dining out with little ones


A few weeks ago the Internet exploded over a very public situation in a Maine diner involving a toddler, a pancake and a whole lot of yelling. You know the one. We all know the one. That’s because we’re all afraid of that story being us, right?
We’re all in this together, after all. We’ve all had our children be perfect angels and little devils, sometimes in the span of the same meal. Dining out with a little one can be hard, no matter how prepared you are. Children are their own brand of loveable chaos, but that doesn’t mean you’re supposed to just hole up in your home until your child is in elementary school.
So, we asked our friends on Facebook…how do you keep your little one busy and meltdown-free while you’re out to eat as a family?
your generous (and useful) top tips are here:
ask around
pre-snacks
BYOM(ats)
and your list of dont's...
no sugar packets
no noisy toys
Most of you agreed that dining out with a child comes with its own brand of chaos, no matter how prepared you are, but that bringing your kids out to eat is a helpful way to prepare them for life in the real world. That’s how we all learn not to throw our dinner rolls on the floor or take our nappies off in the dining room: by doing.
So go out to brunch. Go out to lunch! Go out to dinner or breakfast or coffee. And when there’s a little one melting down at the table next to you, offer his parents a smile and a nod and send them a round of drinks.
We’re all in this together, right?