I don’t let my kid order food at restaurants – it’s not abusive, it’s clever

A mom has fiercely divided the web after sharing a hack for dining out with toddlers, sparking people to brand her as ‘abusive.’ 

Karlie Smith, 21, from Ohio, frequently vlogs about her day-to-day life as a mom-of-two on her TikTok account. 

Most recently, the mom sparked controversy after she revealed she packs her two-year-old toddler his own dinner while she and her family eat at a restaurant. 

After sharing the clip, Karlie faced extreme backlash when she said she doesn’t let her kid order food out while she and her family dine out. 

Karlie Smith, 21, from Ohio, has fiercely divided the web after sharing a hack for dining out with toddlers, sparking people to brand her as ‘abusive’

She frequently vlogs about her day-to-day life as a mom-of-two on her TikTok account

She frequently vlogs about her day-to-day life as a mom-of-two on her TikTok account

Most recently, the mom sparked controversy after she revealed she packs her two-year-old toddler his own dinner while her and her family eat at a restaurant

Most recently, the mom sparked controversy after she revealed she packs her two-year-old toddler his own dinner while her and her family eat at a restaurant

In a viral clip, which amassed over 550,000 views, she revealed she refused to pay $7 for chicken tenders and fries when her child – whom she doesn’t name – would end up throwing it on the floor anyways. 

‘Call me cheap, call me whatever, but if we’re going out to a restaurant, I’m packing my kid a meal,’ she said at the beginning of her video. 

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She explained that she chose to pack her child a meal for many different reasons – including health and financial reasons. 

‘I do this for many reasons. On Friday nights my family and I get together and tonight were getting food out, my son is not getting food out. 

‘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,’ she said. 

Karlie added that she also packs her child a dinner because of its health benefits. 

‘Also, whatever I pack is probably gonna be healthier than what the restaurant has anyways,’ she added. 

The mom-of-two then showed off her child’s dinner for the night, which included a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cheese cubes, a sliced banana, and a chocolate Lara bar.  

After sharing the clip, Karlie faced extreme backlash when she said she doesn't let her kid get food out while her and her family do

After sharing the clip, Karlie faced extreme backlash when she said she doesn’t let her kid get food out while her and her family do

She explained that she chose to pack her child a meal for many different reasons - including for health and financial reasons

She explained that she chose to pack her child a meal for many different reasons – including for health and financial reasons

 ‘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. 

‘Also, my child is not opinionated, he does not care what he eats, he just wants to eat,’ she explained. 

Karlie did however claim that if her child wanted a ‘grilled cheese’ off the menu instead she would let him have that.  

At the end of the clip, she explained that she ‘usually’ allows him to get a chocolate milk while they are dining out as a ‘take out treat.’ 

She added: ‘And after he finishes his food, he’s usually eating off of my plate.’ 

After viewing her video, social media users rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts. 

Many viewers slammed the mom, claiming the practice was ‘abuse’, and against health code violations. 

One person wrote: ‘I can see why you’re doing this if your kid has allergies but if you’re cheap stay home and eat there.’

‘This is just not right,’ said another user.

 ‘Girl – this is not okay as a parent to do,’ added another user.

Many viewers slammed the mom, claiming the practice was 'abuse', and against health code violations

Many viewers slammed the mom, claiming the practice was ‘abuse’, and against health code violations

‘I could never, the guilt would eat at me also if we cant all eat out, then none of us do,’ said another person.

‘That’s sad,’ added one user.

‘Just wow. The fact that you’re putting your server in a uncomfortable situation knowing well that is not allowed and doubt their tip is even worth it,’ wrote someone else.

‘Poor kid,’ added another person.

‘Puts restaurant in health code violation, they can ask you to leave and if you don’t you are trespassing,’ commented one user.

‘My brother in law’s step father used to do this to him as abuse,’ added another user. 

One person said: ‘I’m gonna pay that $6.99 for my child, because this is so wrong.’  

However, others branded the mom’s hack ‘smart.’ 

One user commented: ‘I do this too! Smartest and most financially sound choice I’ve ever made!’

‘Ok but this is brilliant,’ wrote another user.

However, others branded the mom's hack 'smart' adding that they would do the same thing

However, others branded the mom’s hack ‘smart’ adding that they would do the same thing

‘I do the same! My girl picks off my plate plus the food I pack her,’ added another user.

‘I think it’s smart. A day will come when said kid asks for everything. Why not cut costs when you can. Plus mom is sharing,’ wrote one person.

Another user commented: ‘This is so smart, my kids always waste out food & always eat what I make so thanks for this tip! Lol.’ 

One user said: ‘Love this! It’s a toddler folks. These comments are ridiculous. Mama, you are doing great. ‘

Speaking to Today, Karlie said: ‘Some people said I was “abusive” to my child.’ 

She explained that when her son eats at a restaurant, he tends to throw all of the food around, however, at home, he finishes his plate.  

She added: ‘I can feed my child from the moment we sit down at a table — which is when he wants to eat — instead of waiting for drink and entrée orders.’

Karlie added that she ensures to leave an appropriate tip and a clean table, adding that she has yet to encounter any restaurant workers who have a problem with her bringing in outside food. 

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