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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.
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.
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@keepcalmcarrie: Glad he seems to be ok
Why anyone gives a flying F what someone is doing at another table is beyond me. -
@keepcalmcarrie: I'm glad he is going to be ok!
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@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.
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@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!
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@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?
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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.
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.
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@keepcalmcarrie: it is so true that you never do know what is happening with the family. I'm so sorry about your dad.
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@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.
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Thanks everyone for the sweet wishes
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.
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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.
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@keepcalmcarrie: thinking of you.
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.
And I'm glad he's going to be okay!
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