A mother has sparked debate after admitting she feels 'really smug' about her toddler’s restaurant behaviour compared to other children who use iPads or phones during meals. In a Reddit confession, the woman said she tries not to judge other parents, but struggles to hold back when it comes to dining etiquette.
She wrote: 'Whenever I see a kid using an iPad in a restaurant, my gut reaction is judgment and feeling so smug that my much younger child can sit through a meal without needing constant stimulation.' The mother explained that her three-year-old now sits quietly and talks at the table, having previously used small toys or colouring books.
She added: 'The food and the company IS the entertainment. I’d never say it out loud to anyone, and I have friends who do the iPad that think they have valid justifications, but… restaurant etiquette and behaving in public is a learned skill, and they’re just choosing to opt out of it, and it’s really, really lazy.'
Other Reddit users shared their own experiences. One described seeing a 10-year-old on a tablet throughout an expensive Disney breakfast, with no social interaction except for character photos. Another parent agreed, saying her children have never used devices in restaurants or waiting rooms, and that teaching patience is a parent’s responsibility.
However, some defended the use of screens, pointing out that children with disabilities may need them to cope. One mother of a disabled child thanked a commenter for understanding, explaining that her son spends hours in therapy and still struggles in public due to sensory overload. She said: 'The world becomes small and isolating, especially when you can’t leave your house. And then when you do try to enjoy an outing with your family, people glare and heavily suggest you shouldn’t be out in public with your child.'
