Kids with portable DVD's at restaurants!!!

[Marseeya]

I think it's just sad. I'm sorry, but plopping a kid down in front of a DVD player or game console is the lazy way of dealing with them. How is a child going to learn how to behave in public if they're being taught that they have to be constantly entertained? I feel the same way about the DVD players in cars for all but longer trips.

It's no wonder kids these days have no tolerance for boredom.

 

[bicker]

Of course, that age, and that specific place, is not the right context to start teaching proper behavior or tolerance for bordom. It isn't even "as good a place to start as any" but rather a much worse place to start than any, because if the teaching isn't instantaneously and comprehensively effective, many other (innocent) people are disturbed.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think it's just sad. I'm sorry, but plopping a kid down in front of a DVD player or game console is the lazy way of dealing with them. How is a child going to learn how to behave in public if they're being taught that they have to be constantly entertained? I feel the same way about the DVD players in cars for all but longer trips.

It's no wonder kids these days have no tolerance for boredom.

This is exactly how I feel. This would NOT have flown when I was a kid.

Hee hee, my parents and grandparents loved traveling with me. Soon as we hit the road, I was snoring. Sadly, that's still what I do and it's makes for lonesome traveling for my husband. LOL!!!

 

[Marseeya]

Of course, that age, and that specific place, is not the right context to start teaching proper behavior or tolerance for bordom. It isn't even "as good a place to start as any" but rather a much worse place to start than any, because if the teaching isn't instantaneously and comprehensively effective, many other (innocent) people are disturbed.

Oh, I agree, but there's always a very good solution to that kind of disruption. You take the kid away!

Both of my kids went through a (thankfully) brief phase where they were ornery in restaurants. We handled it by avoiding eating out, or if we really wanted to go and the kid started acting up, one of us sat out with the kid in the car or waiting area while the other one got to eat. We took turns that way and it worked out pretty well. Was it convenient? No, but it was better than bothering other guests.

 

[Mermaid02]

My son has ADHD and might play his GameBoy for a few minutes.... then he's onto something else.... then back to the GameBoy..... then something else... etcetera, etcetera. We did get him a portable DVD player, but he's yet to ask to take it to a restaurant... but if he wants to, I'll let him. The child really doesn't sit still to watch tv very often at home, if it's going to let him sit there at a restaurant while everyone enjoys their meal, YEA!

Walk a mile in someone's shoes people!

 

[bicker]

one of us sat out with the kid in the car or waiting area while the other one got to eat

More power to you!

You do realize that you're a paragon of consideration, though...

 

[Marseeya]

My son has ADHD and might play his GameBoy for a few minutes.... then he's onto something else.... then back to the GameBoy..... then something else... etcetera, etcetera. We did get him a portable DVD player, but he's yet to ask to take it to a restaurant... but if he wants to, I'll let him. The child really doesn't sit still to watch tv very often at home, if it's going to let him sit there at a restaurant while everyone enjoys their meal, YEA!

Walk a mile in someone's shoes people!

Sister, I've walked 15 miles in those shoes!

 

[Mermaid02]

Sister, I've walked 15 miles in those shoes!

Come spend a week parenting this wild wolverine we call our son and I'll believe you!

 

[JerseyJanice]

I don't think it's a big deal if someone's kid wants to watch a DVD or play with a Gameboy or PSP at a restaurant. As many have been said, it's a far better alternative to being around disruptive children.

And I wouldn't automatically assume that there is a lack of communication within the family that allows it. That's a big leap to make. You have no idea how much time they spend with each other or how often they talk.

 

[Marseeya]

Come spend a week parenting this wild wolverine we call our son and I'll believe you!

Only if you'll take him in trade for an angry, resentful, rebellious teen.

I miss the days of non-stop chatter, bouncing off the walls, and general mischief and mayhem.

 

[Mermaid02]

Only if you'll take him in trade for an angry, resentful, rebellious teen.

I miss the days of non-stop chatter, bouncing off the walls, and general mischief and mayhem.

I have one of those too. It's the best of both worlds.

 

[Marseeya]

I have one of those too. It's the best of both worlds.

I give! You win!

My youngest is an absolute delight -- she's what keeps us sane and hopeful. I truly don't know what I'd do without her.

 

[froglady]

The OP was talking about a restaurant at DTD. I would assume that the family in question has been together 24/7 for who knows how long. I would be more concerned about lack of communication and interaction if I saw a child watching a DVD in a local restaurant. (we don't live in a touristy area)

Perhaps they had all had enough "interaction" for a while.

My family was poor, so we never went on vacation or out to restaurants, but DH talks about his awful drives from Philadelphia to Sea Island every year with 5 children in the car. His parents would have killed for a DVD player!

 

[Mermaid02]

I give! You win!

My youngest is an absolute delight -- she's what keeps us sane and hopeful. I truly don't know what I'd do without her.

She's 10? Enjoy her while you still can.... Ain't parenting grand???

 

[Evil Queen]

Maybe those kids were finding that DVD players, headphones, Gameboys are more interesting then their parents? Maybe it's the parents who need to find some common ground with their kids.

Even if we don't have much to talk about when out to eat, we'll find something to do together. I've even played "Table soccer" with my kid because it makes him smile, we aren't loud or distrubtive. It's not because I want to, but it interest my son at the time and keeps him occupied until the food arrives. Sure, we get looks from other tables, but it's none of their business.

I agree with communication and yes we do this at dinner.

 

[Kristi1357]

I've seen this only once, and it was at an Applebee's at home! I really thought it was sad. The boy was watching some animated movie while his mom ate in silence (just the 2 of them at the table).

We do have a VHS player in our van - but it is used only for trips over an hour long. And many times, it is to play a sing-a-long tape - to which we all sing along with horribly!

 

[bicker]

Maybe it's the parents who need to find some common ground with their kids.

I'm pretty sure that is what was meant, earlier. Clearly the children aren't to blame for how they were brought-up.

 

[MAKmom]

The OP was talking about a restaurant at DTD. I would assume that the family in question has been together 24/7 for who knows how long. I would be more concerned about lack of communication and interaction if I saw a child watching a DVD in a local restaurant. (we don't live in a touristy area)

Perhaps they had all had enough "interaction" for a while.

My family was poor, so we never went on vacation or out to restaurants, but DH talks about his awful drives from Philadelphia to Sea Island every year with 5 children in the car. His parents would have killed for a DVD player!

Froglady was your husband going to Sea Isle in NJ near Ocean City & Avalon?

I agree vacation is NOT the real world.

 

[MAKmom]

This is almost as bad as the Sci-Fi in MGM. All those families staring at the Screen & not talking. I saw the same behavior at the Hoop-Dee-Doo & Polynesian Dinner Show.

Just Kidding.... they were having a dinner show.

Were they watching a Disney Movie?

 

[mrsltg]

The problem I have is so many people seem to be mentioning electronic entertainment as the only alternative to a snotty beast. It's not. Really. You CAN actually parent your children in such a way that they behave when they are in public. You actually CAN control how they act. You CAN teach them from infancy on what is and is not tolerated in which settings. God help my daughter if she were to throw a tantrum in public. She's 5 and she's capable of sitting through a meal and speaking to people, including the server, who deserves at least a "hello" from another human being.

We, as a society, are raising a class of what my mother terms, "videots". People who cannot sit still without electronics available to them. Please, don't give me the "well, it's their vacation, too," baloney. Your kids can't bear to talk to you while they're on vacation? Do you not see something wrong with this? I understand some children have attention problems. Do you really believe television is the answer? Society as a whole is in for a BIG problem. We are raising people incapable of human interaction. Should be interesing.