It’s intimidating, right? Going out to eat with a toddler could go awry at the drop of a hat. Your toddler is learning that they can push the boundaries. They’re figuring out that they can have an opinion of their own. And they’re having meltdowns over the most unexpected things. But you know what? This is the time they’re learning how to handle themselves. The only way to really do that? Go out in public and do “normal” things, including going out to eat at a restaurant. So, here are 6 tips strategies for going out to eat with a toddler (without losing your mind).
Look at the menu in advance if possible. Do you need to bring something else for your toddler?
When choosing where to go out to eat, take a look at menus online. Is there something your toddler will like or would be willing to try? Not all restaurants have a kids’ menu, and even if they do, the kids’ menu may not be online with the other menus. I always take a look anyway, to see if there’s an appetizer or side dish my little girl might like (mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, fruit, etc.). If not, I bring something for her, whether that’s a pouch, some fruit, puffs, melts, etc.. It’s good to be prepared with snacks anyway, just in case. I’m not trying to raise a picky eater, so she always get a little bit from my plate to try, whether she chooses to or not. I just need to make sure she can eat something for sure.
Related: The Ultimate Single Mom Hacks for Traveling with a Baby
Order the first time you talk to your server, including dessert.
This is the other reason to examine the menu in advance. Toddlers generally have a time limit on how long they’re willing to sit and behave the way you’re hoping they will in public. This will get better and better with practice, but to make a better experience for everyone (my toddler, me, the servers, the people around us), I’ve started ordering everything—beverage, appetizer, entree, dessert, etc.—as soon as the server comes over to introduce themselves. You can decide if you want it to all come out at once or if you want it spread out, but go ahead and cut out the gap in time between your server introducing themselves and then coming back later to take your order. (Is it just me, or does it seem like that gap gets longer and longer?)
More here: The Best Snacks for Babies and Toddlers
Wait until food comes to put them in the high chair or booster.
Hosts and servers are so great to offer a booster or high chair as we’re seated, but if I put my daughter in it as soon as it comes, her time limit will expire long before the food comes. This makes eating more complicated for both of us and totally rendering the high chair useless. I let my toddler play, sit with me, or walk around a bit until the food comes, and only then do I put her in the high chair. She still reaches her expiration before the meal ends sometimes, but when this happens, she is also learning patience while I finish my food.
Also helpful: What to Do When There’s No One to Watch Your Baby on Travel
Bring something for them to play with.
My toddler can pretty much make anything into a toy—a napkin, silverware, a tiny stick of sunscreen, chapstick, the list goes on. But I also make sure to have a few other things on-hand to make sure she has something familiar to occupy her hands and attention while we wait for our food. This could be snacks, a book, a small stuffed animal, whatever she happens to love playing with that week. I have not introduced an iPad or other screen entertainment yet, and I don’t plan to, at least not at meal times. No judgement if you use screens with your kids, but those are some screen-free ideas for anyone who wants them!
Keep reading: The Top 7 Reasons Why Single Parents Should Travel with Their Kids
Be willing to walk around with them.
I want to sit down and relax when I’m at a restaurant, especially when I’m traveling, but I try to always mentally prepare myself to walk around with my daughter while we wait for our food. She is a mover and a shaker, and it’s hard for her to sit still even for a moment. We practice that when the food comes, but until then, I expect her to want to walk around a bit while we wait, and we usually make some friends at nearby tables while we walk around. This is one of the things I try not to fight. Walking is a “yes activity” when possible.
More here: The Best Travel Gear for Single Parents
If you think another table is better, ask for it.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a better table. And by better, I mean more amenable to a toddler. A high-top is not a great idea with a little one—the high chair will be too short. A table by the door might make for an escape hazard. I once had a hostess seat us at a booth, then tell us we couldn’t put the high chair at the end because it would block the pathway; so I asked what I thought was obvious, “Can we sit at this table right next to it and put the high chair in place of one of the regular chairs?” The hostess thought that was a great idea!
Unless a host or server is a parent themselves, they won’t know what to consider when choosing a table appropriate for a toddler. It’s not their fault, it’s just not their life at the moment. I remember those days. Don’t be offended by it, but also don’t be afraid to ask for something more logical for you and your toddler!
Read on: How to Treat Yourself as a Single Parent on Travel
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