Post by ericalee2013 on Jan 18, 2015 16:00:17 GMT -5
What do you do with your LO in restaurants? DD used to sit so quietly and just people watch but those days are gone! She's not exactly loud but she constantly wants something or is throwing that same thing across the table. I also feel like MH and I don't really spend much talking to each other and more time entertaining or watching her. I desperately want a child that can talk with adults at a restaurant and not a digital zombie like so many kids we see.
We have good days and bad days. We havent resorted to breaking out the phone to entertain her...yet. but I so understand why people do. The few times that have been really bad (she was overly tired and just couldn't handle it) I ended up taking her out in the entrance way to let her run around and blow steam without interrupting everyone's dinner. It totally sucks! Dh and I usually just get to go plates and enjoy dinner after we get her home and in bed.
I keep telling myself there will come a day when she'll be too embarrassed to be seen with us, let alone eat with us. It helps me suck it up.
We don't eat out much (not because of E) but when we do he's generally pretty okay. I think it's important to make sure LO is not "zomg starving!!!!" when you go out. Hunger in this house makes for meltdown city. I also pretty much never leave home without puffs or goldfish or some such thing. Food is a great distraction for E. Some printer paper and a couple crayons would probably be good at this age, or maybe a favorite book or small toy. I let E play with straws and wrappers if they're available.
E actually does pretty good when going out to eat. Ever since she was just a few weeks old, we took her out. As she got older, we used our Bumbo which we sat at on our table (flame away...LOL). Once she was of high chair age, she just started doing that. We come armed with her sippy, some snacks, and usually some sort of packet. She still eats baby food packets, so that usually help get over that initial hunger. Then we let her entertain us/herself with crayons, straws, napkins, spoons. Usually she is fine till the food comes. She may or may not eat from our plates. Depending on her mood, we either have to shovel it in, or can eat at our own pace. Usually DH eats quickly if she is fussy while I hold her, then he takes her outside to allow me to eat and pay the bill. We get told all the time how good she is at restaurants so I guess we doing something right
Oh, we do occasionally giver her our phone, but she usually ends up throwing it. She does have a few toys that we keep on hand that will help keep her occupied
Post by ericalee2013 on Jan 19, 2015 7:34:57 GMT -5
Thanks everyone, I feel like we are on the same page now. I always have things for her to eat when we go out and she usually has some bites of our meals too. I bring lots of books and small things for her to explore/play with. My main concern right now is the amount of time we spend just keeping her entertained versus entertaining herself like she does at home.
I started reading Bringing Up Bebe and it's always in my head now. Anyone else read that book? I just get scared that we are making mistakes and will end up sorry that we did or did not do certain things starting from a young age.
Thanks everyone, I feel like we are on the same page now. I always have things for her to eat when we go out and she usually has some bites of our meals too. I bring lots of books and small things for her to explore/play with. My main concern right now is the amount of time we spend just keeping her entertained versus entertaining herself like she does at home.
I started reading Bringing Up Bebe and it's always in my head now. Anyone else read that book? I just get scared that we are making mistakes and will end up sorry that we did or did not do certain things starting from a young age.
Thanks for the great advice!
It's incredibly unlikely that you're screwing her up You're doing a great job!
Going out isn't usually too bad, if she's hungry enough, she's happy just chowing down her food. If she finishes up eating before us then she needs to be entertained or she'll get fussy in the high chair and want out. But lately she's big into crayons and will keep herself happy coloring for a bit while we finish up. Seriously, crayons are like magic right now, it's great!
Going out isn't usually too bad, if she's hungry enough, she's happy just chowing down her food. If she finishes up eating before us then she needs to be entertained or she'll get fussy in the high chair and want out. But lately she's big into crayons and will keep herself happy coloring for a bit while we finish up. Seriously, crayons are like magic right now, it's great!
Crayons were magical for us until she realized that she can shave off pieces onto her tongue, proceed to stick her tongue out and and I will inevitably pick the crayon off her tongue. It's fucking hilarious. (Please note the purple sarcasm font).
Going out isn't usually too bad, if she's hungry enough, she's happy just chowing down her food. If she finishes up eating before us then she needs to be entertained or she'll get fussy in the high chair and want out. But lately she's big into crayons and will keep herself happy coloring for a bit while we finish up. Seriously, crayons are like magic right now, it's great!
Crayons were magical for us until she realized that she can shave off pieces onto her tongue, proceed to stick her tongue out and and I will inevitably pick the crayon off her tongue. It's fucking hilarious. (Please note the purple sarcasm font).
Ohhhh boy! I hope we have some time before she starts using the crayons for things other than coloring...LOL
Post by carrotcake on Jan 19, 2015 23:41:36 GMT -5
Going out to eat can be stressful but I find it much more manageable if I'm prepared. All restaurants are not created equal, either.
We always order for the kids right away. And I always have sippies and snacks at the ready to hold everyone over. I figure we have about an hour before restlessness kicks in. When I just had one, I was fine w letting him out of the high chair and onto a lap or for a walk but with the 3 of them, it's just time to cut your losses and go.
I generally can't carry on an adult conversation while tending to the needs of all the kids. We allow the big one to watch our phone while we wait for food sometimes. He stops when the food comes.
There is also no dawdling after the kids finish. If one of us isn't done, we take it. Not worth the hassle.
This is a good age to go out to eat. It gets hard again between 2.5-3.5 when crayons and utensils and other random objects aren't fun anymore. Then it gets better again around 3.5-4 when they can sit still and are starting to practice (limited) impulse control.
Post by heysailor88 on Jan 20, 2015 17:15:02 GMT -5
We don't go out to eat often because it's such a pain in the ass. Griffin does NOT like eating nor does he like sitting still. So going out to eat is a PITA.
I try to tire my LO out before going to a restaurant. So usually will try to hit a playground or somewhere he can blow off some steam and energy beforehand. That helps combat the restlessness a little bit. And, as a bonus he's usually hungry so we can give him some snacks and he'll sometimes eat what we're eating too. Then I usually give him some crayons or something small to play with. At home we all sit for dinner together, whether he's eating or not, so I think he's starting to get the drill of dinnertime being family time. If he does start to get restless, my husband will usually take him on an adventure - out to the parking lot where they'll walk around a little until he calms down.
We don't really go out to eat much either. When we do it's usually with family so there are plenty of helping hands! I figure even if it's extra work now it's worth it to keep trying and getting them used to it little by little.
Post by threetexans on Jan 23, 2015 16:49:19 GMT -5
We maybe go out as a family once or twice a month, and then she and I do lunch with friends a few times a month. She usually sits and plays with a toy or "reads" her board books while we order. I try to wait to dole out her food as long as I can. She's generally happy as long as she is eating. We try to wrap it up when she is done. Crayons are still for eating, so those aren't much help. It will get easier as she gets older and more independent.
DH and I have similar thoughts about the digital zombies. We really don't want to go down that path. We are hopeful that we can raise M to respectfully interact with adults in a dinner situation.
3 years TTC, 15 cycles w/ RE(med & med/IUI), one angel 2/2012, and a cycle break rainbow 8/2013 born at 32w2d.
Severe Pre-E, HFpEF, PE, AMA & IF= OAD not by choice
Our little rainbow is finally walking at 20 months! w/ hypotonia, developmental dyspraxia, and SPD
I have never had luck with booster seats or high chairs. We usually go to family restaurants that have booths and divide and conquer. DH takes "The Big" and I take "The Little" and sometimes we swap them or sometimes one of us ends up with both for a few minutes. We encourage sitting down, using silverware, etc. but also let them have fun. If one of them acts up we yank them and go outside if they can't be quieted quickly and come back when they are calm. We have found asking for a side bowl of fruit or celery sticks right at the beginning works wonders. We have had a few people tell us they were great and a few people give us some side eye. It is funny how weird some people are if a kid makes any noise in a restaurant while others wouldn't care if you changed them on their table. (I so would not do that.)
Our worst moment was at a giant family breakfast. DD1 had a meltdown. I just took her to the car and sat out there with her until she calmed and then brought her back in and she was an angel. She is insane.
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