https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 03:35:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318376 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 19:23:53 +0000 yin 1318376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Around 18 months it became enjoyable to bring LO to eat at a restaurant. He can be very patient and loves playing with simple things like stacking jam containers. The major downside for me is that I still have to pack him a meal. Many restaurants are unable to accommodate for his allergies (dairy, egg, and peanut). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318369 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 19:18:15 +0000 bpcmarj 1318369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lately it has been pretty good! We bring small toys and make sure she gets something she likes to eat and a good amount of apple juice :) We have gone out a lot in the last few weeks and she hasn't thrown any fits. I think she gets that it is special now. She'll be 20 months this week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318366 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 19:14:47 +0000 chopsuey 1318366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As long as there's food for them to eat--yes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318279 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 18:01:41 +0000 betsyboop 1318279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, she eats more when we're at restaurants than when we're at home! We went out for Thanksgiving dinner and she sat in her chair for 2 hours without crying and really enjoyed herself! We were shocked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318273 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:57:25 +0000 prettylizy 1318273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes but it's all about strategy for us. We tend to pick chain restaurants these days because they usually have high chairs easily accessible and crayons for her to colour with. Plus they tend to be quick with her food. We make sure to pack snacks, crayons and some paper and order her food within minutes of sitting down. She'll colour and eat cheerios until her meal comes, then we have time to eat ours, she picks at her and then colours some more while we finish. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318272 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:54:56 +0000 illumina 1318272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not really. It's ok until she gets tired and then won't settle unless she's being worn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318261 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:47:13 +0000 boots 1318261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! DD is 9 months, and she is a ton of fun when we go out to eat. Her and I share a meal, and she's generally pretty laid back. There is going back and forth between laps and the high chair, but it's still enjoyable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318229 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:36:08 +0000 littlek 1318229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, he is great at restaurants. He loves flirting with the waitresses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318213 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:28:45 +0000 GrapeCrush 1318213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. It's tolerable if DS(20 months) has a steady stream of food going into his face and DD(5 months) is napping. Otherwise, not a chance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318205 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:25:56 +0000 keiki_mama 1318205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope--it was fine to eat with him at a restaurant until about 16 months. He wants to walk around and explore now. Not even food will keep him in his seat. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318173 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:09:32 +0000 Dandelion 1318173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep...but he's 6 and knows better. I hope we'll be able to bring LO around with us when we go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318160 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:01:21 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1318160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: Glad to see I'm not the only one with that problem ... :-/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318158 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:59:48 +0000 MrsStormy 1318158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She has been great everytime except our most recent dinner out which just happened to be Hubs' birthday with all of our friends, and she was a disaster, I basically had to keep her on the boob the ENTIRE time and then she screamed the whole drive home. I haven't tried since :-( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318137 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:48:12 +0000 avivoca 1318137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Only if she's napping. She hates to be in her carseat if she isn't moving. Part of it is that we get the stroller stink-eye every time we take her somewhere. We aren't even at fancy restaurants, I think the fanciest is Panera and someone always gives us the stink-eye. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1318100 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:21:56 +0000 winniebee 1318100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally depends on the day and whether he has had a good nap. We've had awesome meals out but also terrible ones. He's 19.5 mos </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317976 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:19:14 +0000 Alivoo01 1317976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 5 months and will sit in my lap while we eat, thankfully. Once in awhile he'll get antsy and want to stand up, so I let him stretch out a bit then make him sit back down. He's fine with it. I'm crossing all my fingers his chill behavior continues forever and ever. haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317973 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:18:07 +0000 PinkElephant 1317973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, as long as she's hungry and is being permitted to eat what we are eating, she's a happy camper for a good 30 mins in a high chair or seated next to us. Once she's full though, someone needs to be willing to wander with her a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317972 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:18:05 +0000 Bookish 1317972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, at this age she's a ton of fun. She's big enough to sit in the high chairs now and she loves just looking around at everyone and playing with cups. She tolerated a 2- hour dinner with my family over Xmas and it was so great!! I give it like, 3 months before it gets crazy again ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317971 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:17:38 +0000 lovehoneybee 1317971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sometimes. Definitely if we're out with other people (most often my ILs). We often have brunch or lunch together at the same place, and all of the waitresses know and dote on him (we've been going in since I was in my third trimester), and he hams it up. </p> <p>It's harder when he's close to a nap/bedtime. We'll take turns walking outside with him if he starts to get cranky. That usually resets him. And we always ask for something for him to eat right away...crackers or a roll, or I pull out a snack from the diaper bag. He's almost always content as long as there's food in front of him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317970 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:17:28 +0000 brownie 1317970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Only had problems in the first few months when he screamed anyway. At 2 1/2 he is great. Though we have pretty relaxed requirements. He isn't allowed to run around the restaurant but he is allowed to stand and move on the bench. He is allowed to talk and play as long as he isn't bugging other people (i.e. Pulling their hair or throwing things at them). We always ask for his food first so he has something to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317960 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:13:03 +0000 MapleMoose 1317960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not yet. She's 2 months and crazy active and wants to go go go (in our arms or the carrier), only naps for 20 minutes at a time, and hates being in the carseat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317955 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:11:10 +0000 pelikila 1317955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, thankfully. C is a generally patient kid that is happy to people watch, eat, etc. Once we potty trained him though we can always expect one to two bathroom breaks because he figured out it gets him out of his chair and gives him some one-on-one time with each of us (dad does one potty break, mom does one potty break). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317951 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:09:44 +0000 Mommy Finger 1317951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not at the moment. DS isn't that much of an eater sometimes b/c he gets too distracted by everything else that is going on around him. Usually things end up on the floor. I just try to shovel in as much food as I can before we all freak out and go home. Not always the best experience but we are going to continue to do it so that hopefully he gets better in restaurants! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317941 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:07:45 +0000 Andrea 1317941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, we love eating out with the girls! They both like to eat so it's never a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317925 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 15:04:25 +0000 Greentea 1317925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hell no! I can't enjoy one anywhere anymore :( but no way. Have not been to a restaurant in a very long time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317896 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:55:19 +0000 LuLu Mom 1317896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We can as long as there is food in front of her, otherwise she wants down and it gets a litle stressful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317891 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:54:15 +0000 cascademom 1317891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's generally a good experience with him as long as he's not close to a nap or out too long. He's pretty sociable and likes to talk to other people around him. He's been known to make friends with people we sit next to, so it makes it easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317861 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:46:27 +0000 Freckles 1317861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup, it's so much fun! As long as she's eating food she likes she can stay in her seat for 45 minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317860 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:46:07 +0000 MamaMoose 1317860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As long as she has food in front of her she's pretty good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-enjoy-a-meal-at-a-restaurant-w-your-lo#post-1317857 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:45:20 +0000 matador84 1317857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and enjoying it while it lasts! I just had an hour long lunch with a friend at CFA...but he does well in regular restaurants too! </p>