Just had nice relaxing meal in a restaurant, who'd have thought?

[Pixel]

I dragged the family out for a stroll along the seafront this afternoon to blow away some cobwebs, left to their own devices they would never leave their computers and I was getting fed up with it!
We'd planned to stop at a cafe for a hot drink and snack but by the time we got there walking at a snail's ds's pace, it was pouring with rain so dh suggested having a meal and then we wouldn't have to cook later.
Anyway, we found a nice pizza restaurant (we knew ds would eat that) and ds was a total star (luckily being pizza it didn't stand out too much that he refuses to touch cutlery), sitting nicely throughout the meal. Dh and I looked at each other and were both thinking the same thing - a few years ago we wouldn't have dreamed of being able to take ds to a restaurant and both get to sit and enjoy our meal. He would have been trying to escape out of the door, or hiding under the table, or clambering about on the seats...

So, to those of you having similar problems, don't give up, you might be amazed at the difference in a few year's time!

Thanks pixel thats good to hear. We have had two stressful days just at other peoples houses nevermind a restaurant. I need to believe it will get slightly easier in the future. Its hard being virtually housebound somedays.

Brilliant, pixel.

DS2 seemed to stay at a toddler stage for years. But, slowly, slowly it does get better! I can even do pub lunches now, so long as they have burgers on the menu.

Great news pixel... we have been able to take Dd3 to our local carvery for a while now because it is really dark and nobody can see her disgusting unusual table manners.

Oh Diet I know what you mean, we had to come home early from my mum's at Christmas because ds wouldn't settle. He was awake all night, pooed himself, escaped out of the back door into the road, sat by the front door clutching his shoes...
For someone non-verbal he sure makes it known when he wants to go home!
It seems we've conquered restaurants but other peoples' houses is still a step too far .

Ineedchristmascake Ha ha, there was no hiding in a dark corner for us today, we were seated right in the window with crowds of people heading home from the sales getting to see ds doing his impression of a hamster.

Well done mini pixel .

Bless him for sitting by the door with his shoes, that is so sweet and clever communication.

Well done to your DS. How old is he?

The only meal out at the moment would be at the soft play area but to be honest I'm up and down there making sure he's okay and normally have a huge lego tower made from there giant blocks on the table.

That's fantastic Pixel.
What a difference that will make to your family!
I wonder why the restaurant was more stressful for him than your grandmother's?

Chuckeyegg, he'll be 12 in may.

Not sure what it is about other people's houses. He is normally ok for a short while (as long as we lock the doors ) but then he wants to get back home. It was quite busy at my mum's being Christmas with all the family there and he really can't cope with unwrapping pressies etc so I think he was on a shorter fuse than usual. Once he wants to leave there is no distracting him (except possibly with Pringles ).

Have you considered showing him how long he will be at a certain place for?
Once kids know when what they are doing comes to an end, thry are much calmer (as are we all).
I've posted a lot in the past how Timetimes and picture calendars can really help with things like this.

Just a thoguht.

DS at 4 never let us have a quiet meal at the restaurent, only time dh and I were able to go out were for special occasions like wedding anniversary etc. Now we don't have to find a babysitter, DS is 6 and will sit through any meal with us, try most of the foods with us, although we try to get at least one dish we know he would like. He has grown out of most of the difficulties that stopped us going out and about, just wish he would grow out of his speech difficulties.

oh thats so lovely to hear :)