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In short, I’ll be featuring a new guest each week that will pose a question to the group. Then we will open it up to the moms in the playground {that’s you!} to offer tips, suggestions and experiences.
Remember, this isn’t a place to judge but to offer help and support!
This week we are shaking things up a bit! Priscilla @ The Wheelchair Mommy offers advice on taking your children out to eat and poses a question to the group;
This advice may not be for everyone, but if I can give new moms (and dads!) one piece of advice it would be to take your children out to eat. It seems silly but trust me. The best thing you can do for your continuing enjoyment is to start taking your little one as soon as it is safe to do so and to go as often as your budget allows (whatever you did before the baby). When you have a tiny baby it’s usually very easy to calm and quiet him. This will ensure that restaurants are not something new for them. New can be very bad as your baby gets older.
I do realize some babies are not as easy and may have inconsolable cries. But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a friend turn me down for lunch because she was afraid to take her child out. I’ve even been turned down because someone was scared to eat with MY child because of her experience with HER child. That really annoyed me.
I won’t tell you that my kids are perfect 100% of the time. That would be a lie, but I rarely hesitate to take my kids out to eat. There are times that they are in a “mood” and I won’t go, but that’s just common sense. We all have bad days.
This method has worked with both of my kids and I know other parents that have had similar success, so if you have a young child why not try it? It can’t hurt and you can prove all those people wrong that told you how drastically your life would change once your baby was born.
Do you have any advice to share on taking your kids out to eat? OR what other parenting warnings/myths have you managed to prove wrong?
Don’t forget to follow Priscilla on twitter; @WheelchairMommy and on Facebook.
Have a burning question or a topic you want to discuss? Want to be featured on Tips from the Playground? Email me at tina@lifewithoutpink.com.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
With so many little ones I only take my kids out to eat when I have woken up with an extreme amount of patience but, as far as taking them to a restaurant or to anywhere really, the most effective thing I have found is going over expectations before we get somewhere. Before we leave the car I talk about where we are going and how I expect them to behave. It works well and gives me things to reference back to when they are inside and trying to empty out all of the sugar packets!
Jessica´s last [type] ..Did I Say That
That’s great. I tell my kids what I expect but they don’t always listen
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..Virtual Wine Tasting My Experience
Yes. They need to know what you expect. I think that has helped us, too.
Priscilla-The Wheelchair Mommy´s last [type] ..Guesting at Life Without Pink
I totally agree with Priscilla. My kids have gone out to eat with us ever since they were each a week old. We have only once left a restaurant because of one of our children making a scene, and it wasn’t until we got home that we realized he was sick.
Start early. Go often. Eat much!
I agree the more you bring them out the better they get!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..Virtual Wine Tasting My Experience
Same here. hahah. The time or two we had to leave, it turned out someone was sick and we realized we had to leave b4 ever ordering.
Priscilla-The Wheelchair Mommy´s last [type] ..Guesting at Life Without Pink
My kids have been going out to eat since they were infants. We go through the stages that are more difficult (like right now, my youngest is almost 3 and more interested in climbing then eating) but we still go.
I think a big thing is to accept that they are still KIDS and don’t expect them to act like adults. You can expect them to behave but chances are good they’re going to climb under the table, drop a fork (or 3), laugh too loud or need to get up and use the restroom JUST as you are about to take your first bite. They’re kids, make going out to eat fun for them and the chances of them behaving and wanting to go again drastically go up.
It doesn’t hurt to have crayons, paper and hotwheels cars stashed in your purse, no matter how old they are
Great advice. I have to stop myself sometimes and think “they are only kids”…of course they are going to get bored and antsy! I also always bring a bag full of stuff, keeps them busy for awhile!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..Virtual Wine Tasting My Experience
yup. they will drop forks and talk loud. They do get in trouble (sorta, they are told it’s not ok and need to stop and they usually do..and if not daddy takes them outside and explains why they can’t do that) for crawling under the table, though. They have learn what is/and isn’t acceptable.
Priscilla-The Wheelchair Mommy´s last [type] ..Guesting at Life Without Pink
We’ve taken our kids out to eat ever since they were babies, too. Sometimes they have their days, but overall, they’re pretty well behaved. We stick to family friendly restaurants because we learned the hard way that fancy places aren’t for kids. We also let them take a small toy in with us. For example, my son can bring in a small car or 2. Sometimes they just don’t want to color the kids menu and this prevents them from getting all kinds of crazy.
Evonne´s last [type] ..Rain- Rain- Go Away!
Yes we only stick to kid friendly places…where they are usually used to crazy kids
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..Virtual Wine Tasting My Experience
We do tend to stick to family friendly (chilis, red lobster) but we aren’t afraid of “nicer” places like Kona Grill or PF Changs. The only place we have not taken them is Ruth’s Chris and that is because a steak cost $40 plus sides and they won’t eat enough of it to justify that much money.
Priscilla-The Wheelchair Mommy´s last [type] ..Guesting at Life Without Pink
I have been taking my kids out to eat since they were babies. My oldest was always very well behaved. My youngest is now a toddler and she is a pain in the butt in restaurants. We are thinking about ordering in for awhile. I would say though having something for the kids to play with and asking for their food to come out early is usually a good idea.
Jessica´s last [type] ..Grandma’s Birthday
EArly usually works but can backfire if the get it TOO soon before you get yours.
Priscilla-The Wheelchair Mommy´s last [type] ..Guesting at Life Without Pink
Great post! I’ve been out to eat with my son since he was 3 months old. He’s always been well behaved, people are amazed! He’s an energetic toddler now and still sits quietly in his highchair….I probably just jinxed myself!! LOL
Eve @Beautiful Spit Up´s last [type] ..Ease the Tension and Let It Go
LOL you probably just did!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..Virtual Wine Tasting My Experience
heheh. I hope not
Priscilla-The Wheelchair Mommy´s last [type] ..Guesting at Life Without Pink
We always took our pumpkins out to eat with us and they learned how to act in public because of it. When they were toddlers, we made sure there were plenty of distractions (books, crayons, snacks) if they started acting up.
Paula@Simply Sandwich´s last [type] ..Ear Plugs Plueeeze
I think that is the key. Always come prepared!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..Virtual Wine Tasting My Experience
yes. If a place doens’t offer colors we find a way to occupy
Priscilla-The Wheelchair Mommy´s last [type] ..Guesting at Life Without Pink
Now that my children are 3 and 6, we enjoy going out to eat with them. However, my son was not a good “restaurant baby”. We tried, believe me. He just could not sit still and keep the volume down. One of us would always end up eating alone while the other was outside with him.
Now? We LOVE going out with them…it’s fun and enjoyable. I think you have to judge your child’s temperament and see if it will work. Plus? We get there at 5pm…we’re the eary bird diners and this always works in our favor!!
I tried to say it’s not 100% fail proof
but at least they are awesome now so you are doing something right.
Priscilla-The Wheelchair Mommy´s last [type] ..Guesting at Life Without Pink
I featured Priscilla this week, too. Love her!!
MWUAH!! I love you too, Jill!!
Priscilla-The Wheelchair Mommy´s last [type] ..Guesting at Life Without Pink