I saw someone pointing fingers at my DD

[TheMaryClaire]

Hi Mums! I just want to get this off my chest and maybe get some advice from you all.

My daughter and I went to this restaurant (i don't want to mention the name) over the weekend and had some dinner there. Of course, as a child, my DD has a really short attention span, so after watching some videos, she started wandering around the restaurant hall and waving at all the people coming in.

Some people appreciate it and smile at her, so I just let her move around. Suddenly, a lady (around 50 yo) started stopping her and pointing a finger at her, saying that she should not be running around the restaurant.

While I know that she's right, I feel that it's not appropriate to point your fingers at someone else's child. I just apologise to her and walk away with my daughter in tow but I feel extremely uncomfortable in my heart.

What do you think?

I don't think you should allow your DC to walk around in a restaurant.

It is not safe for the staff /other customers and no one else thinks your DC is as cute as you do.

If she can't stay in her seat get deliveroo

Do you think she cast a curse on her or something? 🙄

I think if you don't want people pointing at your child, you shouldn't let her merrily wander around getting under everyone's feet in a restaurant.

🍿

This is gonna be a good one

Your DD was annoying people, sooner or later someone was going to say or do something. It just happened to be a pointed finger in this case.

Is this a joke?

I think this is on you, you said you knew she shouldn't be wandering around a restaurant and you are right. You need to find a way to engage her while she's seated at the table or eat somewhere with a playspace.

Why are you letting your child walk round in a restaurant? It's not funny or cute, it's annoying

Pretty sure your daughter is going to be ok, despite the finger pointing.

And you shouldn't be letting her wander around a restaurant for goodness sake.

I take it you are posting a reverse here.

Basically it was easier for you to let her wonder around despite it being a pain for everyone else. Some smile and just think great hope she isn't near me others actually tell you. You enjoy your lunch and others don't.

She should not have been wandering round the restaurant and as you didn't parent her in that moment someone else stepped in. Also I hate kids having screens out and about. My kids chat or colour or read a book whilst they wait for the food.

How old is your daughter? Why don’t you want to name the restaurant? (Thousands of people eat out every day, it’s not outing).

You mentioned rough age of lady but not your daughter? How old is daughter?
It can be extremely dangerous to allow children to run around unsupervised in restaurants if they knock hot food or drink.
If you wanted to let her walk around you should have walked around with her that's what I do with mine if they get restless.

You need to train your child otherwise bystanders like the one you’re complaining about may do it you

I take it you're joking or being deliberately provocative for some peculiar reason. The woman, as you note, was quite right. Her pointing was fine and much less inappropriate than your waving, wandering, annoying offspring.

Damn these annoying 50somethings. And their pointy fingers!

Your DD needs to remain seated in a restaurant. That's pretty standard, getting pointed at wasn't the worst thing that could have happened.

My daughter was a waitress. She said kids wandering around was a nightmare, as sometimes they'd just walk in front of you and almost trip you up while you're carrying a tray of hot food.
I'm sure you'd have been more upset if your child was covered in boiling hot soup or similar.

You're going to get torn to shreds here - good luck op!

You object to someone pointing their finger? Why?

Throwing curses and failing to appreciate the adorable child getting under everyone’s feet and bothering people

damn us old crones indeed

Thank goodness she didn't wag that pointy old finger whilst she was at it.

Oh my goodness. This is neither safe nor reasonable. How old is she? She should absolutely NOT be wandering around a restaurant where people will be carrying hot food and glasses. It’s just dangerous and irritating for everyone. Don’t eat out if she can’t sit. I have 5 kids and one of them wouldn’t sit so we stayed in until she learnt.

You shouldn’t be letting your toddler wander around a restaurant, unless walking to or from the toilets. It’s dangerous for the staff carrying lots of food and drink.
When we go to a restaurant I make sure I take a couple of books, small puzzles, sketch board, sticker books etc to keep my toddler occupied. Between that and chatting about what’s around us we’re fine. I completely appreciate all children are different! But if he wouldn’t sit down for the meal I would avoid eating out, or choose a place with a play area, until he could sit relatively nicely.

You want some advice? Don’t let your daughter wander around busy restaurants. And there are other things to keep a child entertained apart from watching videos, you know, like books and toys 🙄