to think that children should eat 'children-sized' meals?

[mosschops30]

I know I'll probably be flamed for this, but I have to ask because it really annoys me.

We have friends that order huge portions of food for their children when we go out, which is fine but they are never eaten.
We went somewhere recently and the 9 year old ordered the same meal as me and the 5 year old ordered more than my 13 year old
There doesnt seem to be any kind of restraint on how much food they order, including copious amounts of fizzy drinks.
It was fine at this restaurant because we paid separately but it realls irks me when we split the bill when their kids order anything they like, then dont eat, then order huge deserts and we split the bill.

Im not being funny but my children order meals that are suitable for them and then if they finish they are allowed to have a desert.

I know youre all gonna say its none of my business but its just one of those things that niggles me

Just refuse to share the bill.

well it is your business when you have to split the bill and they ordered adult sized portions then left them.

Otherwise, if they are paying for what they ordered, that is none of your biz

YANBU.
Frankly, I don't see how you can bring it up with the parents. Just don't share the bill.

YABU because your gripe isn't about chidren not eating children sized meals, its about paying for uneaten food. If they ordered adult sized meals and ate it all, it presumably wouldn't bother you?

Make sure you don't split the bill in future, just pay for what each family eats.

Just invite them to yours for a cuppa instead
don't eat out with them

YANBU
I grew up with parents ordering the food and quite often sharing dishes to get the right amount with no waste. Plus one fizzy drink only per child per meal, then it's water. But then my parents are tight conscientious with money and hate waste in a fluffy hippy sort of way.

I think my gripe is with both things though. Surely if ive noticed their children canot manage their huge portions then they mustve noticed too (although also noticed that friend and her dh polish off the kids leftovers ).
But I agree I dont care what they buy for their kids as long as im not paying for it. I always feel a bit tight though refusing to split the bill.
mutt thats great if your 8 yr old actually eats it, my argument is that these kids dont.

I'll happily order mine all the food they want but as long as they eat it.

I find a big problem with children's meals in restaurants, they are soooo boring. Always a variation arround chicken nugets/fish peas, baked beans and chips.

Whenever we eat out (not very often) the DCs have "normal" meals with normal meat/fish vegetables. We do however often order 1 between Ds3 and DD4 as they have got a very small appetite but DD1 (10 1/2) and DS2 (9) will finish a regular plate.

I think it is wise to each pay for they own families (unless 1 family actually invited the other)

final verdict : YANBU to not want to pay for wasted food
YAB a bit U to get worked up at what your friends see fit to feed their DCs.

I allow my 4 year old to order from the adult menu, he does not want chicken nuggets, fish fingers, spaghetti bolognese etc.. for a meal, he want decent food that have veg or salads on the side and not pea/naked beans. He does not eat it all as the portions are too big, but id rather pay for him to have a decent meal that I know he ill eat and enjoy that to have a meal that I know he wont enjoy and wont eat. so therefore a bigger waste of money.

your not being unreasonable on the paying part.

i didnt say childrens meals (which I also hate) thats why i referred to 'child sized meals'.
I dont think kids should be forced to eat the crap that most places provide, always good to go for a child sized portion of an adult dish. My ds would pick chicken casserole over chicken nuggets any day

lol at 'naked beans' we dont have those in wales