Motherhood 8 years ago

7 Tips on Eating Out With a Toddler

PIN IT
PIN IT
PIN IT
PIN IT
PIN IT
PIN IT

When Chloe was an infant I never understood why parents made such a big deal about eating out with their toddlers. But now that Chloe is finally a toddler, I totally sympathize and understand why parents would much rather eat at home than a true restaurant. It took us one bad experience (think tantrums, food tossing, cup spilling, and horrible stare downs from everyone around us) for us to avoid restaurants like the plague. But ever since that experience we’ve been implementing better table manners at home, which has been extremely beneficial for both eating at home and eating out in public.

1. Practice at Home: 

Table manners start from your very own dinner table. Like I said before it only took one bad experience for Allen and I to avoid eating out. We realized we couldn’t avoid restaurants forever so we decided to start practicing table manners at home. Keep in mind they are still toddlers and your expectations have to be realistic. Before we started implementing these table rules Chloe would only be able to sit in her high chair for 5-7 minutes before throwing a huge fit. The first day we did this Chloe was so upset she started banging her head on the table and crying her eyes out. We decided not to attend to her immediately (like we normally would), and once she was able to compose herself we rewarded her with her favorite thing ever … a sticker! We’ve been practicing this for the past month and she has significantly improved. She is now able to sit in a high chair for about 30-45 mins when we eat out. Of course, every child is different and you can’t expect them to act like grown adults, but you should always reward and recognize them for their improvements!

2. Rewards:

Chloe has a major obsession with shiny stickers, she will do just about anything to get one. Now your little one may not be obsessed with stickers but find out what makes him/her tick. Once you find out what it is you should guard it with your life and use it as a “reward” or incentive. I keep a stash of stickers with me wherever I go! My car’s glove compartment, in the office, my purse, anywhere! These “reward” items are, as horrible as it might sound, also great bribing tools. I used stickers to get Chloe to get her to brush her teeth too!

3. Get the Corner Table:

The corner table is ALWAYS the best seat in the house when you’re dining out with your little ones. They will have more breathing room and room to roam around if needed without bothering your neighbors.

4. Research the Restaurant:

I would stick to restaurants that have more of a casual and kid-friendly environment. You can usually quickly find out if they are kid friendly by asking them if they have any high chairs available. Or you could always check Yelp! It’s also a good idea to look into the menu beforehand to see what dishes are available for your child. For instance, if there is a place that has chicken and noodles, I know for a fact that will buy us an extra 20 mins at the restaurant because Chloe LOVES her noodles.

5. Bust Out Those Unexpected Toys & Tricks:

In the back of my car, I have a box of toys that Chloe has never seen or rarely gets to play with. For instance, I brought back this balloon from a friends birthday party knowing that I could totally use it to entertain Chloe. When I busted it out you should’ve seen the excitement on her face! It kept her entertained while waiting for our meal and after she was done. Of course, a balloon may not be realistic at all times and at all places but it can really be anything! Whether it be a balloon or a pack of crayons … try to get creative with the things you pack for your little one.

6. Change of Scenery:

If he/she seems to get fussy in the middle of dinner immediately get up and take him/her to a different area. Sometimes a breath of fresh air or a change of scenery is just what they need.

7. Parents Should Eat First:

I know that there are some parents who prefer to eat before their kids and there really is no right or wrong answer to this, but this is simply what has worked for us. Allen and I usually start on our meals before Chloe because this will buy us more time at the end with her. There are a few things that happen when mommy and daddy eat first. All of a sudden your little one will want what you have and want to do what you’re doing. Whenever we do this more often than not Chloe will want to join the fun and start eating with us. And since we started eating first we usually finish before her, and this allows us to enjoy our dinner way more than being rushed! Of course, it doesn’t always pan out this way, but when it does … it’s amazing!

Eating out with your little ones can be challenging, but once you figure out a system it becomes much more enjoyable! Of course, you can always give them your phone or iPad (I’m guilty of this), but we don’t want to rely on it so much. It takes away the purpose of eating out together as a family and making memories together. I hope that some of these tips have helped and have encouraged you to try something new with your little one the next time you eat out! If you guys have any tips on eating out with a child please leave a comment and let me know!

Thanks so much and don’t forget to read my article on traveling with a toddler HERE!

PS: Here’s a comprehensive list of the items I ALWAYS have with me when eating out with Chloe!

PIN IT

1. Hand Sanitizer

2. Snack Catcher

3. OXO Tot Bib

4. HighChair Pad

5. Feeding Mat

6. Sippy Cup

7. Baby Wipes

Credits:

Photography by Jana Williams