6 Tips for Surviving Restaurants with Toddlers
When my youngest was around 3months old, she had a freak-out while we were dining in a restaurant. We’re talking full-on tantrum in which no pacifier, bottle or level of consoling could settle her in the slightest. This started a 3-month long span of repetitive behaviour anytime we dined out, and as a mom who truly believes that other guests are there to enjoy their experience and crying babies should be removed from the situation, it meant that I spent a majority of get-togethers, casual dinners and family birthday outings literally outside of the restaurant, hungry and aimlessly trying to settle my daughter, or at least get far enough away from the situation where no one could hear her. I felt a ton of embarassment in these situations. I’m an over-packer, and no matter how much I had packed for her and prepared for the looming scenerio, it was hopeless. Until one evening, around her 6 month milestone, everything just clicked for her. The overstimulation had somehow subsided and it was as if overnight, comfort prevailed. Fast forward to a year later, with two toddlers at the table. Is this stage any easier? No. But this time, I’m ready for it, and I’m eating my meal in peace.
If you think I’m going to sit here and tell you that I’m surviving without screen time, you’re reading the wrong blog. My kids are generally well-behaved, but I’m not about to raw-dog a public restaurant without an iPad. That’s just not how our family operates, and all the power to ya if that works for you. Our strategy isn’t about if we’re taking out the tablet, it’s all about when. Here are 6 Tips I follow religiously when I take my toddlers to a restaurant.
Check the menu beforehand (and prepare as if you didn’t)
Know the seating situation. I had my babies post-covid, so you know I expect them to get sick from everything they touch. I prefer to bring my own booster seats, which puts me at ease about germs, but it’s not always possible depending on the restaurant. Call ahead and find out what you can expect for the seating space. Knowledge is power and it’s literally just another thing off your list.
Get organized quickly. For myself, it’s not just cutlery and wine glasses, its salt and pepper shakers, ceramic bread plates and anything in arms reach that I don’t want to deal with. The ‘kids end’ of the table is a real thing, and I like to make sure everything is removed from their area before I seat them. You already know I don’t want them touching the table and sticking their hands in their mouths. These disposable placemats are genius. clear the area, stick them down and you’re good to go. Throw a few crayons in the mix and they’re already keeping busy while you can look over the appetizers.
On that note, order your kids meals to come with the appetizers, or if you’ve prepared like I suggested, as soon as the drink order is taken. Restaurants are generally great about bringing kids meals out as soon as they can, so you can get them fed before you feed yourself.
This next point was definitely a learning experience for me, but when it comes to packing toys - the bigger and fewer, the better. I used to think I needed to have a variety of toys so that the kids could constantly be stimulated, and in order to ake more, I was also packing smaller. Unless you want to be picking up happy-meal size toys off the floor every 20 seconds, I highly suggest to avoid this. 1-2 larger toys such as magnetic drawing boards or a water marker colouring book should keep your kiddos hands busy enough. I like to keep my ‘restaurant toys’ seperated from their regular toys at home, so it makes them more special and they show more interest when they’re surprised with them.
Strategize your screen time. Yep, you heard it right. That iPad turns on RIGHT before I take the first bite of my meal and not a minute sooner. I like to have something lined up for them that’s visually stimulating with literary learning so that the volume isn’t necessary (think colours and shapes rather than a sing-a-long) so not to disturb anyone at our table or surrounding tables. We’re solving two problems here: I get to eat in peace, and my kids aren’t in front of the screen for more time than they need to be, they also haven’t gotten bored of it already from turning it on too early. Win-win for everyone.
There you have it. For our family, the restaurant, location, set-up will always change, but we will continue to follow the 6 Tips above. We like to err on the side of ‘playing it safe’ and we like to set realistic expectations. We know what our kids will like to eat and what they won’t, and we choose not to take this as an opportunity to introduce new foods (although they are more than welcome to try things off of our plates, we may find a new favourite for next time!). For us, it’s all about leaving the meal looking forward to the next one as a family.
Honourable mention tips include:
- Checking for lost shoes or toys under the table before you go
- Timing your meal so you don’t have to push naps or bedtime
- Dessert is for special occasions only (also, prepare to be up to 11pm if you’re having cake and ice cream way too late in the evening)
