Prince Louie going through THAT stage

I deliberately avoid eating out at a time or place when my enjoyment is likely to be ruined by other people’s children. I didn’t inflict my child, quiet and well behaved though he was, on other people - why should I have to suffer theirs? I’m delighted to hear that the lovely Rules has imposed age-related requirements and wish other good restaurants would do likewise.

Joseanne

And where were Grandma and Grandpa Middleton when you needed them?

At home in the warm with large G &
T’s ?

Joseanne

And where were Grandma and Grandpa Middleton when you needed them?

Now there’s a thought.
I really hadn’t thought of that.

Grannynannywanny

I’m just surprised that the Royal children managed to remain in the Royal enclosure for so long without taking it in turns to be taken out to the toilet when they’d reached their boredom threshold.

There is a video of The Duchess and Charlotte leaving their seats and returning.

And where were Grandma and Grandpa Middleton when you needed them?

I’m just surprised that the Royal children managed to remain in the Royal enclosure for so long without taking it in turns to be taken out to the toilet when they’d reached their boredom threshold.

He could have been 'having a moment'. Our granddaughter was an extremely well behaved child. She is an only child as is her mother, our daughter. DD was adamant she was not going to 'raise a brat' (her words). Granddaughter was a pleasure to take anywhere. Her parents got a lot of praise for her manners and behaviour. We had the usual not wanting to go to bed, or stay in bed, clean her teeth, eat her greens, the normal stuff. Never rudeness or tantrums.
However, one day when she was about 5, I took her to the supermarket. There was one of those car things that they could sit in for 20p or something. It had a sign on it to say it was out of order. She asked to go on it. I explained that she couldn't. She immediately sat on it and would not budge. When I eventually got her off it she started kicking it and screaming. Everyone was looking at us. I got her away from it and tried to do my shopping. She was grabbing things off shelves and throwing them about. I couldn't believe what was happening. I eventually got to the till with her. She ran off with me grabbing my shopping and chasing after her. I heard people tutting. It had never happened before and never did again. I was shell shocked!

Well said Grandpanow.

Louis was being difficult, to be expected in a tired, bored 4 year old. I've not seen any evidence he was "shattering the peace" or causing discomfort to anybody other than his mother who was disciplining him without making a huge embarrassing fuss.

And French dogs are always well behaved in restaurants. Mine would have his paws on the table! ?

Our family home was in mainland Southern Europe for many years, I can tell you that they also have unruly children

Germanshepherdsmum

Would anyone here be happy to be in, say, a restaurant where they might reasonably expect to enjoy a calm and pleasant time, and have a child behaving like Louis turn up at the next table shattering the peace?

It wouldn’t bother me at all. Another person glaring or muttering about the family would…. But I would not propose to ban the grumps from outings, either.

I have encountered far more obnoxious and loud adults than noisy unruly children in restaurants, and that’s at all price points

I wonder, do the French not have any neurodivergent children or do they keep them locked out of sight so as to avoid annoying the tutters? I simply can't believe that all French children behave impeccably 100% of the time, not even the neurotypical ones.
My experience would suggest that France, Italy, Spain are all generally more child friendly and welcoming. When wait staff have interacted with my grandson in this country he is much more engaged and consequently less stressed and doesn't misbehave. There is always an iPad or phone to hand for quiet distraction should the need arise.
Poor Louis having his behaviour criticised and filmed for the world stage. Any decent director would have made sure he was out of vision when he was obviously upset and stressed. And as for the criticism of Catherine that has been mooted on these forums, she was in an impossible situation, and from what I've seen handled it as well as possible. I didn't watch the pageant, I've only seen the clips that are all over the internet.

Germanshepherdsmum

Would anyone here be happy to be in, say, a restaurant where they might reasonably expect to enjoy a calm and pleasant time, and have a child behaving like Louis turn up at the next table shattering the peace?

Wouldn’t bother me much. I’d just be glad I wasn’t having to deal with said child.

Doodledog

The thing is - if a child misbehaves in a restaurant you can take them out until they can behave. That's not really an option in a Royal Box, is it?

Exactly so! I’m not the greatest fan of the RF but having watched the video, I think the little boy’s mother managed it well under the circumstances! Shame his father wasn’t more helpful…

volver

Lived in France 30-odd years ago. Was very impressed by the fact that French children in restaurants were expected to sit properly at the table, and eat what the adults were eating.

Then we came back to the UK and it was like Armageddon. ?

I lived in France until three years ago… my observation was that children are generally welcome in restaurants, even later in the evening. And yes, they eat well! But then the European attitude to all generations being together in public is quite different to ours… and the children behave accordingly. No one expects them to sit still throughout the long meals, and everyone takes turns to include them in the general enjoyment. Restaurant staff especially are so welcoming. My grandchildren adored eating out in France, or Italy, Portugal, etc.

It does make me sad that their presence is so often frowned upon here… and it’s a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy - if you expect children to be a nuisance, you will probably experience their age-appropriate behaviour as annoying!

The thing is - if a child misbehaves in a restaurant you can take them out until they can behave. That's not really an option in a Royal Box, is it?

volver

We obviously move in different circles then GG13.

I think it’s to do with children being taken out to eat from an early age. Along with not being put at the end of the table/separate table.

We always have the children interspersed with the adults and include them in conversation.

GrannyGravy13

Joseanne

Rules have changed their policy to no under 10s now GG13. I don't know why?

That’s a shame, The Manoir, and most of The Roux restaurants used to allow children, haven’t checked since lockdown to see if anything has changed.

Yes, Raymond is passionate about educating little children's taste buds. High chairs and especially yummy desserts.

Lowers the tone a tad.

We did once have a complaint in Wetherspoons of all places because the child I was with was laughing too loud.

Joseanne

Rules have changed their policy to no under 10s now GG13. I don't know why?

That’s a shame, The Manoir, and most of The Roux restaurants used to allow children, haven’t checked since lockdown to see if anything has changed.

We obviously move in different circles then GG13.

Galaxy

I imagine he would have behaved more appropriately at a restaurant. Having a meal as a child is very different to being asked to sit through tedious entertainment for hours.

It was a totally unnatural situation.
I’m my experience children that age aren’t even expected to sit through an assembly more than 30 minutes.
They are hard wired to become bored - their brains hunger for and thrive on almost constant stimulation

^sweeping not seeping