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Original poster

Snack plates for dinner

268 replies

Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 03/02/2025 16:27

I'm sure it's just an older generation mindset of needing 3 hot square meals a day, but my gran was shocked ( 🙄 ) that my 3 year old had a snack plate for his dinner.

Plenty of nights we do have a hot meal together but I'd say at least once, sometimes twice a week, he happily sits and eats a little snack plate in front of the telly. He's been at nursery 9-3, outdoors for much of the time, he's tired, and he just wants to chill. I know the feeling myself! So after two helpings of curry with rice for his lunch at nursery I don't think it's a problem to have a snack plate for dinner.

He's having the same snack plate today as he did yesterday which has breadsticks, oatcakes, humous, salami, smoked cheese, raspberries, strawberries, chopped cucumber and peppers. He might have a small bowl of soup after too. Tbh I think he's living the best life with his little platter in front of the telly and I think it's great 😁

Breakfast was porridge, lunch was curry and rice, tomorrow for dinner we're having chicken risotto, and the next night we're having spaghetti bolognese.

Anyone else do the same with their kids?

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Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:30

Autther · 05/02/2025 17:28

Yes but what we are saying is children who occasionally use screens at a table are often also very capable of having conversations with adults at the table 🙄 it's about what is right at that given moment. Would you prefer it if those children were screaming and crying in the restaurant instead?

I think a parent can make sure their children learn to behave in a restaurant without using screens. My boys were wild and I managed. They sit at the table for the whole meal, never ran about the restaurant and chatted to all grown ups.

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/02/2025 17:32

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:30

I think a parent can make sure their children learn to behave in a restaurant without using screens. My boys were wild and I managed. They sit at the table for the whole meal, never ran about the restaurant and chatted to all grown ups.

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Why? When it is also possible to occasionally use screens and have the same outcome?

I see no reason to make things more difficult if the outcome is going to be the same.

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:33

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/02/2025 17:32

Why? When it is also possible to occasionally use screens and have the same outcome?

I see no reason to make things more difficult if the outcome is going to be the same.

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Because you wouldn't do that in a restaurant yourself presumably. Why let your child?

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Autther · 05/02/2025 17:34

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:30

I think a parent can make sure their children learn to behave in a restaurant without using screens. My boys were wild and I managed. They sit at the table for the whole meal, never ran about the restaurant and chatted to all grown ups.

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But if you're on holiday, you've been playing in the pool all day, they're tired, you want a nice dinner, why fight it? For what reason?

Caspianberg · 05/02/2025 17:34

@Hoppingabout thats fine on a normal day out.

we often end up at restaurants after a long day travels with flight delays, or after hospital appointments or funerals or whatever. We are at restaurant to eat, not for a fun evening out, but as there’s no other option. Sometimes we are tired, sad, worried. Sometimes you might see us on day 10 of doing this. I would rather just use the iPad for a quiet dinner if Ds isn’t in the mood.
He eats at restaurants a lot, and 9 times out of 10, doesn’t use the iPad. The 1 in 10 he does, I’m grateful for it

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:37

Autther · 05/02/2025 17:34

But if you're on holiday, you've been playing in the pool all day, they're tired, you want a nice dinner, why fight it? For what reason?

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I can't really help you with this. Honestly we come from completely different angles..everyone has their own views. I have mine and I think they are good. You have yours and presumably you think those are.good too. I'm not going to suddenly say yes fine to have screens in restaurants!!

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/02/2025 17:39

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:33

Because you wouldn't do that in a restaurant yourself presumably. Why let your child?

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Because a child is a child and not an adult? I wouldn't expect them to behave like an adult or have the attention span of an adult.

Plus if we are on holiday etc then things are very relaxed anyway.

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:40

Caspianberg · 05/02/2025 17:34

@Hoppingabout thats fine on a normal day out.

we often end up at restaurants after a long day travels with flight delays, or after hospital appointments or funerals or whatever. We are at restaurant to eat, not for a fun evening out, but as there’s no other option. Sometimes we are tired, sad, worried. Sometimes you might see us on day 10 of doing this. I would rather just use the iPad for a quiet dinner if Ds isn’t in the mood.
He eats at restaurants a lot, and 9 times out of 10, doesn’t use the iPad. The 1 in 10 he does, I’m grateful for it

That's cool. I've never done it myself though.

Caspianberg · 05/02/2025 17:40

@Autther i agree.
our last holiday the evening restaurant didn’t open until 7.30pm. So for a 3-4 year old it’s late. By the time we order, eat, chat, it’s often 8.45pm and Ds tired after a long day. So the option is dh and I have to leave without desert or finishing drink, or we just bring out the iPad for the last 20mins for peace.
A 3 or 4 year old at 9pm isn’t having world class chats on politics, he’s just tired.

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:41

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/02/2025 17:39

Because a child is a child and not an adult? I wouldn't expect them to behave like an adult or have the attention span of an adult.

Plus if we are on holiday etc then things are very relaxed anyway.

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Cool. Again, I wouldn't do it myself.

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/02/2025 17:42

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:41

Cool. Again, I wouldn't do it myself.

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Again, I know. You've said it repeatedly.

I was simply answering your question.

Caspianberg · 05/02/2025 17:43

@Hoppingabout - so you have only eaten out in perfect scenarios. Don’t judge those who aren’t as fortunate then.

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:43

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/02/2025 17:42

Again, I know. You've said it repeatedly.

I was simply answering your question.

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Ah right..apologies. so.many replies to go through from various people I lost track.

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:45

Caspianberg · 05/02/2025 17:43

@Hoppingabout - so you have only eaten out in perfect scenarios. Don’t judge those who aren’t as fortunate then.

I'm not judging. I can't keep having to say this surely! It's.just my own opinion and experiences that I can refer to. This is what I think is good for my own children. I don't care about anyone else's as it's mumsnet and I don't know you.

And they certainly weren't all.perfect scenarios. But no screens is something I really believe in so I persevered.

Original poster
Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 05/02/2025 17:48

Again, so absolutist.

I have never used iPads or phones with my son either when out at restaurants. He sits in cafes and restaurants no problem because I put in all the hard work to get him to that stage. I don't judge others who do as I have friends who are happy to do that and I can see with my own eyes how lovely and well rounded their children are.

However we have been in A&E with him a lot and we take books for him to read. After many many hours with a frightened and sick child I don't mind letting him watch something on my phone to cheer him up. At one point we were in A&E so often I considered buying an iPad just for that purpose, but I haven't.

As for I hate screens. Is anyone really arguing for them?

Eh, yes! We don't do iPads or phones but of course my son has favourite programmes that he sometimes watches. I have so much nostalgia for all my favourite childhood television programmes: Art Attack, Animals of Farthing Wood, Funhouse, Bodger and Badger. I like that he has the same fondness for all of his favourite programmes. It's lovely.

OP posts:
Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:49

Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 05/02/2025 17:48

Again, so absolutist.

I have never used iPads or phones with my son either when out at restaurants. He sits in cafes and restaurants no problem because I put in all the hard work to get him to that stage. I don't judge others who do as I have friends who are happy to do that and I can see with my own eyes how lovely and well rounded their children are.

However we have been in A&E with him a lot and we take books for him to read. After many many hours with a frightened and sick child I don't mind letting him watch something on my phone to cheer him up. At one point we were in A&E so often I considered buying an iPad just for that purpose, but I haven't.

As for I hate screens. Is anyone really arguing for them?

Eh, yes! We don't do iPads or phones but of course my son has favourite programmes that he sometimes watches. I have so much nostalgia for all my favourite childhood television programmes: Art Attack, Animals of Farthing Wood, Funhouse, Bodger and Badger. I like that he has the same fondness for all of his favourite programmes. It's lovely.

Good for you.

Caspianberg · 05/02/2025 17:50

So your child’s in hospital a week, your have been with them 24/7 so talking constantly. Your discharged. Everyone is hungry and tired and not 100% and it’s a 2 hr drive home, so you go eat quick. The miserable child just wants to watch paw patrol and eat a pizza in peace.
But this is not allowed and you much have family time chatting? Bonkers

Original poster
Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 05/02/2025 17:50

@Hoppingabout

I'm not judging. I can't keep having to say this surely! It's.just my own opinion and experiences that I can refer to. This is what I think is good for my own children. I don't care about anyone else's as it's mumsnet and I don't know you.

You only have to read your own posts to see the proof of your judging. You even said in one post that you judge others.

If you didn't care so much you wouldn't be constantly posting on the thread.

Everyone has heard loud and clear how non judgemental you are and how your children do nothing but eat all hot dinners at the table. We get it.

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Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 05/02/2025 17:52

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SouthLondonMum22 · 05/02/2025 17:53

Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 05/02/2025 17:48

Again, so absolutist.

I have never used iPads or phones with my son either when out at restaurants. He sits in cafes and restaurants no problem because I put in all the hard work to get him to that stage. I don't judge others who do as I have friends who are happy to do that and I can see with my own eyes how lovely and well rounded their children are.

However we have been in A&E with him a lot and we take books for him to read. After many many hours with a frightened and sick child I don't mind letting him watch something on my phone to cheer him up. At one point we were in A&E so often I considered buying an iPad just for that purpose, but I haven't.

As for I hate screens. Is anyone really arguing for them?

Eh, yes! We don't do iPads or phones but of course my son has favourite programmes that he sometimes watches. I have so much nostalgia for all my favourite childhood television programmes: Art Attack, Animals of Farthing Wood, Funhouse, Bodger and Badger. I like that he has the same fondness for all of his favourite programmes. It's lovely.

Me too.

DS loves shouting ''take it off'' when we watch The Masked Singer together. Screen time doesn't always mean staring at the TV or ipad like a zombie and not interacting.

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:53

Ok well I tried. I couldn't have been much clearer that I was just speaking for myself. Isn't it good to have an.alternative point of view to your own sometimes?

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:55

Goodnightelizabethgoodnight · 05/02/2025 17:50

@Hoppingabout

I'm not judging. I can't keep having to say this surely! It's.just my own opinion and experiences that I can refer to. This is what I think is good for my own children. I don't care about anyone else's as it's mumsnet and I don't know you.

You only have to read your own posts to see the proof of your judging. You even said in one post that you judge others.

If you didn't care so much you wouldn't be constantly posting on the thread.

Everyone has heard loud and clear how non judgemental you are and how your children do nothing but eat all hot dinners at the table. We get it.

I was just politely replying to people..I didn't want to ignore anyone..But manners obviously not your strength so I can see why you are getting agitated with my replies.

Autther · 05/02/2025 17:55

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 17:53

Ok well I tried. I couldn't have been much clearer that I was just speaking for myself. Isn't it good to have an.alternative point of view to your own sometimes?

You literally said you were smug about it. You can share your view we just think it's wrong 😂

Autther · 05/02/2025 17:56

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/02/2025 17:53

Me too.

DS loves shouting ''take it off'' when we watch The Masked Singer together. Screen time doesn't always mean staring at the TV or ipad like a zombie and not interacting.

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Ha we do that too, funny as DD has no idea who anyone is

Hoppingabout · 05/02/2025 18:03

Autther · 05/02/2025 17:55

You literally said you were smug about it. You can share your view we just think it's wrong 😂

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Well I am smug to myself. That's allowed. And it was many years ago.

I have hopefully been polite giving an alternative view.