Mum splits opinion after bringing toddler's own meal to restaurant

Kids are notoriously difficult when it comes to their eating habits. Table manners are a matter we don’t have the time, energy or wherewithal to get into here, and that’s just one side of the chaos that is toddler dinnertime.

The other, more pressing concern is what they will and won’t eat. Kids have a tendency to be fussy, especially if they’re neurodivergent, and so many parents face an uphill battle in convincing their little ones to eat vegetables instead of demanding nothing but chicken nuggets and milk.

All of that is challenging enough when it’s contained to your home, but it can all become considerably more stressful when you mix those problems with the public setting of a restaurant.

Incredible patience is often required (Maskot/Getty Images)

The last thing you want is to contend with a screaming meltdown at Pizza Hut, let alone at somewhere serving main courses over £20.

One TikToker mum, Karlie (@unbreakablemomma), shared her method for pre-emptively mitigating tantrums and food refusals in restaurants, and it’s a divisive strategy to say the least.

"Call me cheap, call me whatever, but if we’re going out to a restaurant, I’m packing my kid a meal,” she explained in one of her videos. For reference, her son is a fully-fledged toddler.

"I do this for many reasons. On Friday nights, my family and I get together and tonight, we’re getting food out. My son is not getting food out."

As to why she packs a meal for her kid, she explained: "For one, you want me to pay $6.99 for chicken tenders and fries that my son is going to throw half of it on the floor? You’re crazy.

"Also, whatever I pack is probably going to be healthier than what the restaurant has anyways." Considering what she packed for her toddler, this might be a bit of a stretch unless they’re dining out at a KFC: "Tonight on the menu, peanut butter and jelly, bananas, mild cheddar cheese cubes, and a chocolate Lara bar."

Anyway, she continued: "Also, when we get to a restaurant, my child is not waiting for anyone to take his order.

"He wants to eat now. I can just hand him this and let him go to town." This is fair enough; teaching a toddler patience is a bit like trying to teach a wolverine to code, and perhaps the restaurant environment isn’t the best place to grapple with such challenges.

Finally, she said: "My child is not opinionated.

"He does not care what he eats - he just wants to eat."

The clip, which has racked up over half a million views at the time of writing, has spurred a lively debate in the comments.

"Yeah no my child still has the joy of eating out," said one contrary voice.

"I tried doing this once and I felt so much mum guilt,” said another. “Like I was leaving her out or something."

"That’s a no for me," added another. "I was excited when I got to start ordering for my kid off the menu."

Karlie's packed dinner for her kid's meal out (@unbreakablemomma/TikTok)

"This is so wrong in my opinion,” condemned a fourth comment. “If we either can’t afford or there’s nothing at that place my kids like, we ain’t eating there."

Other parents – presumably either in the trenches with or suffering PTSD from a few public toddler tantrums – felt differently.

"This is actually genius,” said an approving voice. “My son is so picky and I always end up paying for something he doesn’t eat."

"I do this too!” admitted another. “Smartest and most financially sound choice I’ve ever made!"

"Ignore the hate," said another reassuring comment. "I support this! So smart! Imma be doing this save this single momma money and a dinner less stressful!!"

"You're not cheap! You're reasonable!" echoed another.

What’s your take?