Re: Eating out - I have one of those toddlers that I always hated when I didn't have kids

I think it's just the age to explore. We love to eat out and take Chloe a lot. She goes through stages. In the beginning she wasn't great. Once table food and books kept her busy we were on a good run for a while. Now, at 23 months, she is good for about 15 minutes and then wants to go - run around and explore. Im hoping that this too is a stage. I will say, the last time we were out we taught her how to put a napkin on her lap and she remembers! haha.

Re: Eating out - I have one of those toddlers that I always hated when I didn't have kids

DS is 3, and I don't know, maybe he's slightly better, but not much to be honest. We took him out fairly often when he was younger also, but I think it's the age.

We try to go to family friendly places where the meals don't take that long to prepare. Mostly for the latter reason--we'd like to eat at better places, but faster does go better. And we try to go early as someone else suggested. If there is a seat where he can watch a lot (people coming in and out, waiters going by, etc.) that's good too--it tends to keep him entertained.

He doesn't pay attention to books, crayons, etc. when we're out. I think he wants to look around, and when he's ready to go, he wants to go!

Hope it gets better!

Re: Eating out - I have one of those toddlers that I always hated when I didn't have kids

Oohh we definitley went through this at that age. I think I even posted about it.
We didn't go out for a bit and then slowly eased DS back into it.

Now, he's almost 4 and loves eating "Out in a building" LOL.

Re: Eating out - I have one of those toddlers that I always hated when I didn't have kids

He might not be ready. He is really young.

We went out when DS was young and he would fall asleep in his stroller but as a toddler we just had to stop going out with him. DH is 3.5 yo now and I waiting a LONG TIME to go out with DS again. Like when he turned 3 yo. And we only go to Friendly's with him.

He is still learning how to behave. Mostly about not talking loud. So we are using a "family friendly" type restaurant to teach him that we do sit down, we don't talk loud.

I would not push it until he is a bit older.

My parents never took us out that young to go to fancy restaurants.

Re: Eating out - I have one of those toddlers that I always hated when I didn't have kids

It's the age.

My only advice is to go to places that are more kid friendly. I won't say it will pass. But it should get better. And try to bring entertainment.

Re: Eating out - I have one of those toddlers that I always hated when I didn't have kids

I have to bring a bag full of goodies....crayons, coloring books, books, playdoh, and I always have my portable DVD player w/Blues Clues on hand for back up!!

Re: Eating out - I have one of those toddlers that I always hated when I didn't have kids

Re: Eating out - I have one of those toddlers that I always hated when I didn't have kids

I'm a firm believer of it won't get better unless you continue to take him out. Try putting him in the high chair or next to you and each time try for a little longer.

I am blessed to have 3 DD's that for the most part are pretty good in the restaurants. But we've been taking them out pretty much since they were a few weeks old. With my older DD i was a single mom so i didnt have the option of leaving DD home with someone, and with the 2 LO's me and my DH didn't think twice about bringing them out with out.

My nephew was a terror in the restaurants and my SIL refused to take him out. We used to pick him up and bring him out with us sometimes or have her meet us out at the restaurant. I think the more we saw him in the restaurant, the better he got.

Don't get me wrong, my DD's still throw the occassional temper tantrum in the restaurant(in fact she did that just the other day) but that i attribute it to being over tired and over stimulated.

I would try taking him out when he's not too tired or hyped up and go someplace where you know it's quick service and work your way into it. Regardless it will get better with age.

Re: Eating out - I have one of those toddlers that I always hated when I didn't have kids

Posted by nrthshgrl

It's because he's 21 months & can't sit for a long period of time.

Take him outside, walk him around. There's a reason why they created restaurants geared toward children & 2 year olds are the reason.

Message edited 12/31/2010 8:08:56 AM.