Wastful children/grandchildren - should I say something?

[Anonymous]

Dear grandma and grandpa,

Thank you for much for taking me out to dinner. I know you love to take us out to really nice places. I will always cherish our time together.

Thanks again,

Your grandson

PS The lobster and steak were awesome. You rock!

[Anonymous]

*so much

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Our kids are 8 and 5 and we do take them out to very nice restaurants as well, but we tell them up front what things cost and that they cannot get the most expensive thing on the menu

If you can afford to take them to fancy restaurants and they actually eat the food, what difference does it make if they order the most expensive things on the menu on some occasions?

On some occasions, it's fine. But we eat out often at nice places, simply because I want them to have the experience of doing so. If we're at an expense-account type of restaurant, they are not going to get something expensive when an appetizer or two will do the trick.

[Anonymous]

Just tell the waiter to box it up and bring it home. Dh loves left overs cause he is a little cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Our kids are 8 and 5 and we do take them out to very nice restaurants as well, but we tell them up front what things cost and that they cannot get the most expensive thing on the menu

If you can afford to take them to fancy restaurants and they actually eat the food, what difference does it make if they order the most expensive things on the menu on some occasions?

On some occasions, it's fine. But we eat out often at nice places, simply because I want them to have the experience of doing so. If we're at an expense-account type of restaurant, they are not going to get something expensive when an appetizer or two will do the trick.

Wow, just get a babysitter. My parents never made us stick to "an appetizer or two." That defeats the purpose of the experience IMHO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Our kids are 8 and 5 and we do take them out to very nice restaurants as well, but we tell them up front what things cost and that they cannot get the most expensive thing on the menu

If you can afford to take them to fancy restaurants and they actually eat the food, what difference does it make if they order the most expensive things on the menu on some occasions?

On some occasions, it's fine. But we eat out often at nice places, simply because I want them to have the experience of doing so. If we're at an expense-account type of restaurant, they are not going to get something expensive when an appetizer or two will do the trick.

Wow, just get a babysitter. My parents never made us stick to "an appetizer or two." That defeats the purpose of the experience IMHO.

Not the PP, but I often order 2 appetizers because it's a more appropriate amount of food and they are often more creative than the entrees. I don't feel the need to have an entrée to get the experience. My kids are teens and they often order salads and soups because that's what they want - one of my kids doesn't eat any meat or seafood so the entrees usually don't do it for her. Sounds like this parent knows what her kids will eat and guides them appropriately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Our kids are 8 and 5 and we do take them out to very nice restaurants as well, but we tell them up front what things cost and that they cannot get the most expensive thing on the menu

If you can afford to take them to fancy restaurants and they actually eat the food, what difference does it make if they order the most expensive things on the menu on some occasions?

On some occasions, it's fine. But we eat out often at nice places, simply because I want them to have the experience of doing so. If we're at an expense-account type of restaurant, they are not going to get something expensive when an appetizer or two will do the trick.

Wow, just get a babysitter. My parents never made us stick to "an appetizer or two." That defeats the purpose of the experience IMHO.

Not the PP, but I often order 2 appetizers because it's a more appropriate amount of food and they are often more creative than the entrees. I don't feel the need to have an entrée to get the experience. My kids are teens and they often order salads and soups because that's what they want - one of my kids doesn't eat any meat or seafood so the entrees usually don't do it for her. Sounds like this parent knows what her kids will eat and guides them appropriately.

That's fine for the most part but not at expense account restaurant that the PP was talking about. Honestly, you don't go to Peter Luger's or Cipriani to order an appetizer. If you want to eat someyhing small go for tapas or take home the rest of your entree.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for the spelling errors above, Chrome on my iPhone is not formatting well with DCUM.

[Anonymous]

On some occasions, it's fine. But we eat out often at nice places, simply because I want them to have the experience of doing so. If we're at an expense-account type of restaurant, they are not going to get something expensive when an appetizer or two will do the trick.

Ok, that at least makes somewhat more sense. The way you initially stated it made it sound like you would not ever let them order the most expensive thing on the menu, even if it was something that they enjoyed and would eat all of.

[Anonymous]

OP, I can see why this would perturb you, but I agree with the PPs who said to let it go. My guess is that in another year or so he will have better judgment about what to order in relation to what he can actually consume. Let the memories be of the good time together, not the curtailment of the amount of food he was allowed to order.

By the way, you sound like a nice grandma for taking your grandkids out to nice dinners!

[Anonymous]

I can understand. We give our grandchildren Cart Blanche when we take them out. They always order more than they can eat and I end up dreading the next time and coming up with all sorts of ways to tell them it's wasteful, but I don't. I think it's partly generational, but the lack of respect for our hard earned savings is what bothers me most. I'm sure if they were paying, they'd be more thoughtful.

[Anonymous]

Have you ever asked for a doggy bag? I'm sure his parents would be happy to give him the rest for breakfast or lunch. It is not your but in. If you don't like it when you are paying simply say you can get this or that, but nothing more than ---dollars.

[Anonymous]

Oh yes, we ask for doggie bags for us all the time-the portions are too big for us, but never ask for the kids.

[Anonymous]

What's wrong with telling the kid to order a two pound lobster instead of a three pound lobster?? An animal died just to be tossed in the landfill? Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Cook them dinner at your house. The memories will be more meaningful and you can keep the left overs!