How can I get my toddler to behave in a restaurant?

[motherof1l]

Took my toddler who’s just turned one to a restaurant the other day. He was crying and irritable and because we were worried about disturbing other diners, me and DH ended up taking him for walks whilst the other one had lunch.

Just wondering where I’m going wrong as my friend has a baby of similar age who is perfectly well behaved in restaurants.

Friend said snacks are the key - is this the case?

I’m thinking screen time might be another option but don’t want to go down that route if I can help it.

To be honest, I think it’s just a phase. Some parents get lucky and have a baby who sleeps a solid 12 hours/sits without complaint while they have dinner/etc and many don’t.

I remember eating in relay with my husband in restaurants when the children were between around 1 - and 2.5. They didn’t sleep in the pram, they weren’t interested in sitting and being entertained…they wanted to wander around exploring and climb on stuff. Or shriek in protest. So we ate mostly at home, or in relay if we were desperate.

My friend in comparison enjoyed many dinners/lunches out while her toddler napped in the pram.

I remember fondly sitting in a Pizza Express pre lockdown, so the kids would have been at most 5 and 6. They coloured and did the activity sheet, and husband and I drank wine and chatted. The next table had a toddler chucking pencils and then ended up taking turns being outside. We felt like we’d hit a huge milestone.

It’s a phase and it will pass!!

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken

What at a dinner in a blue moon?

Give it a rest

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken

At home children have all their toys, books, activities to hand.

At dinner they have nothing. A couple episodes of bing if they start getting restless will do absolutely nothing.

Totally agree that screen time isn't ideal it's why my daughter is 3 and it's never been encouraged in the home because there's several other options. She never takes interest in it anyway.

However this is about dinner out.

[quote dorris88]@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken

At home children have all their toys, books, activities to hand.

At dinner they have nothing. A couple episodes of bing if they start getting restless will do absolutely nothing.

Totally agree that screen time isn't ideal it's why my daughter is 3 and it's never been encouraged in the home because there's several other options. She never takes interest in it anyway.

However this is about dinner out. [/quote]
You stated “Its exactly the same”

It isn’t.

I always bring some toys eg cars, book, colouring etc. Never arrive unprepared!