Tablets in restaurants. Yes or no?
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You’re going to have people that agree with you or disagree with you about most aspects of parenting, it’s just the way of things. Everyone has to determine what’s right for them.
I don’t understand the people who say no here, if our parents had had access to the same technology they 1000% would have also utilised it too. Headphone on make no noise, it’s not hurting anybody, dinners with kids are generally short anyway so it won’t even be much screen time and like you say you’ve been doing hardcore one on one time all day! Sod them.
I would say it’s fine with headphones. I had a business lunch with a client and there was a family blasting cocomelon at the next table. We couldn’t hear each other. That happened before having kids and made me decide not to do it. I think as long as you’re not disturbing other diners, it’s fine. It’s when people are inconsiderate over the volume…it becomes an issue.
Personally I stick to no screens during meal times but I'm also think choose your battles. It's your holiday too, you should be able to enjoy it, and holidays can have different rules. At the end of the day I think this is a personal decision that's yours to make. I know it's not easy but try and ignore the judgment, I'm sure you'd disagree with some of there parenting choices too.
It’s a no for me only because I don’t want my child watching tv while he eats but I don’t judge anyone who uses a tablet occasionally when out to eat and completely understand why. I do judge the people in restaurants who give the dirty looks when someone’s child is being loud or crying though! Sometimes I feel it’s peoples bad manners that pressure parents into using a tablet as a way to keep their child quiet X
It’s a no for me only because I grew up not being allowed any sort of electronic devices or toys at dinner since that was family time so I’m trying to keep it the same but she gets the tablet in the car so I can drive in peace
@Kim oh yeah I’d never let him watch it without headphones. That makes me mad too.
To be honest if we go out for dinner at home we don’t really use it but on holiday when you’re having to eat out every night it gets boring for him and the last holiday was just ruined because every night was spent running round after him, getting annoyed and never having a chance to relax so this time we actually came home feeling like we’d had a holiday. The people looking just seemed disgusted but they probably would’ve been more disgusted if they’d seen him on the previous holiday 🤣
There was a couple sat next to us a few nights and their kid was a bit younger than ours and was giving them hell. They were the only ones who actually looked at us and seemed jealous 🤣 bet you any money if we were to see them on holiday again their kid would be sat with a tablet.
I have brought out my phone in desperation a few times but we aren’t regular tablet users. I think exposure works best but we have been in slow restaurants and it’s hard for toddlers to sit still that long.
We never allow a tablet in a restaurant or out for dinner - my son is 2 and as we have taken him out and always stuck to the same approach which is a couple of his toys or drawings his good as gold and loves going out to eat . It’s special family time . If they have a tablet and Headphones I don’t really see point in taking them out Z
Whatever you do people would look at you .. We were in a restaurant while on holiday and my LG was the only one no using tablet or a phone And everyone was looking at us like we are weird .. we got even asked ah poor little girl she doesn’t have a tablet !!
@Jade ah you’re lucky. We obviously tried all of those things before using a tablet but some kids just aren’t the same. Mines an explorer! Yeah we kinda had to take him on the holiday with us. Like I said, we don’t really use it for meals out at home but on holiday a week of eating out past bedtime after being full on active all day is hard work for anybody let alone a 3 year old so allowing him to have that relaxing time and also giving us the relaxing time made the holiday more enjoyable for all of us.
We personally don't do tablets/phones/TVs whilst eating, that includes at restaurants. We usually keep occupied in other ways
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It’s hit and miss. I personally will be getting a tablet for my boy to have on plane journeys and when going out for meals where he could get bored. HOWEVER he will not be on the tablet when physically eating and he does also need to interact with me and whoever else is at the table he’s not just allowed to be zoned out on the tablet.
It’s not for us personally. We just adjusted our expectations.
Honestly I wouldn’t give a shit what people thought I never have. My sons autistic and we always have the pad when we go out to eat
Do what you need to do in my opinion and ignore everyone else - they aren’t the ones dealing with a fussy child while you’re trying to have a meal
We have no family to help with our LO as they live abroad so if we want to go and have a dinner out she comes with us. I really don’t care if she gets to sit and watch her tablet for an hour if it means we get to go out and have a nice meal too. I do so many activities with her and am constantly outside. This is one tiny part of that particular day, people don’t know what she’s been doing the rest of the day.
It's a no for me. My husband and I have a united front for no ipads and electronics for as long as possible. People can do what they want, and we shall do the same for ours. We intend to raise a 90's kid so that crap won't fly for us for a second. My sister has ipad kids; her kids are poorly mannered and can't function without their electronics for the most part. I can't speak for other people's kids beyond that... but y'all do you.
Need must! Absolutely fine… kids don’t appreciate the wait or restaurant experience, just want there bellies filled…
Fully agree with what @Haley said. We stopped using tablets in restaurants about a year ago. But before we would use them once in a while. My husband has a very demanding job and sometimes dinner would be the only time we would see each other. We would NEED that time to have adult conversation, to talk about important things coming up, etc. Who gives a flying f what people think. Do you.
100%. I allow my child to use my phone or my tablet in a food place. He likes to watch something when he's eating so wherever we are, he will still do that. Plus it calms him down instead of him climbing tables and making soo much noise.
We have a rule that every toy needs to be touched and every game needs to be played before we suggest (with a little head nod and an eyebrow wiggle lol) the phone. We have screen free meals at home but sometimes in public if it’s a long wait or a struggle it makes being out more enjoyable for everyone.
No tablet nor phone for kids or adults. We should stop this madness. Talk to each other and involve your kid with topics that includes him. Of course if you just talk about adult stuff he won't be interested and may be more fussy. If not interested at talking, many other small games can be taken to a restaurant to keep him busy and happy.
If it’s not my kid I do not care, especially if they have headphones in but if I can hear fricken cocomelon from my table trying to eat I’m gonna be extremely annoyed if it’s a nicer place. I personally never use iPads at restaurants I feel like a few crayons and a kids menu or your own coloring sheet works just as well while actually letting the kids stay in tune with the world and not zombie out and disrupt their attention spans. But again, if it’s not my kids I don’t care I just don’t want to hear it I think people who let their kids have it on loud are very rude
People are going to judge you. Probably even parents. But fuck them. Do what you want My philosophy is parents deserve to have something for themselves occasionally. When we go out, sometimes it is about ME! I want to enjoy my food and have an adult conversation. 99% of my life is for my kids. I’m allowed to occasionally go to a restaurant and have some peace.