We can't. It was easy when she was still on the bottle/boob, but now she can't sit still, or sit at all ("I walk!"). We end up way too stressed and frustrated by the time the food comes that we have to get it to go.
We can't. It was easy when she was still on the bottle/boob, but now she can't sit still, or sit at all ("I walk!"). We end up way too stressed and frustrated by the time the food comes that we have to get it to go.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
Yeah, I don't like going out to eat with my toddler anymore....
It isn't awful but I feel more comfortable at home!
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Right now, yes. A month or two ago she went through a stage where she only wanted to sit in my lap and eat off my plate. That was not fun. Now we just sit in a booth when possible and it's a lot better. She loves eating though.
papaya / 10560 posts
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!
honeydew / 7444 posts
Yup, it's so much fun! As long as she's eating food she likes she can stay in her seat for 45 minutes.
coconut / 8861 posts
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.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
We can as long as there is food in front of her, otherwise she wants down and it gets a litle stressful.
pomelo / 5678 posts
Hell no! I can't enjoy one anywhere anymore
but no way. Have not been to a restaurant in a very long time!
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
Yes, we love eating out with the girls! They both like to eat so it's never a problem.
pomegranate / 3272 posts
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!
pomegranate / 3008 posts
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).
grapefruit / 4213 posts
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.
grapefruit / 4110 posts
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.
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
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.
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.
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6581 posts
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
grapefruit / 4584 posts
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.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
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!
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
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
watermelon / 14467 posts
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.
clementine / 818 posts
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
GOLD / papaya / 10166 posts
@Greentea: Glad to see I'm not the only one with that problem ...
watermelon / 14206 posts
Yep...but he's 6 and knows better. I hope we'll be able to bring LO around with us when we go.
nectarine / 2504 posts
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.
grapefruit / 4823 posts
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!
GOLD / squash / 13576 posts
Yes, he is great at restaurants. He loves flirting with the waitresses.
apricot / 344 posts
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!
pomelo / 5469 posts
Not really. It's ok until she gets tired and then won't settle unless she's being worn.
GOLD / papaya / 10206 posts
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.
nectarine / 2886 posts
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.
pomegranate / 3729 posts
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.
honeydew / 7917 posts
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).
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
32 comments