Believe it or not, I am not against screen time for kids. I've often found myself placing my child in front of the TV just to have a moment of tranquility or get some household chores done. However, my husband and I strictly adhere to the rule of no iPads or tablets at the dinner table, especially when we're out at a restaurant. It seems we're not the only ones with this stance!

Parenting Expert's Perspective on Screen Time at Restaurants

During an appearance on the Him & Her Podcast hosted by Lauryn and Michael Bosstick, parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy joined the polarizing discussion. Michael firmly stated that he believes there should never be iPads inside restaurants and labeled parents who do so as "selfish." He said, "I think it's a selfish thing that parents do personally - and this is where I'll get shit on the internet - to say, 'Well, I need to be able to go to dinner with my spouse and I want to bring my kids, so this is the only way I can bring it. And I don't have childcare.' But if you fast forward, you're creating a behavior for life. Are you really doing it for yourself, for them, or considering the long-term effects? In my perfect world, there would never be iPads at the dinner table. If that's a requirement for them to come to dinner, then they don't come."Dr. Becky nodded and added that if parents want their kids to be able to sit at the dinner table without distractions or entertainment, we as parents need to provide them with the necessary tools. She also follows the rule of no screens at the table and sees it as a message to her kids.She said, "I feel like what I'm telling my kids is that the world is not entirely designed for their pleasure. In every moment, they should not be entertained. Sitting at a restaurant, ordering, and waiting - those are life skills that lead to the most important adult life skills, like waiting. It's an actual skill.""We don't expect kids to swim in the ocean without first having training in a pool. We give them swim lessons to prepare them. The same applies at a restaurant," she continued.Dr. Becky then gave an example of how parents can help prepare their kids for a screen-free restaurant visit. She said, "Okay, tonight is the first night we're going to have a screen-free dinner, and that's for everyone. Even a two-year-old can understand this. Sometimes mommy and daddy have screens at the table. You've probably seen that. Starting tonight, we're not, and if you see us sneaking, you can say, 'Screen!'"She also gave another example, demonstrating a simple game parents can play with their kids involving timers. She said, "I'm going to set a timer. Do you think we can do it?" She would start with a one-minute timer. The next night, she would increase it to two minutes. By doing this, she not only set a boundary but also set her kids up for success. Instead of having a chaotic first-time experience at a restaurant, they would be accustomed to the situation.It's important to note that all kids have different needs, and some parents may not be able to afford to keep their kids at home when going out. We should not judge those who choose to have their kids use tablets in a restaurant. However, there are likely more benefits in the long run if we remove the screens.