I think as parents we sometimes tend to choose eating in than eating out, simply because we do not want to deal with the stress that comes with eating out with our kids. You know what I mean, our kids throwing tantrums, not wanting to eat the food, being too loud and just point blank not behaving. All these things do happen sometimes but it shouldn’t be a factor for us not to ever take our kids out to eat. You have to plan ahead and do what works for you and your kids. Maybe take them out after their nap or give them a snack before going to a restaurant. Simple tips like this will help you have a less stressful outing and you will actually enjoy it.
Toddlers can be unpredictable, we all know that and that’s why I’m sharing with you 10 helpful tips for eating out with your toddler. These tips are super simple to follow and will help you figure out what to take and what to do in order to not loose your cool. You know your toddler more than anyone else and you know when they start to get cranky, hungry and sleepy. Figure out what time works best for your family to go out and eat.
Just because we are moms doesn’t mean we need to stop doing things that we love, like going out to a good restaurant and enjoying the atmosphere and food. Yes, kids can make it a little difficult at times to enjoy but it’s not impossible. I love going out to eat with my family and I have to tell you that having twin toddlers can sometimes feel like my hubby and I brought a zoo to the restaurant. You know what? It’s okay because you live and you learn, these tips I’m sharing with you today definitely has helped my family have a good time eating out and I hope yours will too!
10 helpful tips for eating out with your toddler
- Have a plan
You always need a plan for basically everything now a days and I myself take it very seriously. I am a firm believer that if you plan things you will be less stress and will be effective in doing other things. So have a plan when you go out to a restaurant with your toddler. Know already what you will give them if they start to cry, if they throw tantrums and if they are being too loud. What will you do? will you leave the restaurant if your toddler is not behaving or will you stay and try to calm them down. Just have a plan because that way you will not be stressing over what to do in any given situation.
2. Take toys
When traveling anywhere with your toddlers or your kids in general you need something to entertain them with. Let’s face it going to a restaurant and waiting on the server to serve food or ask what you will like on the menu is not fun for your children. I usually bring about four different small toys for my twins to play with, bringing big toys is not a good idea because there is no space for it in your car, baby bag and specially in a restaurant. Having toys for your toddlers is a guarantee way that they will be entertained for a decent amount of time in which you can smile and order your much needed food.
3. Take food or snacks
Even though you will be going to a restaurant to eat with your family, you just never know if your toddler will like the food you order. Just to be on the safe side take at least their favorite snacks if you do not want to take their regular food. Taking snacks will get their tummy full and you will have some happy children at the restaurant. Also having snacks is another distraction that they will have to leave you alone and let you eat in peace. As long as they are eating and they are happy, you will be happy and eating as well.
4. Take milk
If your toddler still drinks milk from a bottle or a sippie cup please take it to the restaurant. My toddlers are one years old and they drink their milk from a bottle still, I always make sure I have enough milk for them. As we know they love milk and they would drink milk any time any where so why add on stress by not taking it. Best bet is that they get cranky at the restaurant and you just hand them their bottles of milk and they fall asleep. This could happen believe me it has happened to me and my hubby and get too happy for you to even imagine. You can also take their favorite juice if they do not drink milk a lot, just make sure you take something that they really enjoy because restaurants do not always have the juice preference your toddler likes.
5. Choose your restaurant accordingly
There are many kid friendly restaurants out there, so do not make the mistake of taking your children to a very fancy or “adult” like restaurant. Save yourself an embarrassment and hassle of running out of the restaurant. Choosing a family friendly restaurant is really the way to go, for obvious reasons like you do not have to tell your child every 5 seconds to lower his/her voice because the couple at the other table is annoyed. Toddlers can be unpredictable one minute they are laughing and eating the other minute they might be sleepy and crying uncontrollably. You can feel at ease that you can solve this problem staying there and not feeling pressured to leave. I personally think the kind of restaurant you choose will determine your mood and outcome when your toddler is not behaving accordingly.
6. Share your food
Sharing your food with your child is a great way to bond and have them behaving. When children are hungry they cry and even throw tantrums but when they are being fed they are just cute little munchkins waiting patiently for their next spoon. Now I know you brought snacks because you listened to me and did step 3 of my tips but you can still feed your child the food you order or you can even order their own separate kids meal (if you know they will eat it all). This will take care of any tantrums they might throw and they will be quiet eating their food. I share my food with my twins because I know they are paying full attention to me and they actually sit quietly eating and playing with their toys. It is a win win situation.
7. Be a team
You and your hubby need to be on the same page here. If your toddler is not behaving or is embarrassing you then you both have to make a decision on what to do. There should be no attitude or getting loud at each other. Let’s avoid this please it will only add more stress to the stressful situation, simply decide who will do what and work as a team to enjoy your dinner as a family.
8. Ask for a different table
This may sound weird to you or maybe not but if you do not feel comfortable at the table where the server sat you in then simply ask to change it. You might want to change tables if there is a lot of people in that area, if there is loud music and if you simply feel more comfortable sitting at the end side of the restaurant. You know your child better then anyone so if you feel is right sitting at the back of the restaurant because is simply quieter and less people around then go for it. If you know your child might be cranky because he/she just woke up then simply ask for a table where you know you can deal with your child and where you can feel comfortable disciplining them.
9. Do not be embarrass
This is a difficult one I know, as mothers we get embarrass about almost everything our children do. For example, if they are crying, being loud, not listening to you or throwing tantrums. The minute you feel embarrassed in the restaurant that is the moment everything begins to go down hill. You are going to be nervous and any little thing your toddler does you will get mad because you do not want people to talk or look at you in disgust. Do not worry about others only worry about you and your family. You do what you have to do to make your outing enjoyable.
10. Enjoy the outing
Enjoy your time with your family. I know that this occasion sometimes does not happen as often as we would like for numerous of reasons. I think we rather go to the park with them then go to a restaurant. Children are children and they are going to act like one and we are going to embrace it. Family is the most precious thing we have and to spend quality time with them is very valuable.
*This post was originally published in 2014, I updated the picture and slightly updated content*
Do you have more tips to add to the list?
*Spanish*
Mis 10 Tips para salir a comer con tus ninos
Creo que como padres a veces tendemos en elegir comer adentro en casa que comer fuera, simplemente porque no queremos lidiar con el estrés que viene con comer fuera con nuestros hijos. Ya sabes lo que quiero decir, nuestros hijos tiran berrinches, no quieren comer la comida, son demasiado ruidoso y justo punto en blanco no se comportan bien. Todas estas cosas suceden a veces pero no debe ser un factor para que no llevemos nunca a nuestros hijos a comer afuera. Tienes que planificar con antelación y hacer lo que funciona para usted y sus hijos. Tal vez sacarlos después de su siesta o darles un aperitivo antes de ir a un restaurante. Consejos simples como este le ayudará a tener una excursión menos estresante y en realidad lo disfrutarás.
Los niños pequeños pueden ser impredecibles, todos sabemos eso y es por eso que estoy compartiendo con usted 10 consejos útiles para comer fuera con su niño pequeño. Estos consejos son super simples de seguir y le ayudará a averiguar qué tomar y qué hacer para no perder su cabeza. Usted conoce a su niño más que nadie y usted sabe cuando empiezan a estar irritable, hambriento y con sueño. Averigüe qué hora funciona mejor para que su familia salga y coma.
Sólo porque somos mamás no significa que debemos dejar de hacer cosas que nos encantan, como ir a un buen restaurante y disfrutar del ambiente y la comida. Sí, los niños pueden hacer un poco difícil para disfrutar, pero no es imposible. Me encanta salir a comer con mi familia y tengo que decir que tener niños mellizos pequeños a veces se siente como que mi marido y yo trajimos un zologico al restaurante. Está bien porque usted vive y aprende, estos consejos que estoy compartiendo con usted hoy definitivamente ha ayudado a mi familia a pasar un buen rato a comer fuera y espero que el suyo también!
1. Tengan un plan
Siempre se necesita un plan para básicamente todo ahora en día y yo misma lo toma muy en serio . Yo soy una firme creyente de que si usted planea las cosas usted será menos estrésada y usted puede en hacer otras cosas mas efectivo . Así que tienes que hacer un plan cuando vas a un restaurante con su hijo pequeño . Usted tiene que saber ya lo que usted les dará si empiezan a llorar , si ellos hacen berrinches y si están siendo demasiado ruidosos . Qué vas a hacer ? vas a dejar el restaurante si su niño no se comporta o va a quedarse y tratar de calmarlos . Simplemente haga un plan de esa forma usted no se va a estresas de que hacer en cualquier situacion.
2. Lleve jugetes
Al viajar a cualquier lugar con sus niños o sus hijos , en general, se necesita algo para entretenerlos . Seamos realistas ir a un restaurante y esperando en el servidor para servir comida o preguntarlo que te guste en el menú no es divertido para sus hijos. Normalmente me traigo unos cuatro diferentes juguetes pequeños para mis mellizos para que ellos puedan jugar y entretenerse. Traer juguetes grandes no es una buena idea porque no hay espacio para él en su coche , bolso del bebé y especialmente el restaurante . Tener juguetes para sus niños pequeños es una garantía de que serán entretenido al menos por alguna buena cantidad de tiempo que usted puede descansar y sonreir un poco.
3. Lleve comida o aperitivos
A pesar de que usted va a un restaurante para comer con su familia , nunca se sabe si su niño le va a gustar la comida que usted ordene. Sólo para estar en el lado seguro tome al menos sus bocadillos favoritos de sus ninos si no desea tomar su comida regular. Al comer aperitivos los ninos tendrán su estómago lleno y va a tener algunos niños felices en el restaurant. También tener bocadillos es otra distracción para sus ninos pequenos y tambien lo van a dejar en paz a ustedes y asi pueden comer tranquilos . Mientras están comiendo y están felices , usted será feliz y estaran comiendo como en las peliculas.
4. Lleve leche
Si su niño aún toma leche de un biberón o una taza Sippie por favor llevarlo al restaurante. Mis niños tienen un año de edad y beben su leche de un biberon aún , siempre me aseguro de que tengo suficiente leche para ellos . Como sabemos que les encanta la leche y beben leche en cualquier momento y en cualquier lugar ¿por qué añadir al el estrés por no llevarlo al restaurante. La mejor opción es que se ponen de mal humor en el restaurante y que sólo les entregan sus botellas de leche y ¿adivinen qué ? simplemente se quedan dormidos . Esto podría suceder créanme que me ha pasado y mi marido y yo estábamos demasiado feliz para su imaginación. También puede tomar su jugo favorito si no beben leche mucho sólo asegúrese de que tienen una bebida que realmente sus ninoz disfruten para llever al restaurante , porque no siempre tienen la preferencia de sus ninos.
5. Escoja el restaurant apropiado
7. Tienen que ser un equipo
Usted y su esposo / novio tiene que estar en la misma página aquí . Si tu hijo no se comporta o es vergonzoso ambos tienen que tomar una decisión sobre qué hacer . No debería haber ninguna actitud o hablarse en voz alta el uno al otro . Evitemos de esto, por favor , sólo va a añadir más estrés a la situación estresante , simplemente decida quién hará qué y el trabajo en equipo para disfrutar de su cena en familia.
8. Pregunte por otra mesa
Esto puede sonar extraño para usted o tal vez no , pero si usted no se siente cómodo en la mesa donde el servidor lo sentó entonces pregúntale si se puede cambiarlo. Es posible que desee cambiar de mesa si hay un montón de gente en esa zona , si hay música fuerte y si simplemente se siente más cómodo sentado en el lado extremo del restaurante . Usted conoce a su hijo mejor que nadie lo que si usted siente que es correcto que se sienta en la parte trasera del restaurante , porque es el lugar simplemente más tranquilo y menos persona entonces continue . Si usted sabe que su hijo podría estar de mal humor porque él / ella acaba de despertar luego simplemente pida una mesa en la que sabe que puede lidiar con su hijo y donde se puede sentir cómodo disciplinarlos .
9. No te a verguenzes
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