I don’t let my kid order food at restaurants – it’s not abusive, it’s clever
A mom has fiercely divided the web after she shared a hack for dining out with toddlers that led people to label her as “offensive.”
Charles Smith21, from Ohio, regularly vlogs about her daily life as a mother of two on her TikTok account.
Recently, the mother sparked controversy after revealing that she packs her two-year-old toddler his own food while she and her family eat at a restaurant.
After sharing the clip, Karlie faced extreme backlash when she said she won’t let her child order food while she and her family go out to eat.
Karlie Smith, 21, from Ohio, has the internet fiercely divided after she shared a dining out hack with toddlers that led people to label her as ‘offensive’
She regularly vlogs about her daily life as a mother of two on her TikTok account
Recently, the mother sparked controversy after revealing that she lets her two-year-old toddler pack his own food while she and her family eat at a restaurant
In a viral clip, which has been viewed more than 550,000 times, she revealed that she refused to pay $7 for chicken breast and fries if her child – whom she does not name – threw it on the floor anyway.
“Call me cheap, call me whatever, but if we go to a restaurant, I’ll pack a meal for my kid,” she said at the beginning of her video.
She explained that she chose to pack her child a meal for many different reasons, including health and financial reasons.
“I do this for several reasons. On Friday nights my family and I get together and tonight we take out food, my son doesn’t take out food.
“First off, you want me to pay $6.99 for chicken breast and fries that my son is going to throw half on the floor. You’re crazy,” she said.
Karlie added that because of the health benefits, she also packs dinner for her child.
“Whatever I pack will probably be healthier than what the restaurant has anyway,” she added.
The mother-of-two then showed off her child’s dinner, which included a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cheese cubes, a sliced banana and a Lara chocolate bar.
After sharing the clip, Karlie faced extreme backlash when she said she won’t let her child get food while she and her family do
She explained that she chose to bring her child a meal for many different reasons, including health and financial reasons
‘Even when we arrive at a restaurant, my child is not waiting for someone to take his order. He wants to eat now. I can just give him this and let him go to town.
“My kid doesn’t have a mind of his own either, he doesn’t care what he eats, he just wants to eat,” she explained.
However, Karlie claimed that if her child wanted a “grilled cheese” off the menu, she would give it to him.
At the end of the clip, she explained that she “usually” allows him to have chocolate milk while they eat out as a “takeout treat.”
She added, “And after he finishes his food, he usually eats off my plate.”
After watching her video, social media users rushed to the comment section to share their thoughts.
Many viewers slammed the mother, claiming the practice was “abusive” and against health code violations.
One person wrote, “I understand why you do this if your child has allergies, but if you’re cheap, stay home and eat there.”
“This just doesn’t add up,” said another user.
“Girl – this is not okay as a parent to do,” another user added.
Many viewers slammed the mother, claiming the practice was “abusive” and against health code violations
“I could never do it, the guilt would eat away at me too if we can’t all eat out then none of us will,” another person said.
“That’s sad,” one user added.
‘Just wow. The fact that you put your server in an awkward situation knowing full well they shouldn’t and questioning their tip is even worth it,” someone else wrote.
“Poor boy,” added another.
“Put restaurant in violation of health code, they may ask you to leave and if you don’t you are off limits,” one user commented.
“My brother-in-law’s stepfather used to do this to him as abusive,” another user added.
One person said, “I’m going to pay that $6.99 for my kid because this is so wrong.”
However, others called the mother’s hack “clever.”
One user commented, “I’m doing this too! Smartest and most financially responsible choice I’ve ever made!’
“Okay, but this is brilliant,” another user wrote.
Others, however, called the mother’s hack “clever” and added that they would do the same
‘I do the same! My girl picks off my plate plus the food I pack for her,” another user added.
‘I think it’s smart. There will come a day when that child asks for everything. Why not economize if you can. And mom shares,” one wrote.
Another user commented, “This is so clever, my kids always waste food and always eat what I make, so thanks for this tip!” LOL.’
One user said, ‘I love this! It’s a toddler people. These comments are ridiculous. Mom, you’re doing great. ‘
Speak against TodayKarlie said, “Some people said I ‘insulted’ my child.”
She explained that when her son eats at a restaurant, he tends to throw all the food around, but at home he finishes his plate.
She added: “I can feed my child from the moment we sit down at the table – which is when he wants to eat – instead of waiting for drinks and mains.”
Karlie added that she makes sure she leaves an appropriate tip and a clean table, adding that she hasn’t encountered any restaurant workers who have a problem with her bringing in outside food.