When a child is born, many first-time parents worry about what life will be like for babies and toddlers. Of course, there are some things you can’t do anymore, but there are many things in life that don’t need to change much.
Traveling, shopping, and even going to restaurants are no longer the pleasures of the past. Instead, you can take your kids out to dinner, enjoy a family meal, and (believe it or not!) Have a pleasant conversation with your partner. It takes patience and planning, but once you’re at your best, you’ll be confident eating out with your kids.
Here are top tips for eating out at restaurants with babies and toddlers.
Expressing Milk for Newborns
Leaving home can seem daunting in the first few months of parenthood, but going out to your favorite restaurant while your baby is still young is actually easier than later. When they’re still lethargic for most of the day and night and can rest in their nursery, book brunch and dinner at a beautiful location and embrace “rest” as they doze off while clinking glasses.
After a few months, when the baby becomes more alert and noisy, it will no longer be so easy, and if you want to go to a favorite steakhouse or wait in line at a hot spot for brunch, you will have to find a babysitter. So, while you still have to get away with it, enjoy yourself… Thank us later!
Check the Menu
Check the menu of the new place before you go; Anything with a children’s menu will definitely be popular with families with young children. If you don’t have a children’s menu, the next step is to check the list of appetizers and side dishes for any simple prepared foods, such as macaroni and cheese, baked potatoes, or simple soups.
Restaurants that serve such simple dishes are usually happy to accommodate children’s requests and are generally child-only. Save on fine French cuisine and a five-course tasting menu for a night out on the town alone with your significant other or friends.
Call Ahead
When in doubt, please call the restaurant directly to make sure they are suitable for babies and small children. You may be pleasantly surprised at how many restaurants are happy to welcome younger diners, and the host can often tell you something special to know, such as when the kids will enjoy live music, or which times of the week are best for the little ones.
Ask Around
Parenting groups are the ultimate source of actual information for all babies, so take advantage of local information. Facebook, the Peanut app, and anyone you can talk to in the park can give you detailed information about the hidden gems of family dining. You won’t know the inside scoop until you get into the mom and dad network. Don’t be shy – when parents love a small business, our favorite thing is to tell everyone about it all!
Eat Early
Don’t worry, it’s not just the grannies who eat at 5 p.m. or even earlier. Sometimes, for babies and toddlers, it’s best to be the first to sit in a restaurant for lunch or dinner. If someone loses their temper, not only is this almost guaranteed that your audience will be reduced, but you may be able to serve the food faster if there are fewer diners present.
Since most people book a date night around 7 p.m., eating early will also make you less worried about potentially ruining a romantic evening at the next table. Eating early also means going home early, taking an early shower, going to bed early… So there’s still plenty of time in the evening for you to quietly enjoy a glass of wine or a bowl of ice cream, and watch the TV for the good and the bad. Win-win!
Behave Confidently
The old adage “pretend to be successful” applies to many areas of parenting, and eating out with children is no exception. If you behave calmly, your child will feel calm as well, as will your partner and the restaurant staff. You will also deceive yourself into making yourself feel calmer and calmer about the situation.
Remember: you have every right to come here. It’s a meal. You’re a paying customer. What’s the worst-case scenario? Someone loses their temper and you take the food away. You’ve experienced something worse. You got this.
Distractions
The most important thing you can do to make eating out go smoothly is to bring some familiar entertainment to keep your kids engaged while they wait for food. iPads and phones are good backups, but volume control can be dangerous, and you want your kids Xi to get used to getting out and actually enjoying a meal in a restaurant. So, have confetti and crayons, water wows and stickers for toddlers, as well as glowing or chewing toys, flipbooks, or small sensory cubes for babies.
As long as all seated adults are ordering, most restaurants won’t mind if you bring something small for your baby or toddler while you wait for food. Sachets of dry cereal, pouches of applesauce, and similar low-viscex/odorless snacks can serve as a great pastime.
…And Adult Reinforcement
Once you get the hang of eating out with your kids, you’ll have the confidence to eat out on your own. But especially if you’re a new parent or have multiple toddlers or babies, it’s a good idea to bring a partner, friend, or babysitter along so that the meal goes smoothly.
An extra pair of hands means that all the children’s food is chopped up and served in a timely manner, and if someone starts crying or throwing tantrums, the adults can take turns eating while another person takes care of those who are fussy in the waiting area or parking lot. Usually, a grumpy child can calm down with just a quick change of circumstances, but if you’re alone, this may not be possible.
Generous Gratuities
There’s a good chance you’ll be left with a bunch of crumbs, drinks will spill, or will need to reach your table more times than most guests. It doesn’t matter. When waiters see families with small children coming in, they know they have to get their hands dirty. Leaving a tip more than the standard is a gesture of kindness and gratitude, and this performance can go a long way, especially if your child isn’t eating much of what is on the menu.
There Is a Strategy
Just like any other area of parenting, having a plan makes everything easier. When it comes to eating out, at least get a rough idea of what you want to order before you sit down. Bring your own wipes and hand sanitizer so you don’t run to the bathroom to wash your hands before eating. Order as soon as the waiter greets you so they can start serving the food and you can also reduce the waiting time for the kids.
Planning is also necessary at the end of the meal. As soon as the food was served, the bill was requested. That way, as soon as the kids show signs of restlessness or whimpering, you’ll get paid, pack your bags, and be ready to go. It also allows staff to flip tables faster for the next guest while reducing your stress. At the end of the day, this is the most important part of the whole process.