every mom but me brought a tablet to toddler breakfast

[Anonymous]

We are super-low screen time. But in this situation, I’m not surprised your friends(?) brought tablets. They wanted to avoid being the mom with the crazy kid running around while the moms were trying to socialize. This was about making the other parents feel comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are super-low screen time. But in this situation, I’m not surprised your friends(?) brought tablets. They wanted to avoid being the mom with the crazy kid running around while the moms were trying to socialize. This was about making the other parents feel comfortable.

Then why not wait to pull them out until necessary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a bunch of clueless moms when it comes to picking an appropriate meeting place that involves little kids too. A restaurant would make sense if it’s a mom’s day out sans kids, but if it’s moms and kids together then a playground, the zoo, a house etc makes a lot more sense for a get together.

This was not in DC.

We all dropped of our kids off at the same camp and then decided to go a nearby (rinky dink) country diner to eat for the hour until we had to pick them back up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good for you, OP! I also pityda fools by using such a powerful, addictive device on such young minds. Ignore the haters and keep a book-rich environment in your home.

Thank you. I’m just shocked: no one is teaching their child the art of killing time...?

[Anonymous]

You are a SAHM and your 3 year old is in camp... three year old should be with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are super-low screen time. But in this situation, I’m not surprised your friends(?) brought tablets. They wanted to avoid being the mom with the crazy kid running around while the moms were trying to socialize. This was about making the other parents feel comfortable.

Then why not wait to pull them out until necessary?

Because one mom pulled it out and the others followed the lead? Who cares? Jesus. I can’t believe the judgment. They were trying to distract their kids for an hour. For all you know it’s the only hour of tv they have had all month. If you think these friends are crappy parents stop hanging out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I probably wouldn't have brought a tablet either, but I am not exactly sure how you all expected a bunch of 18 month olds or whatever to "socialize" in confined chairs at a restaurant.

I think that is odder than bringing entertainment for them. It is not like they are on a playground or a floor where they can play...

Seriously. How did you envision this going down?

I have been in a moms groups since our kids were weeks old. Five moms, five kids. We’ve dined out a thousand times without electronics and live to tell the tale. We engage, hold and talk to each other’s kids (they are 6 now). We talk. The kids shared rattles and crayons and books and cars. Now they share stories and conversations.

I think it’s sad when I see a toddler stumbling around Target with his head buried in a tablet, or a table full of grown ups with kids at the same table with headphones on and mesmerized by a screen. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHILDREN.

Don’t try to defend it. None of us grew up with it. It’s lazy parenting at its worst.

Thumbs up, I couldnt say it better. ?

[Anonymous]

Meeting up at any restaurant with toddlers doesn’t sound like a place where toddlers will have room to run around and interact so I think it is strange that you didn’t think moms would provide screens. Why didn’t you encourage your kid to socialize and interact and watch with the other kids since Yu said you wanted interaction. Stop being so judgy.

[Anonymous]

If you youtube a baby crying when they take his phone away from him it will break your heart. Irresponsible parents.

[Anonymous]

Tablets are just asking for a power struggle. I’m not down for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meeting up at any restaurant with toddlers doesn’t sound like a place where toddlers will have room to run around and interact so I think it is strange that you didn’t think moms would provide screens. Why didn’t you encourage your kid to socialize and interact and watch with the other kids since Yu said you wanted interaction. Stop being so judgy.

It truly never crossed my mind. I really didn’t realize that this is what parents did now. I packed a bag of cars and trucks and other quiet toys and I totally assumed everyone else would also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meeting up at any restaurant with toddlers doesn’t sound like a place where toddlers will have room to run around and interact so I think it is strange that you didn’t think moms would provide screens. Why didn’t you encourage your kid to socialize and interact and watch with the other kids since Yu said you wanted interaction. Stop being so judgy.

Your writing style is very confusing. You have no idea what OP encouraged her child to do, the accusations are a little weird. And no, most parents wouldn’t think to bring a screen for a social outing.

[Anonymous]

It's crazy how things change so quickly. My youngest is 6 and this never happened to me. Tablets are becoming used even more year by year. Crazy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meeting up at any restaurant with toddlers doesn’t sound like a place where toddlers will have room to run around and interact so I think it is strange that you didn’t think moms would provide screens. Why didn’t you encourage your kid to socialize and interact and watch with the other kids since Yu said you wanted interaction. Stop being so judgy.

It truly never crossed my mind. I really didn’t realize that this is what parents did now. I packed a bag of cars and trucks and other quiet toys and I totally assumed everyone else would also.

NP. Bringing toys, a book, crayons, etc is the norm for little kids in restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Those of you saying your toddlers aren't easy and there isn't another choice -- you get that this wasn't a thing even 10 years ago, right? And somehow we've all survived. Agree with pp -- books, small toys, etc.