https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 11 May 2026 02:12:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2584237 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 14:03:23 +0000 travelgirl1 2584237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keepcalmcarrie: thinking of you.<br /> Yes, we do. We try crayons, conversation etc first, and I ask for the kids' stuff to be brought as soon as it is ready. But sometimes, we still need to bring out the tablet. I'm okay with it. I find it worse when see adults on their devices at a restaurant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2584209 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 13:43:27 +0000 edelweiss 2584209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yes, we definitely do--some of the restaurants we go to have big tvs and lo watches them. i don't limit it to a last resort or only if he's acting really antsy. i generally don't let him watch things on my phone because he turns into a tantruming beast when it's over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2584180 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 13:16:44 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 2584180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone for the sweet wishes :heart: I didn't want to threadjack, but it made me think and I did want to offer a perspective where there might be a good reason the kids are staring at screens for much of a meal. I totally understand the "good for them, not for me" approach and apply that to all my parenting too - I know most people here who don't give their kids a phone or tablet at a restaurant wouldn't care at all what the next table was doing. But I know enough people IRL who would definitely judge a situation like that - just on face value - and I do suspect there there are people who've posted here who would side-eye parents doing that as well. Not that there's a family crisis going on at every table you see like that, but I think it's kind to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2584075 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 10:59:40 +0000 Mrsbells 2584075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: i havent read all the other posts but we dont let LO use our phones at restaurants. We usually go to places that have kid menus with crayons and that keeps her occupied. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2584017 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 10:04:13 +0000 mediagirl 2584017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keepcalmcarrie: it is so true that you never do know what is happening with the family. I'm so sorry about your dad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2584016 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 10:03:08 +0000 mediagirl 2584016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, we don't. My husband would like to but follows my wishes not to. I don't want to be "that" family that sits at the table, staring at their devices. </p> <p>If we are waiting for a table and are outside, we might let her watch something to keep her from running into traffic. Never at the table, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2584014 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 09:58:54 +0000 alphagam84 2584014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pink: why didn't she let you play with those things? Afraid of germs or just didn't think it was proper? I know we always put them back like we found them and I think it was good sorting practice to put the sugar packets back by color. And what's the salt trick? Just put salt on the table and cover with the container so you don't see it? Am I missing how it's a trick? :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2584006 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 09:49:52 +0000 alphagam84 2584006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keepcalmcarrie: I truly don't judge anyone for that-I just think it's not for me and move on :) And I'm glad he's going to be okay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2583931 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:41:34 +0000 littlebug 2583931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keepcalmcarrie: Thinking of you and your father. Hope he recovers quickly. I agree with you, though. You just never know what's happening at the next table. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2583929 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:34:55 +0000 Bao 2583929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keepcalmcarrie: I'm glad he is going to be ok! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2583926 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:20:57 +0000 SweetiePie 2583926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keepcalmcarrie: Glad he seems to be ok :heart:<br /> Why anyone gives a flying F what someone is doing at another table is beyond me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/3#post-2583912 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 05:59:45 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 2583912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really hope people mean it when they say that aren't judging other parents who do this. You don't know what is going on at the next table. My dad had a major heart attack this weekend, and when we went to dinner near the hospital after I visited him, my kids played with our phones most of the time so I could decompress and talk to my husband. He should be okay, but it was a terrifying day and I would have been extremely disappointed in the human race (and pissed off) had I known anyone sitting around us was judging that screen time. Again, you don't know what someone else is dealing with. It could be the worst day of that mom or dad's life. </p> <p>Anyway, sorry for that rant. I was surprised when this thread was first posted that this bothered or "surprised" so many commenters when they saw other parents doing it at restaurants, and the thought of this post did cross my mind at the restaurant. Just food for thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583899 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 02:12:01 +0000 Boogs 2583899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. We don't let our kids use our phones in general. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583717 Sun, 10 Jul 2016 11:11:24 +0000 Maysprout 2583717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have games on my phone so it's not our go to. But if we're catching up with old friends or know it's going to be a long dinner for whatever reason I'll sometimes bring my ipad along for them to play games on once they're finished eating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583684 Sun, 10 Jul 2016 09:18:18 +0000 littlebug 2583684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@alphagam84: I definitely sit at restaurants and wonder how our parents did it! I think the answer is we really didn't go out to eat all that much when we were this young. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583679 Sun, 10 Jul 2016 09:01:00 +0000 rachiecakes 2583679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pink: same. we were taught not to touch food or condiments unless we were going to eat them. They were not items for play.<br /> I also never use them at family restaurants because I imagine they've been touched a thousand times over by little germy hands :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583673 Sun, 10 Jul 2016 08:45:54 +0000 ShootingStar 2583673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@alphagam84: Engaging a toddler can be exhausting. Mine seems to leave daycare even more energized, as opposed to being tired from playing all day. And sometimes you want to have a conversation with DH vs spending all your mental energy on a toddler that wants to stand on the seat and try to destroy everything on the table. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583629 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 21:49:15 +0000 Mrs. Pink 2583629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@alphagam84: we weren't allowed to touch those things on the tables when I was a kid-- my mom about lost her mind when my dad showed us a "magic trick" of putting salt on the table and resting the salt shaker on it- we thought it was so cool (because we were like, 6) and my mom... not so much haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583591 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 20:22:04 +0000 alphagam84 2583591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is only 8 months so we haven't had any struggles yet but I'm going to try my best not to. I just plan to engage her and play with her. It surprises me how much people rely on technology these days to entertain their kids (not judging). I remember coloring or playing with the sugar packets and creamer containers and making buildings out of them when I was little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583586 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 19:52:08 +0000 Mrs. Pink 2583586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yes. unless we forget her kindle fire... in which case I almost always give her my phone, complete with preloaded episodes of her favorite shows... we don't get to eat out as much anymore so I'm all about doing what I can to make sure I get to eat without having to get up and wander around (or eat cold stuff at home)</p> <p>We give her crayons and such as well and she chooses which she'd rather do, it's about 50/50-- I do make sure volume is down to barely though.</p> <p>we also do this during waits for doctors appointments etc. and uh I have no shame :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583567 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 18:16:19 +0000 jaguar 2583567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bring it sometimes if we're in for a long night (or a big event that will last for ages) but I usually try to avoid first - only because she has a short attention span and gets bored easily. I don't care if I use it or not, to be honest. We start without &amp; bring out if things spiral.. but it's not an expectation one way or the other. I'm not a huge anti-screen time person though, so it doesn't phase me. And if it gives us an extra ten minutes to eat our dinner or have an adult conversation, I think it's totally worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583566 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 18:10:34 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2583566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trailmix: thank you! I'm like Crayons only last 3 minutes max over here! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583558 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 17:49:28 +0000 Tanjowen 2583558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We totally use screen time after LO finishes his meal. Which usually happens before I take 2 bites. :silly: I want to eat my meal hot and while sitting down, and usually have already spent the time leading up to getting food using up all my charm and energy keeping him happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583556 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 17:44:58 +0000 GreenThumb 2583556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, but that's probably because we don't have any games or watch shows on the phone in the first place. Not for any particular reason, just never did that. No judgement towards parents that do. She probably gets enough screen time in front of the TV to make up for her lack of phone use :silly: . Also, we don't eat out very much and DD (3) is reasonably well-behaved when we do. I also keep matchbox cars, books and other little toys with me to occupy her if needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583545 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 16:33:07 +0000 Trailmix 2583545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hell to the yeah, we do! With twins, it's the only way I'd get to eat my food! And actually participate in some sort of meaningful, engaging conversation. And I have no shame about it either. I bring crayons, books and other toys but those only last us so long. And then once I bust the iPad out, my husband and I are always like- 'Ahhhh, why did we wait this long?' Haha. Am very surprised at the number of adamant 'No' responses and have to admit, mildly rolling my eyes at a lot of them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583396 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 06:52:41 +0000 delight 2583396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: those Water Wow books are awesome. I always carry one with me, DD can't get D enough of them! I've found cheap knock offs at the Dollar Store which work just as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583378 Sat, 09 Jul 2016 01:51:47 +0000 HLK208 2583378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. DS and DD1 are old enough to color and talk while we wait for our food. If I gave my phone to DD2, she would probably cause a scene. She yells when thinks don't work the way she wants them to! </p> <p>I don't judge other parents if they allow scree time. You do what you have to do. It just doesn't work well for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583206 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 14:41:56 +0000 Alba4 2583206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So far we are able to get by with books and matchbox cars, oh and those awesome Melissa and Doug water pen/paint books. I really try to avoid phones at the table. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583201 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 14:27:18 +0000 littlebug 2583201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Eminthevalley: Agreed about the volume. If D is playing on the phone, the volume is off or so low that even I can't hear it sitting right next to him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screen-time-at-restaurants/page/2#post-2583197 Fri, 08 Jul 2016 14:21:37 +0000 Eminthevalley 2583197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Never, and it's something I feel pretty strongly about. We are very careful about going out to eat--we go early, to make sure we're going to eat on my twin boys' schedule, pretty much do family-friendly restaurants, take snacks and play the what's missing game. It is also super helpful that they have watched the Daniel Tiger about waiting in a restaurant and Daniel also played what's missing. I also have two happy meal toys they got over a year ago that I keep in the diaper bag and only pull out if we're waiting longer than normal--they never play with them otherwise so it's a big deal.<br /> I try not to judge other parents, but was recently at Olive Garden (not my fave, but family friendly) and the table behind me was letting their LO watch videos so loud on their phone that I literally couldn't hear my husband across the table! It was less of a parenting thing and more of a manners thing. </p>