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?

It honestly never occurs to me to bring a tablet and I was really surprised that EVERYONE had one. I thought that since we all had little kids we would sort of be in it together: engaging the kids, reading, chatting. I didn’t think I was the *only* one who had a child who doesn’t use a tablet. My guy just sat there with no friends!

First off, your kid is 18 months. If he were a bit older you would have a huge problem on your hands (likely, depending on personality) because I've been in these situations plenty. At 18 months my children would be complacent about all the nearby screens but by 2 or 3, watch out. They'd be clawing their way to the nearest tablet. I really avoided screen time to the best of my ability, especially in a situation like you described. But honestly, it's not the worst thing and you have no idea how much screen time these kids are actually getting. Lay off the judgement, OP. It's not a good look.

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?

Thank you PP. My thoughts exactly!

Me again. Now I sort of get it OP. I guess the real question is what was the intention of the meal? If it really is supposed to be for the kids I understand your point (and I was sort of in the "against you" camp at first.). But if so, why wasn't it at someone's home or a park? Is that where the meet ups usually are and this was a one time thing to go out for lunch? If so, it seems maybe everyone else was thinking the going out thing really was more for the moms, just this one time.

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?

Thank you PP. My thoughts exactly!

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?

It honestly never occurs to me to bring a tablet and I was really surprised that EVERYONE had one. I thought that since we all had little kids we would sort of be in it together: engaging the kids, reading, chatting. I didn’t think I was the *only* one who had a child who doesn’t use a tablet. My guy just sat there with no friends!

And that's how to create a child addicted to screens at early age.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a restaurant guest and a mother of older children, I would rather children be kept quiet on a tablet or flipping through a board book instead of "playing" in a restaurant. It's not a playground. If your child cannot sit quietly, then they should not be there.

+1. SMH at OP who is shocked by the other mothers who apparently didn't confuse the restaurant with a playground.

Why don't you suggest a picnic at a park for the next get together OP. That seems more appropriate if you want a bunch of toddlers playing together.

And that's how to create a child addicted to screens ar early age.

Anonymous wrote:As a restaurant guest and a mother of older children, I would rather children be kept quiet on a tablet or flipping through a board book instead of "playing" in a restaurant. It's not a playground. If your child cannot sit quietly, then they should not be there.

+1. SMH at OP who is shocked by the other mothers who apparently didn't confuse the restaurant with a playground.

Why don't you suggest a picnic at a park for the next get together OP. That seems more appropriate if you want a bunch of toddlers playing together.

OP you are great! I'm with you!
Kids dont need that much of screen and for eating lunch and snacks? That's spoiling the hell out of them! Poor kids, thier parents are lazy at disciplining.
I'm a huge tech nerd so is my husband! We play on our PS4 and PC, switch consoles!
And we would never give them screen si he can eat his food. He has to do chores, be empathetic with friends and then watch if he has nothing else to do. I like my kid use his imagination, play with his toys, use pretend play. That's how we grew up with.

Its ad o pathetic to see parents putting tv so kids can eat thier food.

As a restaurant guest and a mother of older children, I would rather children be kept quiet on a tablet or flipping through a board book instead of "playing" in a restaurant. It's not a playground. If your child cannot sit quietly, then they should not be there.

Anonymous wrote:I’m not anti-device, but yeah, that’s weird. I would have gone expecting it to be a social occasion for the kids, too.

+1. I think it’s weird too OP!

This is less about screens and more about how sometimes moms want to get together without toddlers, and that's OK!

It doesn't matter. It just doesnt. Now that my kids are older I have realized all this doesn't matter. Breast milk, how long your kids have a paci, who watches tv/who doesnt, tablets and phone access, etc etc. There's a million ways to skin a cat. Kids can be raised all sorts of different ways and turn out fine. My 3rd was a terror in restaurants and I would have pulled out my phone, my iPad and let him play with the tampons on my purse in order to finish my eggs real quick. There all good kids. Just like I'm sure all those tablet moms that your judging (and yes this is judgement...stop with the "I was just surprised blah blah blah) are good moms. It's fine. It really is.

Anonymous wrote:If that works for you - great! But I don't think you need to judge others for making different parenting choices.

This. You have two kids ages 3 and under, that’s not a very big sample size. Be thankful that they have been easy! Two of my kids were easy at restaurants at the age. One was not. The only way I could have any sort of adult conversation with him around was if I brought a tablet. Now that he is older, we never bring electronics or even toys. But 18 months was the absolute most difficult age for us to eat out with him. He couldn’t talk at all, clumsy and bumping into things, zero interest in toys or sitting still. You do you but please don’t judge other parents.

If that works for you - great! But I don't think you need to judge others for making different parenting choices.

I'm with you, OP. I view mealtimes as an opportunity to teach my kids how to behave at mealtimes. I don't care if that makes me sanctimonious. My 2yo is generally - not always - pretty pleasant at meals. I talk with him and help him eat without making too big a mess. What are people trying to distract their kids from?