DVD player at a restaurant for your 2 yr old rude?

I don't know if it's rude, but I think it's kind of sad and lazy on the parent's part...if you want an honest opinion. If you cannot get through a meal with your children without some form of entertainment, then there is a serious discipline problem..............and you probably should not be dining with them in public until they learn how to behave at a restaurant.
If their behavior is so out of control they need a movie to distract them enough to settle down then they are most likely disturbing other diners as you settle in and start the movie. I think that meals should be a time of family togetherness, not a table full of people watching movies or talking on the phone or texting. Maybe I'm just old fashioned.
My son has a portable DVD player, but we only bring it along on very long car trips(such as to LA) or airplane rides, and it's not to keep him from misbehaving, it's just to pass the time. Other than that, we just interact with him and use the time to talk about a wide variety of things.

Good question! I've actually not seen anyone using a DVD player in a restaurant. I can see why it would be tempting, but I think I would have to agree with the first post. I do think it's important for your kids to have something to do (color, look at books, etc.) while you wait for your food, but I don't think playing a movie at the table is a trend I would like to see.

Hobbymommy, 38, is a discussion leader from Mesa. She is a happy stay-at-home mommy to a 3-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son.

I completely agree that if you have to have a DVD player or any other form of entertainment to keep your children occupied while out to dinner then they shouldn't be with you and there's definitley a discipline problem. Not to mention it makes me question the interactiveness of the parents with the children if the parent wants to use a DVD player or anything else to entertain rather than interacting with their children themselves to talk either about their day or just (inappropriate term) chat in general. My daughter and I go out to eat a lot together just the 2 of us and I would never think of bringing along a DVD player. This is our time to talk and most times I'm helping her color or do the activities on the childrens menu. I actually think it's a ludicrious idea!!

I'm not sure why the blocked out my word and said it's an inappropriate term, all I was saying was C-H-I-T chat ... maybe it's too close to the S word so they picked it up .. huh!!

Just say no to the DVD player, the Game Boy and the iPod at restaurants. Meals are meant to be shared with your family. Even a two-year can engage in conversation over a meal or at least listen to what everyone else is talking about. That's how kids learn to behave in a restaurant.

I don't think this is a question of whether the parents want to interact with their child. I'm assuming it's a question of how to get a young child through a meal at a restaurant, rather than always eating in. let's all be honest here. it's hard taking kids to restaurants when they're young and we all look for distractions just to have a nice meal out of the house.
i'm against the DVD idea. i think coloring, small toys, even walking the child around until the food comes, all work OK.

Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 7 and 3.

Actually, I disagree I don't think it's hard to bring young children to a restaurant, or at least my young daughter (5) which I'm assuming Divaballerina who posted this is probably speaking about children who are older than really young children, because I can't see a DVD player/movie being that entertaining for a very young child. I think even a 2 year old can sit still (for a minimal amount of time) and listen to what the family is talking about and even engage in the conversation at his/her own level. I see parents walking their very young children (babies) around restaurants, but I don't generally see people walking children who are old enough for a portable DVD player around a restaurant trying to distract them. Discipline should start at a young age as well as teaching respect and manners for others including while eating out at restaurants and if you're not okay with disciplining or teaching the proper manners and respect to your child and rather find something to entertain them instead then I don't think they should be dining out. What's the next thing going to be DVD players at church !!!

If it isn't too loud or you have earphones for your child then I don't think that it is rude.
I think the parents that do this are being very understanding to their children that might not find sitting in a restaurant all that fun!

I think they would be doing a great service to not only the child but to themselves to get to enjoy a nice dinner and not have to shell out for a sitter and get to have their little one join them. What is the difference between entertaining them with a movie or a box of crayons?!

Power to the parents that don't live in the past and embrace the future!

mom2mmmc if that's you're take why not skip dinner and just get a bucket of popcorn and go see a movie. That's ridiculous .... there's a big difference between a box of crayons and a movie ... crayons you can color with your children you can explore their imagination with them, teach them, encourage them to be creative among other things ... what can you do with a DVD player and a movie other than use it as an easy out for yourself from having to discipline and set the stage for expectations. A restaurant is not a movie theater .... dining out is a time for togetherness to visit and spend time together with whom ever you may be with .... if a DVD player is necessary ... you mights well just ask for 2 separate tables so you can forget the children are there all together!!

well, she's not actually 2 quite yet. she's 19 months. she's not talking to much and she's an active one to say the least. I guess I was considering it b/c a friend said she used one and it was a life saver. then i went back to dallas to visit and my best friend pulled her dvd right out of her diaper bag. she put on baby einstein and we got to chat and he sat and watched his show for about 20 mins. i mentioned it to my mom and she flipped out. we don't have any family here and much to my dismay my husband won't let the babies stay with anyone but us. i need a break and a nice chat.

Elizabeth is a discussion leader for arizonamoms she writes about everything from her needing mommy advice to crazy and silly stuff that happens. She lives in the West Valley with her husband and 3 children.

I think many generations of parents have managed dinners out without a DVD, it might take some imagination, but it can be done!! I think I'd feel sorry for the child who goes out to dinner with his/her family then gets stuck with a DVD instead of taking advantage of experiencing a new environment and learning how to behave in a restaurant.

We have twin 2 year olds so, I know how hard it can be, but I think everyone is getting cheated if the DVD comes out!!

And I think Emily Post would bust a gut at the thought.

Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.

No DVDs....going out should be a treat for the kids. Coloring books and table games should be enough to keep them busy until the food comes out. Besides, what kind of grownups will they be if they can only eat with a DVD, iPod or Gameboy?

A DVD player while eating dinner.....Um, ridiculous....when TV and movies become your babysitter, you need help. There is no excuse for that. My first child was going to restaurants since he was born, and therefore knows how to act. He was also never given options at home - I don't own a restaurant and I don't cater to individual requests.....

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Yikes! Some harsh comments, here!

I sympathize with you, truly. Though I've never brought a DVD player to a restaurant with us, I wouldn't automatically frown on someone else who did, especially if they had a young child; each situation is unique. Like you, my husband will not allow me to "hire" a sitter for our son, so if we eat out, our little guy is with us. He's 3, and has developmental delays, including speech delays, and although we continually encourage speaking, "conversation" just isn't going to happen at this point. We never go out without our "bag of tricks"; coloring book and crayons, a couple of board books, a pack of flash-cards with different animals on them, etc. Whatever it takes to insure that ourselves and everyone around us have a pleasant dining experience. Perhaps for an older child, the DVD player in a restaurant may not be ideal, but as I said before, if you don't know someone's particular situation, I wouldn't judge.

Jennifer, mom to one special little boy

Divaballerina,
You asked a very good question and received a ton of answers (some I found kind of rude - after all you were just asking a question. I doubt you have disciplinary problems with your 1 1/2 year old). I have a child the same age as yours & I too have found it difficult at times to bring him out to restaurants. My little one is very active and he does not want to stand outside for the 20-30 minute wait & certainly does not want to sit for the additional hour that it takes to get your food & eat. I feel like the screeching lungs of a toddler are worse than a dvd player - so I understand why you may opt to a dvd player as an entertainment option (it is in no way neglecting your child! Lol!) If it makes for a peaceful dinner, I say do what works best for you (as well as keep in mind the consideration of the other people who are seated near by)! I hope you figure something out & best of luck to you!

I would definitely say it's rude. When you go to a restaurant, you want to relax. Having a DVD in your view - even with the sound off - is distracting and creates a stressful environment.