Would it be unforgivably tacky if...?

[vicb]

Personally I look at that in the same terms of cell phone usage at tables or in theatres.

UNCOOTH AND DISRESPECTFUL.

Sorry. I vote no.

Although I would rather the Nintendo compared to a child behaving poorly in a restaurant, don't you think 11 (a PP stated the OP's child is this age) is a little old to keep your child 'occupied' while you dine? Perhaps he isn't ready for this kind of meal yet

I think that while these comments represent people's opinions.... I think they are a bit harsh.

My DS has done this before especially at that age. He is now 14.5 and doesn't want to bring his nintendo into restaurants but at the age of 10-12 he did. Our rule was no nintendo until after the meal, that is when things drag for kids. Is a nintendo really that different from crayons and coloring??? Both are just age appropriate distrations.

Maybe if he gets antsy during the wait between appetizers and meal you could walk out on the deck as others suggested.

As for the kids clubs... if he is an only child he might not want to go to the club alone. My kids did the kids clubs a couple of trips and the last time we had them in the club at BC DD was 12, she felt awkward being the oldest kid there. That night there were a lot of little kids and she was bored. So while the clubs are great for some, maybe the OP doesn't think it would work for her DS.

 

[gogo]

I would not hesitate to bring your son's nintendo to dinner. As others suggested it is nice to enjoy dinner as a family and talk about the day's events, etc. but an eleven year old is not an adult and some may not really enjoy sitting for 2 hours or more. Why not compromise and bring the nintendo but only use it if the dinner is really long.

In my experience, we have always taken our son to nice dinners since he was very young (he is an only child) and I would not always be comfortable leaving him with sitters or play centers at Disney. So, I would say go and have a great time. And, even if you son plays his nintendo, you are all together

 

[tink713]

I see no problem with it at all. It will keep him busy and quiet. I dont see why anyone else should have a problem with it either.

 

[3floridarays]

I appreciate everyone's comments - both for and against. I anticipated when I posted that there would be a mixture of opinions, but I truly wanted to get a broad range of thoughts.

To give additional perspective, and I truly don't mean for this to sound like I'm bragging or anything, it's just some insight into his personality: DS has been dining out with us 2 to 3 times a week since he was 6 wks old. We never tolerated disruptive behavior at the table. Period. He was never a "crayon and drawing" type of kid. He prefered to be in on the conversation at the table. He is actually more comfortable talking with adults that other kids (maybe a side-effect of being an only child). He patiently and quietly sits through dinner theaters, classic musicals, etc. Actually, he enjoys them and has started requesting that we go to certain ones. He even got onto a kid sitting behind us at "Fiddler on the Roof" a couple of months ago because the kid wouldn't stop talking. I really had to fight to keep from cracking up - he was just so serious about it!

We have occasionally taken his Nintendo with us when we knew a dinner would run really long. He has used it a couple of times after dinner while we lingered over our wine, dessert, coffee, etc. The vast majority of the times he hasn't and prefered to stay in the conversation with us.

The only reason I thought it might be a good option for Cali Grill is that it will be a very long dinner, since I know we will want to stretch the meal out, and i just thought it might be a good option to give him something to do if DH and I linger over a bottle of wine (which I can pretty much guarantee). It's not out of fear that he would disturb other diners by running around, not sitting still, etc. if he wasn't being otherwise entertained. Even if he didn't have a Nintendo with him that is something that would NOT be happening.

As I said, I do appreciate everyone's thoughts.

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

DD (at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years old) has taken her DS with her every time we have eaten at the CG. No one has ever noticed before.

The last three times we have eaten there she has taken her DSi, which takes pictures, and she has some great pictures of the sunsets that we have viewed, together, as a family. I say go for it!

 

[wdwbride2005]

If it keeps him quiet then I have no problem with it-like you said he'll have the ear buds so it shouldn't bother anyone and will keep him happy longer.

 

[Art 1]

It's something that we would not do.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

It's not allowed in our family - no electronics at the dinner table no matter how long the meal is (applies to DH and his Blackberry too ). But it would not bother me in the least if you chose to do that for your family - I wouldn't mind a bit and likely wouldn't even notice (but I'm sure I'd hear from my kids "But how come HE gets to play HIS DS? )!

Enjoy your dinner and your trip!

 

[handinpocket]

CG is a noisy venue. I suspect no one will even notice your son's Nintendo and any small noise that might come out of the earbuds.

For real. This is such a non issue and if anyone is actually offended over a DS, then they are just LOOKING for a reason to be offended.

 

[Princess Polamalu]

I have a 7 year old and have considered eating at Cali Grill this May. I didnt even think to bring his DS. So thanks for the idea! So obviously my answer is that I have no problem with it whatsoever. I am a single mom and as a result maybe a little overprotective. That being said I would NEVER leave him in one of the kids centers. If I wanted him to be with a sitter I would stay home. Why should a child have to spend an evening with a babysitter on vacation? Not right IMO. My son will probably be ok for the first hour or so and then he would get a bit antsy. So if a DS keeps him quiet Im all for it.

 

[ShannonMB]

We wouldn't do it, especially on a vacation at Disney. We use meal times to talk about what we've been doing that day and all the excitement yet to come. DD is involved in every bit of those conversations.

Now, if I wanted to linger romantically over a bottle of anniversary wine with DH at a signature restaurant, well, I just don't think the mood would be enhanced by our kid sitting there playing her DS. I think I'd either do the kids' club thing (I think OPs son is old enough to be perfectly safe in that environment) or save the romantic dinner for when we were back home and could get a sitter. Just not my idea of romance.

All that said, if I saw a kid at another table with his DS, I wouldn't bat an eye. JMHO!

 

[3floridarays]

I think I'd either do the kids' club thing (I think OPs son is old enough to be perfectly safe in that environment) or save the romantic dinner for when we were back home and could get a sitter. Just not my idea of romance.

Trust me, when you've been married for 21 years and just moved to a city where you have no relatives, no friends and no babysitters, you'll take romance anywhere you can find it!

 

[ShannonMB]

I think I'd either do the kids' club thing (I think OPs son is old enough to be perfectly safe in that environment) or save the romantic dinner for when we were back home and could get a sitter. Just not my idea of romance.

Trust me, when you've been married for 21 years and just moved to a city where you have no relatives, no friends and no babysitters, you'll take romance anywhere you can find it!

Okay, now I'm going to INSIST that you do the kid's club thingy. Come on, you two deserve some alone time!!!!!!! (And I'm one who always says I'd never vacation without DD, etc, but seriously! A nice dinner and a bottle of wine while the kid has a blast. Win-win.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

At 11, he doesn't even necessarily need a kids club. Order the kid some room service, pop in some movies and have a great night.

 

[racefanof88]

I have an 11 yo DS and he is pretty good at sitting through meals and conversing with DH and myself, but I see NOTHING at all wrong with taking a DS for your son to play with. Why anyone would have a problem with it is beyond me . I would much rather have a child playing his DS than being disruptive. I have been to some really nice restaurants and my table neighbor had a crying child and they were just ignoring the child. THAT is disruptive even at a McDonald's. Leaving the restaurant with a child that is creating a problem isn't teaching the child anything, that is parent training NOT child training. I don't find it disruptive for others to be talking on a cell phone either. What is the difference between talking to someone on the phone or talking to someone at your table. If their table mates don't mind then why should I?

 

[3floridarays]

At 11, he doesn't even necessarily need a kids club. Order the kid some room service, pop in some movies and have a great night.

I just almost spit water all over my keyboard!

And I might actually have to take your suggestion!

 

[JUJU814]

To whom is it disrespectful?

I think it's fine for a small child if it allows everyone to enjoy their meals (other diners included).

11 is far from a small child. There's no reason a child that age can't sit through a nice meal without being entertained.

Wouldn't bother me as another patron but you asked for opinions if it was tacky and my opinion is that it would be extremely tacky, especially for a kid that old.

 

[humboldthny]

Personally, I would not...like another pp said - no electronics at the dinner table...I actually find it disrespectful to other diners nearby (we do notice that kid slumped halfway out of their seat, face lit by the LED glow....).

Frankly, your son sounds more than capable of handling a nice dinner...Why not take advantage of the work you've put into parenting him and enjoy some conversation and the view?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I just almost spit water all over my keyboard!

And I might actually have to take your suggestion!

My parents left us in the Poly room one night and went out for dinner. We were 9, 6 and 3, ordered up food and had a fun night.

 

[cbg1027]

If you as the parents are OK with it, then I say bring that Nintendo!

I would not mind if I saw a kid at a Disney signature restaurant quietly playing on a GameBoy. In fact, I would prefer it, if it keeps them occupied, quiet, and not cranky!

This is Disney - kids are the rule, not the exception. If that type of restaurant was off property and not Disney-owned, then I would think it's uncouth, yes, but like I said - it's DISNEY!