God, who wants to go to a lunch where you have to engage with and read to other people's toddlers? What is the point? How is that enjoyable?

ah yes, we are in the age of lazy parents. Don't want to be bugged my your annoying kid - stick a device in front of them and have them shut up while you peacefully eat your meal and talk to your friend.

God forbid - a 10 minute or more car ride?? Break out the devices and have the kid zone out!!

Sheesh.

i have a friend who lets both her kids each have a tablet (ages 4 and 7) if they are going to be the car for longer than 10 minutes. I kept my mouth shut but yes I judged that.

OP, I would find a new group of friends. I don't have any friends who let their toddlers use tablets at restaurants. My 4 year old loves to color and sometimes says hi to the other guests at the restaurant. She loves being out! When we're in the grocery store, we talk about the food. I let her pick out at least one thing. Sometimes I let her hold a balloon from the floral shop, but we never buy it. We have a great time when we're out!

I am glad you picked up a useful parenting trick from the other moms

OP, I would have been REALLY surprised but would try not to judge.

Anonymous wrote:Eh. I'm not a big fan of toddlers on ipads, but I do let my son (6) play chess on my phone if there's a long wait at a restaurant. My friend's similarly aged daughter was instead repeatedly spitting water onto our table through a straw for entertainment, which I find much more disruptive.

This is such a ridiculous false dichotomy.

*NOR that your kid is some kind of saint

Anonymous wrote: Are the other moms concerned you'll judge their kids for misbehaving? We don't do phone/tablets at the table, either, but it would never occur to me to bash my friends on the internet about it, so you may be contributing to the issue.

Oh, yeah, this is definitely it. All 5 other moms lived in mortal fear of this single woman’s judgment that they made sure to bring iPads, for, you know— the OP’s benefit. Give me a break.

OP, I’m with you. There’s no way all FIVE of these kids are such absolute behavioral nightmares that they can’t be managed without being plugged in. Not that your kid is some sort of saint.

I wouldn’t think these moms are terrible nor feel superior— but I’d feel a little disappointed and a lot awkward.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some kids are easier than others.

My first was easy to entertain with toys and stickers. My second isn’t and it’s nice to give her a device and be able to chill and enjoy my my meal and company.

Same here!

+1

Must be OP’s first kid.

I said 5-6 pages ago that I have a 3 year old and has never used a tablet at a meal time either.

Same here. I have two kids, and we don’t allow devices at meals.

I love that you just brought toys! I start with toys (20 minutes?) and then have the tablet for backup (works for hours?). And in those cases, it is true, the date is more for me than my toddler, and I use the tablet when I want more time for myself with my friends. When the date is about her, I leave the tablet at home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some kids are easier than others.

My first was easy to entertain with toys and stickers. My second isn’t and it’s nice to give her a device and be able to chill and enjoy my my meal and company.

Same here!

+1

Must be OP’s first kid.

I said 5-6 pages ago that I have a 3 year old and has never used a tablet at a meal time either.

Eh. I'm not a big fan of toddlers on ipads, but I do let my son (6) play chess on my phone if there's a long wait at a restaurant. My friend's similarly aged daughter was instead repeatedly spitting water onto our table through a straw for entertainment, which I find much more disruptive.

Well, OP, no one is forcing your kid to use a tablet and you don't have to let him. At the same time, you don't get to pick what other moms bring to entertain their own kids. You do you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some kids are easier than others.

My first was easy to entertain with toys and stickers. My second isn’t and it’s nice to give her a device and be able to chill and enjoy my my meal and company.

Same here!

+1

Must be OP’s first kid.

What did parents do before devices? never went to a restauarant I guess. Find something else to entertain your kid. It is a choice!