Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

At 19 months is when we stopped going out to dinner.

We didn't really enjoy it because that's when the terrible twos started. We only went to family places & were prepared to take them outside to walk around if they got antsy.

We also put a children's order in as soon as we get there.

As they got older (2-3 years old), we would engage them in dinner conversation -whether it was naming things around them, reading a book or counting chairs at tables, etc. I'm not a fan of having them occupy their own time since dinner is usually our time to interact with them. Also it doesn't last long.

Now we can take them to any restaurant.

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

does your DD like to dip?

That' my secret...chips in the salsa...chips in the guacamole. Keeps him busy

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

We take DD out to eat a lot- mostly breakfast on Sat mornings and occasional dinner at our favorite pasta place. In fact we are having dinner with her "best friend" from day care tomorrow and his parents.

Here is what we do and she is REALLY active. This stuff tends to work.

First- pick a place you know is child friendly- really friendly- we have this one breakfast place that is filled with kids and this pasta place that caters to children. They bring her dinner RIGHT after we order it so she has something to do immediately. It must be a restaurant with fast service or forget it.

Go when they are hungry. Forget it if DD has eaten already- she is not interested.

Ice seems to work wonders. She likes to chew on it and other than getting her wet, doesn't make a big mess. I ask for a big glass when dinner starts- it the chunks are big- I just put some water in the glass to melt it down.

Plastic utensils that she can bang on the table are helpful too and don't make too much noise.

If all else fails, DH and I take turns finishing our dinner and take DD outside. I refuse to ruin dinner for others.

Hope that helps!

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

We take 26-month old DS out 2 or 3 times a month... between breakfast at Friendly's or dinner at a family-friendly type place (the type of place that brings crayons with the menus, lol). Even at the mall, I will go to Starbucks, order coffee ("mommy juice" according to DS!) and share a piece of cake with DS, with both us of us sitting at their little cafe table together.

For me, the keys are:

- Make sure he was running around playing beforehand, in other words NOT full of pent-up energy.

- Start drawing with him with the crayons as soon as they arrive. DS is going to be shocked one day when he learns not all restaurants have crayons, lol.

- Make sure he's hungry. DS is a good eater, so I don't bother bringing food. I either get a kid's meal or if the place serves huge adult portions I order something for myself that I think he'd enjoy sharing with me. Once he's got food, he'll sit and eat happily, not go crazy.

- Let him sit in the booth or in a chair if he's big enough. DS is very tall for his age so doesn't need a booster. I find he actually behaves better at the table with us rather than in a high chair. I think he likes being like the grownups, you know?

It's actually fun to have him right at the table with us now, it's really more "family-ish" of an experience than ever. For me it just would not work having him focusing on a DVD (although I totally get the logic behind using it... much better to use that than to have a total scene at the restaurant!). I like when the 3 of us are just being a family at the table, interacting and having a good time.

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

my best friend works for a restaurant and she sees alot of people bringing in portable dvd players for their kids. once they sit down they pop in a movie and it will hold their attention for a while so they can make it through dinner. oh and they bring a headset too, that way only the child can hear it.

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

DS is 22 mos and we have always taken him to restaurants, he has always been really good, except one time. ( he was tired and had been out to breakfast that day also, i have never done that again) I try to make sure he did a lot of running around that day, I have plenty of toys and crayons and we go around his meal time. Mostly he is just so nosie he just wants to sit in the high chair and people watch. I really never let him run around the restaurant. 1 - its dangerous and 2 - i don't want him to associate restaurant with running around. Getting out of the high chair is just not an option, unless someone is done eating and wants to take him outside.

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

Overall Nikolas is pretty good when we eat out..and we have been taking him out since he was a little guy..

IT was much easier when he was little, though..

As the others have said, we try to go when he wants to eat too since that totally keeps him occupied. As long as he's stuffing his face he's content. But if he's not hungry he'll lose it since he wants to really just run around all the time..even toys or other distractions won't really work

But honestly, it's a crap shoot for us. Sometimes we can plan all we want and he won't sit still for 5 minutes.. other times he will sit for hours. For ex, we took him to a birthday party/dinner for my FIL a few weeks ago and he was an ANGEL ... sat in his seat for HOURS and ate like a champ, played with his toys, laughed, etc. I was stunned to be honest. Meanwhile other days we can try to catch a quick bite at Friday's or somewhere and within minutes he's throwing a tantrum and we're outta there..

So really, I have no advice other than it's good to keep trying and get them used to it.. sometimes they surprise you

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

We have been taking Megan out to eat since she was a few weeks old. Although I admit to it being easier when she was a baby, shes usually pretty good now too.

Bread is our trick since my daughter eats nothing. So we give her bread and she eats it for a long time. I have a little restaurant bag for her..filled with, crayons, paper, small books, stickers, mini books to put the stickers in and snacks. She usually stares at everyone and only once about a month ago upstate did I have to take her out. And that was only because she threw a tantrum because I was trying to get her to eat and she pushed her plate away because she hates food. When I told her no, she freaked. She has no problem sitting in the high chair unless they take an unusually long time serving us. Now since the weather is nice, we go to a lot of places where we eat outside. Its better for her, she gets fresh air, can sit in her stroller and she seems to enjoy it more. I would die if I couldnt have my meals out!

ETA...that backpack is ONLY for when we go out to eat. Other than that, she never sees or plays with those toys, this way they stay new to her.

Message edited 5/28/2008 3:07:31 PM.

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

Re: How do I take a Toddler out to dinner and actually enjoy it?

Oh you are so not alone I thought the earlier I started bringing him the better-so NOT!!!!! He is a terror and I find I can never truly enjoy myself. Even if he is being temporarily good (and I mean temporary) I sit on the edge of my seat waiting for the action to start-LOL
I guess that is what a toddler does. I try to tell myself this on a daily basis but let me tell you I hate the terrible 2's and I am not so sure it will end at the 2's!!