Kids with portable DVD's at restaurants!!!

[Planogirl]

I don't let what others do during their meals bother me. As long as they're quiet and don't throw food at me, I don't really pay attention.

However, we won't be allowing this and it's thankfully never come up. I like to chat in restaurants myself.

 

[TDC Nala]

I couldn't care less if someone's going to do this...but they really need to have headphones if they're going to watch in public places.

 

[jodifla]

I don't have a problem with trying to keep kids occupied during adult meals. How is it much different from the ubiquitious crayons every restaurant has? We brought a portable DVD at restaurants when DS was younger, like 2 and 3. Now that he's a little older, he can sit for restaurant meals, so we don't bring it.

 

[Blondy876]

My opinion of what other's do with their kids in restaurants doesn't matter at all as long as they aren't disturbing me.

But I bet that some of those condemning parents that do allow this, would also be the first to flip out if someones child disturbed them.

 

[LoraJ]

I've seen this a couple of times. The kids were toddlers. I actually thought it was a great idea because otherwise they may have been screaming and crying and running around. It appeared as though the parents had a chance to relax and talk about their day.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I like you Dan Murphy, I really do But DVD players in the car make our 24 hour drive to WDW bearable We only use them on long trips.

DVD players in restaurants, now thats another matter. I think that's pretty weird.

ITA. We bought a van with the Entertainment System a year ago. We didn't get one that can get TV. They can watch movies on long trips, but not everyday back and forth stuff. We don't even keep movies in the van, so only think to pack them if it's going to be a long drive. We have the wireless headsets, and it's wonderful.

DVD players in restaurants is also not an option here. My kids have never asked for portable ones either.

 

[Charade]

Remember, it takes a village....

You should have gone over there, grabbed the DVD players and smashed them to the ground while giving the "parents" a stern lecturing on decent parenting.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

My opinion of what other's do with their kids in restaurants doesn't matter at all as long as they aren't disturbing me.

But I bet that some of those condemning parents that do allow this, would also be the first to flip out if someones child disturbed them.

I was thinking the same thing! I don't really pay that much attention to other families while I'm dining, unless someone's kids are being obnoxious. Personally I wouldn't allow a portable DVD player at a dinner table, and the same goes for PSP's and Gameboys because IMO they're all in the same category. We do have a DVD player that we've used on really long car trips, and it was made the road trip with three kids much more relaxing!

But really, for those that do let their kids watch DVD's at the table, maybe it's a last resort to keep them under control. Perhaps it's not the best way to go about it, but they'd be judged just as harshly if their kids were being obnoxious. I suppose some parents just can't win regardless of what they do! Frankly, families all tune out from each other at some point, whether it's dining out, riding in a car listening to the radio, being glued to our iPods, sitting at home watching tv, playing video games, or sitting in front of a computer posting messages on the DIS for hours on end. We're all guilty at some point people!

 

[tmt martins]

I've used one myself every once in awhile .If it's not bothering you why whould you care.
I don't like when people are screeming at their kids or each other across the table.

It's a public place so you are going to just have all sorts and if you don't care for that type of thing stay home where all your rules are yours.

Cellphone at least thats just a one way conversation.

Most places are putting in TV's and music pumped in anyhow.

We all can't be Mary Poppins (PPiEW) out there it's a tough world.

 

[Madi100]

I personally wouldn't do this. We have a portable DVD player, and we rarely use it. Maybe the people who were using them were the same people who read on these boards about parents being flamed because their children were noisy in a sit-down restaurant. And, I love to take vacation with my family. But, most people vacationing don't usually spend 24/7 normally. And, if the parents need the nice sit down meal to regain some sanity, maybe the kids need some TV, quiet time to regain theirs.

 

[sajetto]

I really could care a less what others do while they are dining as long as they are not being really loud or obnoxious.

I wouldn't do it, but I don't have a problem with anyone who does as long as headphones are in use. The way other people raise their kids is none of my buisness and it may be the only way to get their kids to sit still and be quiet. Better that than them screaming or throwing a tantrum.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

All I can say is Thank God for DVD players for long trips in the car. Recently our 14 hour drive to Florida was wonderful due to having one. In fact, one set of our headphones broke two days before we were due to make the trip home, so I got on the phone with the dealership and had them fed ex me a new set b/c the car ride home with one set of headphones and two kids just wasn't going to work. Usually I don't let them watch a movie unless we're going on a long trip, but occasionally I might. Frankly, I've learned to pick my battles and if that's the worse thing I have to worry about, then so be it. My kids, especially my DS-9, do bring their PSP or game boy's to restaraunts sometimes. Really, I don't understand why this would bother people. My DD brings a book and reads while we're waiting for our food sometimes as well. Is this considered wrong too? As long as the kids are being quiet and not bothering others who are out trying to enjoy a meal, who cares? Doesn't bother me a bit.

 

[CookieGVB]

Next they'll be bringing back their 2000 commemorative refillable mugs!!!

A DVD player would bother me less than the screaming and whining (and that's just from the parents that are usually seated near us!).

Not for my kids, though - my son keeps insisting that he's bringing a Gameboy to the table - he's 12, so you'd think by now he'd realize I've been telling him to put it away for YEARS...he keeps trying, thinking maybe THIS time I won't be paying attention.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

This is really sad in my opinion. Isn't the whole point of going out to dinner with your family other than obviously eating, is to talk? Communicate about the day? I think that parents that support this behavior are just trying to "shut their kids up", so they don't have to actually deal with them.

Well, we DO communicate with our kids.... constantly. So I think your statement is just wrong. I pick my kids up from school and we communicate then. DH gets home at five usually, and he communicates with them then. We communicate with our kids all the time, it's just not always while we're having dinner out. It's extremely upsetting to me that there are such judgemental people out there who think they've got everyone figured out just by watching them dine out one night! And I don't know about anyone else, but I do know that I don't let my kids bring their games into a restaraunt just to "shut them up"! Geesh!

 

[kimmikayb]

I always think how sad the families look as they drive along in silence, kids in the back, glued to the dropdown DVD, mom or/and dad in the front, on their cell phones, everybody in their private world, zero communication.

Oh you are so sadly mistaken. That look on our faces you have mistaken for sadness? It is pure bliss in our mini van. The portable DVD has given us the freedom to travel!

On that note, I can say my children will never have any personal electronic during a meal...in a restaurant or home. Dinner time is a chance for us all to regroup. OP, you aren't going to get a flame from me!!

 

[Snow Brite]

I always think how sad the families look as they drive along in silence, kids in the back, glued to the dropdown DVD, mom or/and dad in the front, on their cell phones, everybody in their private world, zero communication.

I agree. We have a radio in our van. No cd player, no dvd player, nothing. On a long trip (all day drive) I will get out the portable dvd player, but it is a big treat.

We DO talk, sing along to the radio or our own songs, and play I Spy. I LOVE our time in the van and we have some great talks. I cannot imagine letting my kids bring a book or ipod music kinda thing to a restaurant, let alone a dvd player. How very sad.

 

[MosMom]

I say go for it. The less screaming I have to hear from those little brats the better! If all goes well, by 2050 we'll all just have TV's for heads and won't even have to speak to each other.

 

[azgal81]

What others do at restaurants I don't really notice. Is it a little weird yes but in this technology obsessed world what else is to be expected.

I am guilty of eating dinner in front of the TV but I would never bring my dvd player to a restaurant that seems a little odd to me.

 

[bicker]

That is just absolutely wrong on so many levels. It's no wonder so many kids a screwed up.

I doubt the DVD players have much to do with the children being "screwed up."

Given that the children were already "screwed up," the DVD players sound like a fine way of keeping the meal civil and not disturbing other patrons. Live and let live.

 

[gina2000]

Is this any worse than parents reading the newspaper while out to breakfast with a child? As I recall, someone mentioned letting the little darlings not be the center of attention for a meal wasn't the end of the world.

I don't care what you do with your kids during a meal as long as they aren't crawling under my table, running around or throwing food at me.