Would it be unforgivably tacky if...?

[racefanof88]

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.

In most states it is illegal to leave a child under the age of 10 alone and under the age of 12 if attending other children. How important is one dinner that you have to leave your child/children alone?

We had a case a year ago where a 9 yo set a motel room on fire and killed himself and 2 siblings, his mother had left them to go to work.

I don't believe a child of 11 should be left alone in a hotel room. God forbid something happen, and things do happen.

 

[Princess Polamalu]

I TA with not leaving a child alone for one night out. Its just not worth it. I think I would spend more time worrying to actually have an enjoyable experience.

 

[Tara922c]

It wouldn't bother me any. As long as I can't hear the music, I couldn't care less if someone elses child plays their ds at the table.

 

[tinkandpan]

My oldest is 8 and youngest is 4 and at Disney, we bring itouch or ds games with us. My kids are usually already off schedules or tired from a long day and to sit through a long meal, I don't expect them to act the way I do at home. Esp since my littlest one doesn't really eat so she literally is sitting there the entire time. We talk and chat as a family, but if we want to linger- i take out the games. I've never noticed any nasty looks - or i don't care. It works for us, for our family and while i encourage the kids to talk to us etc... it's a disney vacation and all bets are off.

 

[DW2010]

I see both view points. At 11, I would expect a child to be able to sit through dinner like pp have stated. What did children do before game boys/DS's, etc? You didn't exactly ask if it was right or wrong, though.

I say that since you're at Disney enjoying your vacation, it's not a huge deal. I have brought my 3 year old's Leapster a couple of times, but she doesn't play it. She'd much rather be in the conversation and restaurants are just too busy and entertaining for her to play some boring game system . She also doesn't really care to color in restaurants either. At her age, 2+hours would definitely be too long of a meal, so we just wouldn't go to one.

 

[Tricia1972]

Just a gentle reminder, as a few posts had to be removed this morning. Posting attacks on a person's parenting or posting attacks on someone who doesn't agree with your point of view isn't permitted on the DIS.

Unfortunately, if attacks continue, the moderators will have to go through and issue warnings/infractions as needed and also possibly close the thread.

DISboards.com Guidelines

 

[RivieraMaya05]

I see nothing at all wrong with it. What is tacky is taking a child to a nice restaurant and having them throw a fit and the parents not do anything about it. You're being proactive. I do agree that, it's Disney people! Give the OP a break.

 

[Gigi22]

I would prefer to see a child provided with appropriate quiet entertainment, if necessary, to enable the parents and older siblings time to enjoy the meal! I think it is terrific to be able to have a lovely family meal at Disney, and if a DS with earplugs will help out--then go for it! The OP is trying to be considerate of other diners, and I say kudos to her!

 

[wheniwasyoung]

My oldest is 8 and youngest is 4 and at Disney, we bring itouch or ds games with us. My kids are usually already off schedules or tired from a long day and to sit through a long meal, I don't expect them to act the way I do at home. Esp since my littlest one doesn't really eat so she literally is sitting there the entire time. We talk and chat as a family, but if we want to linger- i take out the games. I've never noticed any nasty looks - or i don't care. It works for us, for our family and while i encourage the kids to talk to us etc... it's a disney vacation and all bets are off.

Nicely put!
I'm afraid if you are at most any Disney restaurant, there will be kids. If there are kids, then there will be parents that will try to enjoy their trip while making it enjoyable for their children. I would rather have a quiet, content kid who is also enjoying his evening then no kids or out of control kids (who I'm sure all of us have stories of).

Believe me, I would love to go somewhere/anywhere where there are not any of these things but it’s just not going to happen.

The worst experience I ever had at ANY Disney restaurant was @ Cal. Grill. I sat for 20 minutes listening to some old hag complain, first to the waiter, then to the manager, about having to pay $6 for her tea that she had at the end of her meal. This was after her husband just ordered a $34 4oz. glass of cognac. The manager refunded the price of the tea and the poor waitress received no tip. It was so sad that it ruined my meal if not my night. Now that is an experience that was truly “UNCOOTH AND DISRESPECTFUL.”

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

I would definatley let him use it since you have ear buds ( or it is silenced).

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

When we are dinning I am not looking around to see what other families are doing I am enjoying the company at my table. So why should the quiet activity of a child playing a game at his table be disruptive to me?? I don't get it.

What difference does it make? Parents give a baby toys to entertain them with at the dinner table, a small child is given crayons by the host who seats you. Why can't an older kid be able to take a video game that makes no noise. Some say the glow would bother them. The amount of light the game would give off is not much more than having a lit candle on your table.

I say take the game and enjoy your dinner as a family.

 

[wheniwasyoung]

happy anniversary!!!

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

...we let our DS take his Nintendo DS to California Grill? I'm thinking about trying to get an ADR to celebrate mine & DH's 21st anniversay, but DS will be with us and I know he will get bored if we sit there for 2+ hours. Of course, he would have his ear buds so there wouldn't be any noise to disturd the other diners and he is a very quite kid.

We have never been to Cali Grill and I think the view would a special way to celebrate our anniversary, but getting dirty looks from other diners all evening would probably not be very relaxing.

Wouldn't bother me at all. I used to read books at dinner all the time when I was little. My parents would yell at me though. I just couldn't put them down!

 

[webray]

Definately not tacky, and thank you!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Just a gentle reminder, as a few posts had to be removed this morning. Posting attacks on a person's parenting or posting attacks on someone who doesn't agree with your point of view isn't permitted on the DIS.

Unfortunately, if attacks continue, the moderators will have to go through and issue warnings/infractions as needed and also possibly close the thread.

DISboards.com Guidelines

me me me the thread is all about me!

Take that glitterkitty!

I feel better now

 

[Tricia1972]

me me me the thread is all about me!

Take that glitterkitty!

I feel better now

Ah Yes, I forgot to add that really it's all about Pumbaa_



(mutter, mutter, grumble, grumble, just because she is so much nicer than me )

 

[glitterkittyy]

me me me the thread is all about me!

Take that glitterkitty!

I feel better now

Blasphemy!!!!

 

[Pumbaa_]

i sleep more than glitterkitty, i may have to let her have this one

 

[Wendy5055]

I don't feel it is tacky for a child to use a DS before or after a meal (no more than crayons and paper). I do on occasion allow my dd8 to use hers for those times...especially when I know it will be a longer than crayons will be amusing dinner...but only before/after NOT during a meal.

I did find that she enjoyed dinner conversations at WDW and like adding in her opinions to the conversation.

I can see as she gets a couple of years older that I would expect less amusements to be needed and more participation in dinner conversation.

I do not feel the "glow" from a DS would be disruptive to anyones dinner (cali grill or otherwise). I also require that the sound be off or earbuds in use if her DS is being used in a public place...I don't even like the sound audible in the car. She is also NOT allowed to use her DS while walking.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I do think it's kind of tacky, but I would prefer that to a bored child being loud and disruptive.