Is It Rude to Take a 5 Month Old into an Expensive Restaurant?

Hello D.,
My baby girl is 7 months old, the last time I was in a real restaurant was Windy City pizza, it was a disaster! I have 2 older ones 5 and 2 1/2, the only that behaved was my 5 yr old. I agree totally w/ the other moms. It won't be enjoyable to you or anyone else! Treat yourself and hire a sitter! Maybe Grnadma can babysitt? Just kidding! I think you are very considerate of others, so do yourself a favor and don't bring your little one! Good luck! M.

D.,

I would just use your own judgement. If you think the baby will act up, by all means hire a sitter, or another family relative that you trust that is not going to this dinner.

I think you are being very considerate of the other diners. When it comes to moving to another table, that is not always possible, especially if it is a busy establishment. Such as Bern's, Charleys, Ruth Christ etc.

I don't think anyone minds good babies, but no one (parents included), want to be around crying kids, or those jumping up and down on chairs an running around.

If you feel she will start crying I personally wouldn't take her. If you do take her and she does, for the sake of the other dinners I would remove her from that situation.

Frankly, I think that it is exceptionally rude to take a baby that is unable to handle a situation like this to a very nice restaurant. I don't think that my son (9 months) would able to sit still and quietly for this long either so I wouldn't put him in a situation like this. It would be no fun for anyone. I know that if I went to an expensive restaurant, I would expect to be able to enjoy my meal in peace without hearing a screaming baby. Expecting people to move to a different table is very rude and selfish of your grandma. I know when my son has a meltdown, it doesn't matter where someone would move to because he is loud. In my opinion, there are some places that just aren't appropriate for young children and this is one of them.

Hi D.. I agree with the other two moms. I worked in restaurants most of my life and there is nothing worse that a screaming child. We know that it's not their faults.(too many people,noise ect.) But in a nice upscale restaurant people go for the atmosphere as well as the food. And why would you want to mess up your evening as well. If you cant go to a place that is family friendly,hire a sitter. There are many nice family steak houses. ( Outback,Longhorns) It sounds like Grandma doesn't think that she should worry about anyone but herself. Being a mother of a newborn I learned very Quickly that she just doesn't like being around alot of people. Unlike my son at her age who would fall asleep. I want to say thank you for all the other restaurant workers, You sound like you already know the answer to your question. Tell Grandma that the Golden Coral has just as good food as those overpriced places anyway and your baby will be in a place where she will get looks of love instead of looks of annoyance.

I think it is okay to take your baby into a nice restaurant. I wouldn't worry so much about what other people think. Obviously you should be considerate and try to keep your baby happy, but to think that you can't enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant just because you have a baby is not right. Enjoy your time w/ her and bring some toys along for her to play with. Good luck :-)

Well I read all the other response before making my comment and I have an 18month old son who goes to work with me everyday. I work in an office building answer phones ect. Every week the boss takes us out to lunch since he was 2months old and I am thankful for that because now at 18months he knows how to conduct himself at a restaurant. Yes he has his fitts when he wants to play with the sugar but i bring a diaper bag full of his favorite snacks. Because i feed him prior to going out and make sure he's rested. So he sits in his highchair and munches on goldfish and puffs and crackers. I believe people who don't take there children out at a young age are the ones who have the most trouble because they aren't used to it. My friend has twins 9months and son 5years old and our families frequently go out to eat Chillis, Don Pablos, Tias, Cracker Barell ect. And we have no problems. Children are no worse than those idiots who talk on there phones in a restaurant. You life should not be over or stop once you have children. Children are not a punishment to you social life. Please note I believe very strongly about this if you dont try it how will you know. Just plan ahead get rested, blanket, cup, wipes ect.

Layla,

My advice/thought on the subject is this...if you make it a time that is convient for the child, i.e., after nap or a full belly, wehn she is the happiest, then the event should go smoothly. If you plan it when she is tire, hungry or not feeling well, you are setting her up for failure, yourself for frustration, and the other guests for a stressful evening. Ultimately, the choice is yours. I am a mom that has to take her children EVERYWHERE, so I try to make it a successful trip. Good luck.

D. C.