Crying babies ruined my fancy dinner with my husband – selfish parents should order Deliveroo instead of taking their children to restaurants

A woman has divided opinion after she was furious that a stranger’s crying babies ruined her “very exclusive dinner” date with her husband.

We go to the British parenting platform Mothernetthe woman revealed that she ‘splurged’ on an expensive gastronomic experience with her husband, which was ruined by ‘screeching’ babies in the restaurant.

She was angry that people had taken young children to a restaurant at 7:45 p.m. and not left until 9 p.m., and said that when her children were younger, they were in bed by 7:30 p.m. most nights.

She branded the parents ‘selfish’ and urged them to order from Deliveroo if they aren’t cooking, saying: ‘Babies need sleep, not good food.’

Some were sympathetic and said she was right to expect peace and quiet in a nice restaurant, but others disagreed and urged her to choose a later seating next time.

The message read: ‘I went for a very exclusive dinner on Saturday evening. I’ve been looking forward to it for ages. £150 per person which is a huge splurge for us.

‘When they arrived at 7.45pm, a family of four sat next to us. The (approximately) 3 year old was 50 percent pacified. The (approximately) 9 month old baby in the high chair screamed for about 30 minutes and then fell asleep looking very uncomfortable slumped over the side of the high chair.

“As if their noise wasn’t bad enough, I could hear another child crying in another part of the restaurant for about an hour.

“That child’s noise grew louder as they were pushed through the restaurant in their stroller to leave around 9 p.m. I commented and gestured to my partner. I wasn’t as subtle about this as I thought, because the mother looked angry, waved her arm at me and said, “F*** off”.’

She continues: ‘When my now adult children were still so small, they were in bed at half past seven, unless there was an event such as a wedding.

“We have babysitters for dinner… very rare because it’s very hard to get babysitters. I never dreamed of taking my under-5s to quiet, intimate adult places and then leaving them to cry for the most part. For 1 I wouldn’t have enjoyed my food and for 2 neither would the people around me.

‘There is a reason that Deliveroo exists. Use it. And stop being so damn selfish. Babies need sleep, not good food.”

However, some rushed to the comments to defend the families who took their young children out to eat.

One person said: ‘It’s your fault for not checking if children are allowed sorry. I wouldn’t like this either, but if children are welcome, that happens rightly or wrongly.’

Another said: ‘Kids have as much right to be in a restaurant as you do. Times have changed, people like to spend time with their children and if they want to take them out for dinner, why not! And going to bed at seven o’clock is very early for most families.’

Someone else wrote: ‘Parents have just as much right to space as non-parents. Children have just as much right to space as adults.

‘When I go on holiday I really look forward to having a nice meal and will spend time finding out where to go. I definitely wouldn’t leave it with a stranger. So yes, he will come with me, provided children are allowed.

‘If you want a kid-free experience, go to an adults-only restaurant or book a later dinner. Some people want to celebrate fun things with their kids, like birthdays or promotions, etc. Why should they have to resign themselves to doing that at McDonald’s for years until their kids are old enough to be seen and not heard to please people like you? couples? ?

‘Moreover, this is the way DC learns to behave in these types of situations. I’d much rather take DS somewhere decent than to a restaurant where all the kids are sitting with their faces on an iPad. (No judgement, I get that some kids need this to be occupied or parents need a time out, but not my preference).

‘If he’s fussing I’ll take him out straight away until he settles down, but if he’s babbling and chattering I don’t have a problem with that. I think drunken loud tables of adults can be a lot worse, but you never see it talked about in these types of discussions.”

However, others sided with the woman, with some saying children should be in bed at the time.

One person said: ‘I’m with you OP and I have a 2&4yo. They’re not happy to be out so late and should be in bed!’

Another said: ‘I agree, the kids don’t like it (or they wouldn’t cry) so it’s about the adults putting themselves first. And a baby who sleeps late at night, slumped over the high chair, clearly needs to be in bed! Why are these parents spending all that money on a stressful time with their crying children?’

Someone else wrote: ‘YANBU Op. Babies should be in bed by this time. It’s selfish of the parents to drag them out at that point. When you pay that much per person, you can reasonably expect to enjoy your meal in peace.’