Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Children + restaurants

32 replies

FHmama · 21/07/2022 16:54

At what age was you able to take your child to a restaurant and sit down and eat your meal for the duration?

My toddler has just turned 2 and he won't sit still at a restaurant, is too distracted by everything around him to actually eat - always end up chasing him around and if he's confined to a chair/his pram he will scream the place down.

I know this is normal toddler behaviour and he's a lot easier to manage in almost every other setting but holidays, days out etc I always dread the restaurant bit!

So how old was your child when you could all sit and eat a meal whilst in a restaurant?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
SuperCamp · 21/07/2022 16:55

About 5.

Mrsjayy · 21/07/2022 16:56

Honestly about 4 or 5 it was in eat and out again. I see people complaining about kids watching stuff of phones but it would have made going out so much easier if we had that when my kids were small.

Original poster
FHmama · 21/07/2022 16:57

Oh god, only 3 more years then 😁 I fear when he starts walking he'll be even more excited to run about then. Atm he just crawls (with some major speed!)

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting
Original poster
FHmama · 21/07/2022 16:58

@Mrsjayy honestly I'd let him watch something on my phone if I thought it would work. But the world is all too exciting for him haha. I think it's easier in the summer as we can sit outside and he'll play on the grass with his toys.

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 21/07/2022 16:58

Does he have a highchair at home ? How does he eat his meals usually,

stratforduponavon · 21/07/2022 16:59

Yep. Two eyars old is far too young. They will be bored senseless and will honestly annoy everyone else including you. Unless you are like my relative who wanted to take her child into a adults only restaurant as she was asleep and wanted to go round to all the diners to ask if they would mind...

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 21/07/2022 16:59

By about 3 both of mine could sit to eat. Not for long though but long enough to finish a main. They attended a good nursery that promoted good table manners, so it was always really funny and sweet to see the little ones at each others parties sitting and eating nicely together.

fromsurrey · 21/07/2022 17:00

I did not inflict my kids on people in a restaurant until they were able to be totally well behaved and engage in conversation.
When I go for a meal I want it to be relaxing and not be disturbed by other people's screaming kids.
Or to have my meal that I am paying a lot of money for totally disrupted.
I just see no pleasure in it and or do you by the sound of the OP.

Sorry just how I feel.

Weepingwillows12 · 21/07/2022 17:07

I think it creeps in gradually. At about 3/4 they would sit for short times and could be entertained for a while to keep them still so we went to restaurants that serve quick food, have kids menus with colouring etc. Mine are older now 6/8 but still need reminding to sit still not mess around etc but a lot lot easier. Wouldn't take them anywhere fancy though.

rubberhead · 21/07/2022 17:10

I remember this being a major irritant of mine when kids were small. I longed to to out for dinner but it was ALWAYS a nightmare. Kids used to chuck food, pour salt everywhere, screen when they couldn't March about the place. I used to be so jealous of people that had older kids. Fast forward 11 years and it's one of my favourite things with my dc but I always remember how hard it was. Infact we had dinner out last week and the young couple opposite us had 2 v small dc, they started kicking off and my eldest child went and got them colouring in and tried to entertain them which was adorable 🥰! Your time will come op

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 21/07/2022 17:12

Have you spoken to the HV/GP about his walking?

As for restaurants it depends on the child. DD1 was wqs great at 2, horrific by 2.5 and good again by 3.

RatherBeRiding · 21/07/2022 17:13

About 4/5 for quickly served food and not hanging about afterwards - in, sit, order, food delivered quickly, eat, pay, leave.

Original poster
FHmama · 21/07/2022 17:13

@fromsurrey oh I completely agree, it's a nightmare and I don't want to disturb other people too. We've tried it a few times Hoping he'd get used to it but seems like he's just too young. On holidays we have no choice but usually family friendly resorts.

OP posts:
Original poster
FHmama · 21/07/2022 17:15

@Mrsjayy no he is able to get out of highchairs as he knows how to do undo the clip. But at home, and at nursery, he is excellent he will sit at his little table and chair and eat. I think out and about in a new place is just too exciting

OP posts:
Original poster
FHmama · 21/07/2022 17:16

@Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas hi, he had his leg amputated in February this year so that's the reason he's unable to walk yet. But we pick up his first prosthetic leg in 12 daysSmile

OP posts:
Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 21/07/2022 17:18

FHmama · 21/07/2022 17:16

@Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas hi, he had his leg amputated in February this year so that's the reason he's unable to walk yet. But we pick up his first prosthetic leg in 12 daysSmile

An exciting event. I was asking because I’m amazed at the number of parents who are unaware of developmental mile stones.

Prinnny · 21/07/2022 17:18

DD is 3 and sits well but we’ve taken her out to eat at least once a week since she was born so it’s just part of her normal routine. I think the more you expose them to things the easier it becomes.

I do have a bag of tricks with me incase of emergency, special toys that stay in the bag, colouring, sticker book and last resort iPad, but 9 times out of 10 she’ll just sit, chat and eat.

PippinStar · 21/07/2022 17:23

DC1 is 3.5 and has always been a delight to eat out with. Loves eating (although we have to bring a lot of it with us as they are picky), loves books, loves people watching, sits and plays with toys really well. Never shouts or is loud when out.

DC2 is almost 2. I hope we’ll be able to bring them to restaurants by the time they are in double digits. Seriously, they’re a nightmare!

Muststopeating · 21/07/2022 17:25

I have a very vivid memory of taking my 6 month old and 2 year old to Wagamamas on my own...

COVID interrupted it a bit but I have always tried to take my kids to the odd cafe here and there, even if painful... to get them used to the concept. I have also always had a no screens in a restaurant rule for the same reason (equally they would never have screens at mealtimes at home).

The 3 year old and 5 year old could both sit through lunch quite well now but a 3 course meal at a restaurant in the evening (which we just did a load of on holiday) was a bit trickier. Generally they were absolutely fine for 1 course, a bit fidgety and doing their sticker books etc for 2 courses... a bloody nightmare for 3.

We also eat together at home and they are expected (and have been since about 2.5) to sit still on their chairs and ask to leave the table when finished.

Do you eat together at a table at home?

In short, I think its like most things... the more you do it and the more consistent you are about behaviours the better it will get.

Worldgonecrazy · 21/07/2022 17:28

Since she was a baby. But lucky to be blessed with an easy non screamer who understands restaurants are work places for some, quiet voice and manners towards service staff at all times.

However now she is approaching teens she finds most restaurants a bit boring so screen time is allowed for a limited time.

GoAround · 21/07/2022 17:45

Mine (5YO and 18MO) are pretty good in restaurants but it’s always been a regular thing for us. I get a bread basket and apple juice so they have something whilst they wait plus take colouring and small toys like cars. Also not ashamed to admit I order food I know they’ll enjoy eating over the healthy stuff. They have their mains whilst we have starters, they have pudding (another reason to sit nicely!) whilst we have mains and we usually leave afterwards. On the very rare occasion we want to linger for a 3rd course or extra drink the 18MO will usually crash in the pram for his nap if it’s lunch or bedtime if it’s dinner and we let the older one have a screen (no sound or headphones). We also do a lot of meals out with friends who have similar aged kids and that way they entertain each other.

Caspianberg · 21/07/2022 18:11

Ds has just turned 2. He’s hit and miss in restaurants.
If we can get in, order, eat and leave all within an hour he’s usually ok. Any longer and he’s off.

jeannie46 · 21/07/2022 18:31

Dgd since being born. Now 18 mnths. Fine, knows routine. We take books, stickers etc. Eats / lIkes to be included and see what's afoot ( ie nosy). Knows about paying with ccs etc.

My ds and dd were same.

Mind you all bf so easy solution to any grumbles!
Sometimes if lucky able to time it so that they slept by table in pushchair at lunch time. It's the time waiting for the food that's the worst. One or other parent would just take them out if necessary for a run or to look in shop windows until food arrived.

Always eat together at home. Nursery routine ( 2 days week) wonderful for teaching expectations ( peer pressure?)

Stevienickssnickers · 21/07/2022 18:47

Mine's always been good, we eat out at least once a week and usually go for a coffee at least twice a week so lots of practice! Even after Covid he was so excited to sit in somewhere he was straight back into the swing of things. That said we only go places where the food comes quickly, eat at his usual mealtimes, always take a bag of toys/drawing and usually take something to eat while he waits (fruit, cherry Tom's, little breadsticks etc).

Lazypuppy · 21/07/2022 18:52

From birth for us. We've always gone put at least once a week for an easy dinner, DD would either be in her car seat when she was little or then in her highchair from 6 months.

Always took plenty of toys and snacks etc, and then from 3yo ish we also take the kindle so after we've eaten she can sit and watch something quietly while we finish