Expect 2 year old to sit quietly in restaurants

Why didn't you take your 2-year-old to play somewhere instead of the shops? Its ok to do different things while all together

How boring for your two year old and sounds like no one is thinking of you having to manage it all.
Next time go off and do things that you and your two year old will enjoy. Invite them to join you. Then they can choose to spend time with their grandchild doing things he enjoys or carry on with their long dinners On their own.

We haven't been on lunch/dinner out with our toddler since he started walking for that same reason. What did your MIL say about your son's behaviour during the meals?

Our eldest is 2.5 now and it's getting a bit better, he is bit more interested in his food (couldn't care less before), a bit calmer generally and he can keep his attention focused on a toy or book for 15-30 min. We practice on short brunches indoor (30-45 min top), and the local pub outdoor area (1-1.5h top). We are nowhere near ready to take him for a full meal yet.

If you choose to holiday with them again, then I would just join them for lunch or a tea stop in the afternoon. It’s unreasonable of them to expect a two year old to be happy traipsing in and out of shops and then sitting in a restaurant.

I'd plan the next holiday and present MIL with a schedule of 4 hours in a playpark followed by a sandwich at the Booths' cafe then a trip on the Windemere steamer in heavy rain. 2 year old heaven!

Yeah our son behaves well in cafes and restaurants but visits to them always follow an activity or copious amounts of walking so he's ready to sit at that point.

My in laws have only just really started to realise that long lunches aren't possible if their grandson is with us. Said son is 3.5 😂

@Atovell why do you always have to go on holiday with your mother in law??? she should surely realise that sitting in a restaurant all the time with a 2 year old is no fun for anyone!!! you partner needs to grow a pair of balls and refuse to go eating and drinking all the time just to keep your MIL happy!

All our holidays centre around the kids at the moment because they are 2 and 4.
There's no way in hell either of them would be up for the holiday you describe.

Why isn't your husband doing some of the childcare. By doing it all, you won't let him see just how hard it is so occupy ds

We stopped eating out for a while when my youngest DD was that age as she was such a nightmare! They are being very inconsiderate and it’s not fair on you.

This has been a learning experience for you all. It just doesn’t suit your son to have that sort of holiday.

The amount of time I spent getting up and walking around outside at restaurants, there’s no way I would be doing that 3 times a day. Your DS is a normal energetic child, YANBU. But YWBU to do it again knowing what you know now.

My son (2.5) is very good at going to restaurants. He just has the natural temperament to be able to sit still for long periods and be content just talking to us or colouring. He never gets up or starts shouting or demands to leave the table etc. It's not good parenting, just how he is.

I still wouldn't expect him to last more than an hour (including ordering and waiting for food time) and not three times a day. The grandparents are being incredibly unreasonable.

I agree, it's silly to expect a 2yo to behave like an adult.

2 is the hardest age to eat out as they have absolutely no idea of what’s expected and no idea how to manage these strange customs that adults put on them. Our daughter is three now and can do a short lunch out, if she’s had a lot of exercise, been fed and is being entertained…. Anywhere too stuffy or protracted we end up relying on tech (yes, yes worst parent alive etc!!)

If your in laws insist on this going forward, tell them they need to be prepared for you to whack something atrocious on the iPad for the toddler (with headphones! I’m not a monster!)

I have an aunt like this who says I spoil my baby because I feed him when he's hungry and cuddle him when he cries ... but she has no children so I don't blame her. I had no idea what it was to parent a child before having one myself! But people who have had kids to forget so resolutely and expect a two year old to sit there for over an hour three times a day is mind boggling, and as a PP said, a huge waste of the Lakes!

It's too much. Now he's getting older, you can book activities that will suit him better and have them work around that... or not. I'm not sure what they expected though; at that age my mum and MIL would go to the playground, farm, or at most a garden centre with him. Mind you, we couldn't shop because of covid, so maybe I just have knowledge gaps!

In my experience A 2yr old can sit in a restaurant for up.to 90 minutes...with the right distractions, if it has been arranged to suit their normal routine, if they have had appropriate naps and activities earlier in the day.
Doing it 3 times a day, with nothing but shops in between sounds like a nightmare for my teens let alone a 2yr old

I consider mine pretty good at eating out (they didn't get it from me) but not 3 times a day. That's a lot to ask from a toddler. I'd be knowing my limits and not joining them for every meal.

Had to laugh at this.
We did the lakes once with young kids. It was not the place for us, for all the reasons you state lol.

Totally normal for a 2 year. They didn't give any thought into how a little one would find sitting at a restaurant table for hours upon end. Next time politely decline the invitation, go somewhere kid friendly, wear your little one out during the day and have a nice meal in the evening.

Your MIL sounds like a self absorbed bore and unfortunately for you, your DH doesn't sound much better. Going forward I'd decline any invitation from her and book your own breaks and set the agenda. If she comes with you then you'll have planned it differently and she'll either have to fit in or not come.

I would be bored. Don't holiday together.

Your two year old is perfectly normal. Your in-laws are batshit crazy.

It’s probably because it NEVER stops raining.

People think there is so much to do with such beautiful scenery and the amazing walks etc…
The truth is that 99% of the time it’s miserable traipsing about knee deep in mud with an icy wind blowing around you.

There are so many good pubs and restaurants in the lakes and it’s probably because that’s where everyone ends up after visiting Beatrix Potter world because they are fed up of being cold and wet. It’s definitely not an ideal holiday for a toddler apart from the two weeks in June that are summer.

Even on trip advisor people knock stars off reviews of businesses, hotels and restaurants because of the weather 😂.

For the money you spend if it’s a holiday involving children you are better off going somewhere with better weather and more attractions for kids. The last year has been so wet that some outdoor attractions have had to close because it’s not safe to be on an adventure playground or a zoo or petting farm when it’s slippy and boggy.

It’s a great place for friends or couples to visit when you can sit in front of an open fire drinking real ale or you have the stamina and endurance to do a proper hike. Unfortunately its a nightmare for everyone when people bring their kids into a restaurant out of the rain and they are fed up and bored.

Unless of course you are lucky enough to visit in those two weeks of summer, then there is plenty to do and it’s a completely different experience, it’s usually pretty dry in May but not this year, I’m feeling pessimistic and worrying there might not be a summer at all this year.

Obviously it's unreasonable to expect this from a 2 year old.

But you are also being unreasonable for not being a bit more assertive and saying you will skip the restaurant and take him to the park or whatever.

You didn't have to follow along and do what they wanted to do all the time.

Totally unreasonable

Your ds only wants to be knocking around outside

Shame on your mil and DP for not prioritizing him