they did provide them, they should at least be working and intact.

Perhaps in future phone, book and ask about highchair arrangements.

needmorecoffee · 23/11/2008 11:53

you a nurse mythetherisending?

MadMarg · 23/11/2008 12:25

YANBU - if they provide a high chair, it should be safe. When I make bookings at restaurants I check whether they have high chairs and if they say they do, then I don't bring my portable high chair. I would be really miffed to then discover that the high chair was highly unsuitable.

And what's wrong with a 2 year old using a high chair? It's not that they necessarily 'need' it, but if you want to have a dawdling meal, a child that can run around isn't the best idea. My DS will sit happily in a high chair and draw with pencils/crayons provided to him (gotta love Cafe Rouge!!!) but would be off like a shot if he were in a normal chair. He is only 20 months old, but I can't see that changing THAT much in the next few months!!!!

domesticslattern · 23/11/2008 12:45

Last time I asked for a high chair, I was offered a bar stool. Well, it is literally a high chair, I suppose. I just think these places don't want our business and we just have to vote with our feet.

mytetherisending · 23/11/2008 13:20

needmorecoffee yes why?
I have to say that in my origional post I did say that I can see why she was miffed that it wasn't a good standard of chair, however, I felt it was OTT to leave. Different if it was a baby under 1. Perhaps they had a highchair but felt it was to babyish for the ops child and brought that instead

NoBiggy · 23/11/2008 14:27

You all have 2 year olds that stay put for an entire meal, from menu through to dessert, on an ordinary seat without moving?

Wow!

Mine gets tied down!

SoupDragon · 23/11/2008 14:31

If "tied down", BabyDragon would simply have screamed until let down

needmorecoffee · 23/11/2008 15:54

mythether - can we start another thread as I'm completely flummoxed about how to get paediatric nurses to understand severe disability and stop them treating dd like a peice of unfeeling meat.

mytetherisending · 23/11/2008 19:21

needmorecoffee I only did rotation (RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus short of RSCNs) I am adult branch. That is appalling to hear. Where where is the treatment?

mytetherisending · 23/11/2008 19:22

Yes do start another thread.

nappyaddict · 25/11/2008 15:08

Did it have a tray? If so I think YABU. DS' highchair didn't come with a harness so even from when he started sitting we have never used one but it did have a tray so he couldn't fall out. DS has managed with an adult chair from 17/18 months.

Original poster
mm22bys · 26/11/2008 09:56

Wow, this is still going!

no, there was no tray, and it was their only option (we did ask...)

Cheerio...

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 26/11/2008 10:01

I think YABU to have walked out. DS has sat on his booster seat with no tray or harness since about 14 months. Was it that they didn't have another highchair or perhaps it was being used by another customer? If they didn't have another highchair at all YANBU to think that they should have one for younger babies in the 6-12 month range.

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