Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay for food from the kids' menu?

MSE_Sarah

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

When I take my two-year-old into cafes and restaurants I bring food from outside for her, and it's never been an issue with staff. But at what age does this become morally dubious, given she does now eat most of the food you find on the kids' menu?

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Pollycat

MSE_Sarah wrote: »

When I take my two-year-old into cafes and restaurants I bring food from outside for her, and it's never been an issue with staff. But at what age does this become morally dubious, given she does now eat most of the food you find on the kids' menu?

If she eats most of the food found on kids' menus, you should order from that.

sheramber

You don't bring your own food to eat so why bring your child's?

gettingtheresometime

I read the dilemma as the writer previously took food for her daughter as the child's menu was unsuitable but now the menu contains suitable food.


My take on it is that provided the writer bought food in the caf! to eat for herself and didn't expect the caf! to provide cutlery or plates for the daughter's food then I can't see there being too much of a problem.


Having said that I'm a strong believer in that we get the high street we're prepared to pay for.

kathrynha

Once you're past the weaning stage you should feed your child off the menu, whether that is from your plate initially, or their own food.


Even then, if a place had baby food available, I would have bought from the place once my child was old enough.

TBagpuss

I think at the point where there are things on the menu shewill eat, you order from the menu.

I don't think it would be unreasonable to have something small, such as a piece of fruit, available to offer her, if you are concerned that the food won't come out fast enough - giving her a bit of banana or some grapes while you wait for your order to come out, to avoid having a fractious child, is probably in everyone's interests.

Mac9091_2

Couple of options.

A. Take along your own food but go to the park instead of a cafe.

B. Keep doing as you are until the cafe has a problem with it, then either start buying food from there, find another cafe or go with option A.

I regularly visit coffee shops when out cycling however I generally eat the stuff I bring with me rather than buying Thiers.

LilElvis

Mac9091 wrote: »

Couple of options.

A. Take along your own food but go to the park instead of a cafe.

B. Keep doing as you are until the cafe has a problem with it, then either start buying food from there, find another cafe or go with option A.

I regularly visit coffee shops when out cycling however I generally eat the stuff I bring with me rather than buying Thiers.

Or go to one of the chain restaurants that have offers where "kids eat for £1" when an adult is paying for a meal. Apps readily available on all smart phones.

happyinflorida

You ask what age does it become morally dubious. Personally I don't think it's to do with age so much.

Many places to eat are probably used to children having allergies or being fussy so people might bring in food for them to eat whilst the adult eats from the menu.

However you don't say why you're still doing this.

So my answer depends on why you're doing it.


Do you want your child to eat the food you provide because you think it's healthier and you're worried about them having bad food containing god knows what?

Or is for financial reasons? You can afford to eat but not to buy your child food as well.

Personally I think it's ok to continue bringing food for your child as long as the place is ok with you doing this.

One of mine when young suffered from food allergies for years, I'd just say to the person taking our order that mine was having food brought with us due to allergies and we never had a problem. I think with the big hoo haa made nowadays over places being fined if anything supplied causes illness, most places would rather not supply food just in case, to avoid any problems.

It's your choice really. Do whatever you're happy doing.

merixmas

In my experience your child will soon insist on ordering from the menu and refuse food brought in. Then the next shock is when you realise they can read the menu so you can't 'edit' it, as in 'they don't have any fizzy drinks!'.

JayD

Now that your child is able to eat from the menu - and assuming that the items on it are things you are happy for her to eat - then I think you should be buying her meals alongside your own.


Not only is this morally the right thing to do - after all, you are sharing the facilities with your daughter, even if she doesn't use any of their cutlery or crockery. Also, isn't it much more about sharing the eating out experience with her, rather than excluding her from it?