Kids with portable DVD's at restaurants!!!

[lillygator]

However, it does not justify the disrectfullness to the waitstaff displayed by this family and flame me all you want...........it is the truth!!! Like it or not!!

Did they speak when spoken to? Pay their bill and tip? There are plenty of "quiet" people in this world who barely speak or interact with waitstaff that aren't playing games or watching DVD's are they disrespectful as well?

And as far as the crayons/DVD....they are essentially the same thing.....obviously restaurants know to provide a form of entertainment for children correct? So like it or not that's the truth....!

 

[JVL1018]

I don't think crayons are the same thing as portable electronic devices at all.
My kids use the crayons and enagge us in conversation, ask us to help color, show us what they've done, ask for help with the games taht most restaurants put on their kids place mats, play tic tac toe and hangman etc.
They're not just sitting there staring at a screen.

I have opinions about lots of things, and my opinion is that I think a DVD player at a restaurant is ridiculous. I won't go up and say something rude to the parents, so I don't see anything wrong with having that opinion. Doesn't hurt anyone to think that way.

I don't understand the argument being used that it's either a loud noisy kid or a quiet kid watching a DVD. It's not either/or.
You can do other things.

My children use a DVD player on long(like 4 plus hours) car trips, they use their Gameboys if they have to wait a long while for something(like when I need to bring them with me to a doctor's appt),they watch TV at home a lot.. but at the table for a family dinner, especially at a restaurant? Never. Why bother going out as a family if no one interacts with each other?

 

[Nana Annie]

 

[chobie]

I don't think crayons are the same thing as portable electronic devices at all.
My kids use the crayons and enagge us in conversation, ask us to help color, show us what they've done, ask for help with the games taht most restaurants put on their kids place mats, play tic tac toe and hangman etc.
They're not just sitting there staring at a screen.

I have opinions about lots of things, and my opinion is that I think a DVD player at a restaurant is ridiculous. I won't go up and say something rude to the parents, so I don't see anything wrong with having that opinion. Doesn't hurt anyone to think that way.

I don't understand the argument being used that it's either a loud noisy kid or a quiet kid watching a DVD. It's not either/or.
You can do other things.

My children use a DVD player on long(like 4 plus hours) car trips, they use their Gameboys if they have to wait a long while for something(like when I need to bring them with me to a doctor's appt),they watch TV at home a lot.. but at the table for a family dinner, especially at a restaurant? Never. Why bother going out as a family if no one interacts with each other?

There is nothing wrong with having the opinion that there is nothing wrong with DVD players at the table.

If you believe the only purpose for going out as a family is to interact with each other, than you should not bother to go out if you will not be interacting.

However, obviously not everyone feels that way. What most of us seem to be saying is that if other peoples' behavior is not invading your space, then why obsess about it?

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Why bother going out as a family if no one interacts with each other?
__________________

well the short version.......

pipe leading from house to septic tank broken
standing icky water in the basement
unable to run the dishwasher until fixed

My middle son is 12 years old and my oldest is 15years old. The only way you could get them to color on a kid's menu with a blue crayon would be if you bribed them, like with a new Nintendo game or something. And frankly after a day like that -- I very much prefer a quiet table thank you very much.

However, if we all take our Nintendo DS's in to somewhere where they have a Wi Fi connection, we can battle each other on Tetris. Does that count as "interacting?"

 

[LoraJ]

My DH remembers going out to dinner with his folks and dreading when they'd come around and ask for coffee orders. "Oh no, coffee!!!!" he remembers thinking. He knew the adults would sit around and talk and talk. He would have liked a DVD player back in the '60s!

I had the same fears too. lol!
My parents seemed to make a point of going to restaurants that had a Space Invaders or Asteroids machine so that we'd have something to do after ordering until the food came, and during coffee time. Gave my parents some alone time.

 

[JVL1018]

I don't think the argument here is that it is either a loud, noisy kid or a quiet kid watching a DVD. I think the heated reactions are towards the insinuations and outright statements that people who allow their children electronic devices are bad parents, are screwing up their children AND have children without any manners.

What works for you is great, what works for us is great. I am more than happy with my children's manners and path in life.

More than one post stated that they'd rather have a kid quietl;y watching a DVD than running around the restaurant.
I don't agree that people using DVD players are bad parents at all, I just think it's inappropriate in a restaurant setting. Butr again, I wouldn't do anything about it other than mention it to my husband or something, so it's not liek I would come up and bother a person.

 

[kdibattista]

Yes, contrary to what I say, there is no right or wrong here. Just different opinions!! Absolutely correct!!

But is this world coming to an era where electronics overtake us!! To substitiue electronics for human interaction seriously bothers me...........as you can all tell from all the flaming I am recieving from my 'judgemental' post!!!

My kids have eaten in front of the t.v..................many times!!! This thread has taken a turn!! I was talking about in a restaurant!!!

Honestly, I don't care how others raise their children, I don't care what they think about me raising mine. Maybe by placing this post, it is assumed I care or spend my life criticizing other families and parenting styles!!! Not the case!!

I am just surprised to have seen this so much in the past week, I asked if I was out of touch with reality!! I guess by all these negatives responses to my post, then this is more the norm then not!!! and I am out of touch with reality!!! Maybe I am old fashioned and not into the 'electronic' age where it takes over and consumes our daily living!! My girls have cells phones, iPods, gameboys, portable DVDs and all the gizmos and gadgets!!! I am not new to the use of all these gadgets.............just the place they are now being used in!!!

For those that think it is perfectly fine to use DVD's while dining in a restaurnet, then that is your opinion. As for the poster asking if my children use crayons supplied by the restaurnat.............YES they do!! Now I guess you can all say it is the same situationas the DVD thing.............I just don't think so. It is supplied by the establishment and my children are still able to hear when asked if they wanted anything and can stop what they are coloring on to acknowledge the staff. This just did not happen with the family of 4 children using DVD's!!!

Nevermind... don't want to get into a debate

 

[MosMom]

I'm surprised at the people who either think mealtime is dedicated communication time or we must communicate with our children constantly. We communicate all day long. Who cares at what moments of the day it is happening? Frankly, I'm sad I never thought of this idea before. My daughter communicates non-stop and it gets tiring. I love her dearly but holy cow...I can only talk about Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron so much before my ears bleed.

I could turn the movie on and communicate a little with my DH. Ahhhhhhhh.

 

[JVL1018]

There is nothing wrong with having the opinion that there is nothing wrong with DVD players at the table.

If you believe the only purpose for going out as a family is to interact with each other, than you should not bother to go out if you will not be interacting.

However, obviously not everyone feels that way. What most of us seem to be saying is that if other peoples' behavior is not invading your space, then why obsess about it?

I agree with both your first two statements and as for the last..having an opinion about something or a discussion about something doesn't mean someone obsesses about it.

 

[MosMom]

I had the same fears too. lol!
My parents seemed to make a point of going to restaurants that had a Space Invaders or Asteroids machine so that we'd have something to do after ordering until the food came, and during coffee time. Gave my parents some alone time.

Oh wow I remember that! Those cocktail table video games. I had completely forgotten about playing those at restaurants. Adds an interesting dimension to the debate.

 

[chobie]

I agree with both your first two statements and as for the last..having an opinion about something or a discussion about something doesn't mean someone obsesses about it.

I think the OP has reached an obsession point about "proving" she is right about how wrong it is to let kids have DVD players in restaurants. JMHO.

We probably all agree that kids and adults should have human interaction and should not 24/7 be plastered to an electronic device. Where we disagree is when and where we should put those electronic devices down. The OP is convinced she is right about where other people should limit electronic devices. Because she allows her kids to have them everywhere, BUT restuarants, everyone else should do the same.

It seems a bit hypocritical and judgmental for her to insist that everyone agree to what she deems is right in this regard.

Now if she had said that the DVD's were being played loudly and she could hear them, this thread would have taken a different direction.

 

[JVL1018]

well the short version.......

pipe leading from house to septic tank broken
standing icky water in the basement
unable to run the dishwasher until fixed

My middle son is 12 years old and my oldest is 15years old. The only way you could get them to color on a kid's menu with a blue crayon would be if you bribed them, like with a new Nintendo game or something. And frankly after a day like that -- I very much prefer a quiet table thank you very much.

However, if we all take our Nintendo DS's in to somewhere where they have a Wi Fi connection, we can battle each other on Tetris. Does that count as "interacting?"

In my opinion, it's inappropriate to use portable electronic devices at a meal, period.

Hey whatever floats your boat--I don't know why anyone would care if I walked into a restaurant and thought "Oh look at those kids, hmmm, I wouldn't let my two play a Gameboy in a restaurant." I mean what's the big deal about thinking that? If you're okay with it, than you're okay with it.

I'm sure I do many things that people would think, oh I would never let my kid do that..and I don't care nor do I feel the need to defend myself because I'm fine with the way I raise my kids.
I don't agree with anyone saying a parent who lets their kid watch a movie is a bad parent, but I think it's fine to think it's something that you would never allow your children to do.

 

[ZuZugal]

I have been out to dinner quite a few times in the last week. We were at the Hilton Teppan tables in DTD and saw a family with 4 children!!! All had portable DVD players with headsets and watching movies while the chef was cooking and while eating!! No communication at all!!

We also saw 2 children at breakfast doing the same thing!! no communication with the family or waitstaff!!

Last night, DH and I went to Legal Seafoods in Boston for a nice dinner!!! I couldn't believe it..............another family with 2 kids and portable DVD players!!!

I have 3 DD's and would NEVER allow it!! What is it coming too..........

Am I out of touch with reality????? (go ahead flame me!! LOL) I am just surprised to see so much of it lately!!! Anyone else???

Gee...if I was lucky enough to go out to dinner this much I don't think I'd be crabby about anything!! (Speaking from a mommy-point-of-view of course)

 

[sadeeyore]

No flaming from me either Rosemary..

I did see that on one of my trips this past year. We were at Tubbi's haveing some burgers and a family had a dvd player for their little boy. They also had a baby, a set of parents, and the grandparents.....they said it was the only way they could eat their meal if the little boy was occupied with the DVD player....so Dad and Mom ate, Grandma and Grandpa ate, the child watched the DVD player and did not eat.....maybe they fed him earlier or were going to feed him after they ate, but it bothered us enough that we left..

Hope you don't mind me commenting on your post , while I understand how this could look, I just wanted to show a different side.

My DS will be 10 when we get to WDW this year. He has autism and learning disability. He has very little speech and the understanding of a very much younger child. He has a rigid diet, not much more than croissants or Mcdonalds fries.
Unless we are at a character breakfast (that serves croissants) or Mcdonalds, he will have eaten before us. As a family we really can't live on character breakfasts and Mcdonalds . The only table service meals we do are character breakfasts. It wouldn't matter what food was offered, if it wasn't what he wanted he wouldn't eat. He won't have a dvd player with him as I don't want to carry it, but he will have his gameboy.
I really hadn't thought that us doing this would upset anyone .

If you see us in August, DS with gameboy, not eating, other DS15 (polite, well mannered teenager) DH and me, come over and say hi


Must admit so long as children aren't throwing food, or standing next to my table, I'm happy

 

[chobie]

In my opinion, it's inappropriate to use portable electronic devices at a meal, period.

Hey whatever floats your boat--I don't know why anyone would care if I walked into a restaurant and thought "Oh look at those kids, hmmm, I wouldn't let my two play a Gameboy in a restaurant." I mean what's the big deal about thinking that? If you're okay with it, than you're okay with it.

I'm sure I do many things that people would think, oh I would never let my kid do that..and I don't care nor do I feel the need to defend myself because I'm fine with the way I raise my kids.
I don't agree with anyone saying a parent who lets their kid watch a movie is a bad parent, but I think it's fine to think it's something that you would never allow your children to do.

There is nothing wrong with the way you are presenting your opinion. If you read all the OP's post, including the original, that was not how it was put. It was presented as this is wrong and it is rude and that is all there is to it. There is nothing wrong with expressing that opinion either, but then one can't get upset that people state equally strong opinions on the other side.

FTR. I don't let my kids do this so I'm not defending myself.

 

[JVL1018]

There is nothing wrong with the way you are presenting your opinion. If you read all the OP's post, including the original, that was not how it was put. It was presented as this is wrong and it is rude and that is all there is to it. There is nothing wrong with expressing that opinion either, but then one can't get upset that people state equally strong opinions on the other side.

FTR. I don't let my kids do this so I'm not defending myself.

Okay, looking at past posts, I do get your point, and we are in agreement.

 

[rbuzzotta]

I think the OP has reached an obsession point about "proving" she is right about how wrong it is to let kids have DVD players in restaurants. JMHO.

We probably all agree that kids and adults should have human interaction and should not 24/7 be plastered to an electronic device. Where we disagree is when and where we should put those electronic devices down. The OP is convinced she is right about where other people should limit electronic devices. Because she allows her kids to have them everywhere, BUT restuarants, everyone else should do the same.

It seems a bit hypocritical and judgmental for her to insist that everyone agree to what she deems is right in this regard.

Now if she had said that the DVD's were being played loudly and she could hear them, this thread would have taken a different direction.

I am glad you think I have an 'obsession point' about proving that I am correct.

I have NEVER insisted that everyone agree to what I deem correct.

I am glad you can speak about how I 'allow' my children to use electronic devices everywhere!!! I am happy to hear you know me and my family so well.

I have NEVER stated it was bad parenting to allow children to use portable DVD players while at dinner. I asked, what is this coming too.

Obviously, we have different views on life!! I am not a crabby mom who has had the luxury of many dinners out lately as was previously posted. I will not go on to defend myself as to what type of person I am.

I will say though..............I am soooooooo DONE with this thread!! It can remain open and everyone can continue to bash me and my beliefs!! Have fun at my expense!! LOL!! You can say what you want...........bash me, my kids, my DH............he is totally getting a kick out of this thread!! Enjoy and have a magical day...............I know I will!!

 

[chobie]

I am glad you think I have an 'obsession point' about proving that I am correct.

I have NEVER insisted that everyone agree to what I deem correct.

I am glad you can speak about how I 'allow' my children to use electronic devices everywhere!!! I am happy to hear you know me and my family so well.

I have NEVER stated it was bad parenting to allow children to use portable DVD players while at dinner. I asked, what is this coming too.

Obviously, we have different views on life!! I am not a crabby mom who has had the luxury of many dinners out lately as was previously posted. I will not go on to defend myself as to what type of person I am.

I will say though..............I am soooooooo DONE with this thread!! It can remain open and everyone can continue to bash me and my beliefs!! Have fun at my expense!! LOL!! You can say what you want...........bash me, my kids, my DH............he is totally getting a kick out of this thread!! Enjoy and have a magical day...............I know I will!!

Nice YAGE.

 

[goofy!]

never mind - not worth the argument