I'm not raising an iPad kid & I'm still called selfish for letting him run in restaurants & stand on tables making noise

The Sun

15-07-2025

A MUM has been slammed after sharing how difficult it is not raising an iPad kid.
Irene took to social media to show the reality of taking a toddler out to a restaurant but it seemed many lacked sympathy for the mum.
The term ' iPad kids' means young children who seemingly can't function or behave without being put in front of a screen.
Many child experts have also discussed the dangers of relying on screens to keep kids entertained.
It has also been linked to higher anxiety, depression symptoms, lower quality of life and lower psychological well-being in children, which could in turn, make them poorly behaved.
But Irene was trying her best to make sure her son didn't turn into one.
Unlike many parents, the mum refused to give her toddler an iPad while she and her partner were dining out to keep him entertained.
She said: "Fighting for our lives trying not to raise an iPad kid.
"Absolutely feral."
In the short video, she shared what her son got up to while in the restaurant.
He could be seen running around on top of their table until their food came.
Once it did, she put him in the high chair where he began to grab items to chuck on the floor.
Watch the moment mum returns to her toddler son after leaving him for a minute and find he's EATEN her dad's ASHES
Despite the mum trying to keep her son away from technology, she was still slammed online.
The video shared to her TikTok page @ irene_arr went viral with over 2 million views.
Many said she was selfish for letting her kid run around on the table instead of giving him other ways to keep entertained.
One person wrote: "The kids standing on the table and you aren't doing nothing about it I'm going to judge sorry, public place that's someone else's tables."
Another commented: "It's fine not to have an iPad kid but don't let your kid walk all over the table. Can you teach him to sit down normally?"
Tips for Dealing with Toddlers
IF you're struggling to control your toddler, here's ten tips that you need to know...
Stay Calm and Patient
Take deep breaths and maintain a calm demeanor.
Patience is key; toddlers are still learning to navigate their emotions and behaviors.
Set Clear Boundaries
Establish consistent rules and explain them in simple terms.
Be firm but gentle in enforcing boundaries.
Offer Choices
Give your toddler options to foster independence.
For example, let them choose between two outfits or snacks.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Praise good behavior and offer small rewards.
Acknowledge their efforts and achievements to encourage repetition of positive actions.
Create a Routine
Structure and predictability help toddlers feel secure.
Maintain regular meal times, nap times, and bedtime routines.
Stay Engaged
Spend quality time interacting with your toddler.
Read, play, and explore activities together to strengthen your bond.
Be a Role Model
Demonstrate the behavior you expect from your toddler.
Use polite language, share, and show empathy in your interactions.
Encourage Communication
Help your toddler express their feelings with words.
Teach them simple phrases to communicate needs and emotions.
Redirect Attention
When faced with undesirable behavior, distract and redirect their focus.
Introduce a new activity or toy to shift attention away from the issue.
Ensure Safety
Child-proof your home to prevent accidents.
Supervise your toddler closely to keep them safe while exploring.
"If you can't parent your child, don't take him out in public. It's rude to the server, the staff and everyone at the establishment. It's not their job to clean up after your toddler walking on the tables is unacceptable," penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: "The real problem is when you can't control your kids when they aren't iPad kids it's okay to have an iPad don't gotta have it all the time but super annoying your kids screaming in restaurant and you can't control them."
"People judge when kids are loud and playing but will judge when they have a screen you can't win either way,' claimed a fifth