When does it become inappropriate

To bring your own food into a restaurant for your LO to eat?

We are going to a family dinner at a restaurant that is primarily sushi and, after looking at the menu, it doesn't look like they offer anything for DS to eat (he's 21 month), except for maybe some lo mein. Would it be totally rude and unacceptable for me to bring something small for him to eat? Maybe a small sandwich and a fruit/veggie pouch? Or do you think I should feed him before we go and sort of let him pick on anything that might be ok for him to eat while we are there?

I'm open to any other suggestions . . .I'm starting to stress this way too much!

Re: When does it become inappropriate

Absolutely bring food!
I would even at 3 years old.
Especially for sushi.
No way in HELLL would DD eat anything even remotley close to sushi.
(can't say I blame her! )

When does it become inappropriate

Definitely bring something and don't feel bad about it at all! DD has food allergies so sometimes it's really hard to find her something. I've never thought twice about bringing food. You can also ask for something simple not on the menu like plain rice or veggies and most places don't mind.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

Thank you! That's sort of what I was thinking too. I guess I was afraid of getting the evil eye from the restaurant staff, but surely I can't be the only one to bring a toddler to a sushi/fusion place and bring something for my kid to eat.

When does it become inappropriate

BTW, last time I brought DD to a sushi place I brought her steamed edemame to snack on and the staff got a kick out of that!

When does it become inappropriate

Definitelty bring food! My DS is 21 months old and we ALWAYS bring his food, I have never gotten the evil eye, or maybe I have but I could care less...DS is eating and happy, that's all I care about.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

def. not inappropriate. bring food.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

My boys are 4 and 2 and I still bring food. My 2 year old needs to eat the moment we get somewhere for some reason. I always keep goldfish, crackers, etc. My 4 yr old is a VERY picky eater so sometimes I take gogurts for him along with a their milk. No one says anything. They're kids. I see adults bring their own dressing for salads and stuff bc of diets. LOL

Re: When does it become inappropriate

Message edited 9/6/2013 12:41:29 PM.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

I bring food anytime we take DS (3) to a restaurant and I've never thought twice about it. He's a very picky eater, so he won't always try something from the menu. Or sometimes it's just an "appetizer" to keep him busy while we wait for the food.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

I must be in the minority because I don't think it is appropriate to bring a sandwich to a restaurant. Baby food is ok but I would not bring a meal.

That being said, we only go to restaurants that have food the boys will eat. I have often requested a restaurant venue change to ensure that my kids will eat. We have a small family though and no extended family in the US. My parents want my kids to eat just as much as I do.

Message edited 9/6/2013 1:38:31 PM.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

Re: When does it become inappropriate

totally fine to bring your own food

we do it all the time with DS (23 months) to have something on hand if there is nothing on the menu we'd want for him.

When does it become inappropriate

Definitely 100% not inappropriate whatsoever. I mean if you brought food for yourself then yes lol! But not for your child, even up to a few years old I think.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

Re: When does it become inappropriate

Re: When does it become inappropriate

my son has been going to sushi restaurants since he was tiny. Most times we get him edamame, chicken, brocolli, lately he has been asking to eat seaweed (thanks Octonauts!!!) so we are going to try some cooked rolls

Re: When does it become inappropriate

I don't think there is anything wrong with it, but I also don't want to completely cater to my kids, if that makes sense.
I want my kids to know that they either need to learn to try new foodd or eat something that may not be there favorite but will still eat it, just like adults do. My kids are 2.5, 6 & 7. I bring snacks for when we go shopping. I actually don't recall the last time I brought a snack into a restaurant for them. Sometimes they eat and sometimes they don't and I am ok with that. They know if they don't eat, they go to bed hungry.
The only thing I do look out for is allergies. I will look at a menu to make sure there is something they can eat or something that would be easy to change or eliminate in a dish.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

Message edited 9/7/2013 5:03:46 PM.

When does it become inappropriate

If I had to bring my kids their own meals (aside from baby food for an infant), I wouldn't even bother going out to eat. What's the point? LOL. I would just order in.

In your specific situation, I would feed him before you go.

Message edited 9/7/2013 5:03:08 PM.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

I think it only becomes in appropriate when the kid is big and could eat off the kids menu. Even then, you can always do what you want. As long as the adults are eating, I think it is fine.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

My DD will be 5 this month and I still, on occasion, bring food for her from home to a restaurant. I don't see the big deal.


ETA - If I bring something it's NOT because she won't eat something there, she can always find something to eat. It's just my DD eats like a bird a lot of the time and its such a waste to spend $5-7 on a kids meal when I know she'll take two bites. So we either share our meals with her or bring a little something from home. I don't really do it often, more so when she was younger, but ultimately, I don't see the issue. We're still buying meals/drinks/desserts etc and paying.........who really cares what a 5 yr old is nibbling on while we dine? Eh, not worth stressing about IMO.

Message edited 9/7/2013 9:11:15 PM.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

Honestly, I would never bring my kids food to a restaurant once they started table food. I think it's rude and IMO it is the reason you see so many kids that will eat only chicken nuggets or pb&j. I was always of the mentality hat this is what there is (within reason) if you are hungry you eat it if not I guess you will be hungry.

When the were really little - like 12 months- I would bring some goldfish or Cheerios to nibble on before the meal. But even at sushi restaurants they can eat white rice, broccoli and chicken teriyaki.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

Oops.......nm

Message edited 9/7/2013 9:10:26 PM.

Re: When does it become inappropriate

I see both sides. On one end, I don't see a problem bringing some options- fruit pouch, crackers, cheese stick, etc... But I would never bring a sandwich or a complete meal. I would, and always have, ordered my DC something off the menu. There is always something. Plus I genuinely believe that my kids are as good eaters as they are because we've introduced them to many different types of food from a young age. Now don't get me wrong, my kids like chicken nuggets and burgers as much as the next kid, but they also love all kinds of seafood, steaks, sushi, and especially Asian cuisines.