taking a toddler to the restaurant?

Question

I want to take my 13 month old son out to dinner with us tonight at 7 pm but his bedtime is 6 pm...where can he sleep in the restaurant and how do you deal with a toddler out to eat with you?? Yes, i do have babysitters but i'd rather them watch him when we want to do things without the baby like movies, comedy, etc

what tricks have you learned?

Answer 1

We always take out son with us everywere we go to eat. When he was just a baby we would take in the car seat and let him sleep in that now we take in the stroller and he will sleep in it. Takeing your child out to public places like out to eat will teach them to behave while out and it is good to do that. My son at 1 1/2 years old loves to go out and eat and is always good never wanting to run around like most little ones and never crys but the first place we went the day I got out of the hospitel was our favorit restront (where my husband and I met) and we have never stopped taking him out to eat with us in fact he has NEVER had a babysitter that is not grandparents and only if we go to the movies (can't expect him to sit still for 2 hours in a movie he does't like). I hope this helps good luck!

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with taking a child out to eat. You just have to be considerate of the people around you. Take books or any quite toys your little guy likes. I know some places offer kids menu with crayons. Little snacks like goldfish crackers to tide him over is a good idea. When you order will you get him something or will he share with you? If you order his own plate ask the server to bring his food as soon as it's ready. So he doesn't have to wait for you food to get done. His bed time is at 6 but he may not got to sleep because of all the new sites and sounds. Is there anyway you can go earlier or give him a late nap so he wont become cranky? If he does I suggest getting to go boxes. Taking a toddler out to eat can be an experience. Oh I used to be a server so if your child makes a huge mess either clean up it to the best of your ability or leave a nice big tip ! Good Luck

Answer 3

At this age there are two things you can do
1. Have him take a long afternoon nap, or an afternoon nap
Give him a small dinner. This way he should not be cranky

2. Keep him on his normal schedule. Hopes he falls asleep at the table. I know this could happen, because anytime my mother in law watch my daughter at that age, she never gave her a nap. My daughter fall asleep at the table

When you get to the restaurant, know what you will order. When the waitress comes for drinks, order dinner at that point. Bring a snack (gold fish, Cheerios, etc) most restaurant let you bring snacks for little ones. Bring your own slippy cup he is use to. Bring toys and books for him. Keep in happy.
When the meals come, make sure he has something to eat. Most restaurants have kids meals. If they do not, look at appetizers, see in they have a form of chicken fingers
Good luck
This work most of the time with my daughter
If it's does not work, ask your meal to go

Answer 4

Since my daughter was 2 weeks old, my husband and I have always taken her with us to restaurants (I'm not talking about McDonalds here). We would get a highchair for her but usually she would end up sitting on my lap. We would try to order our food fast and then if my daughter got too fussy, I would walk around the restaurant and look at the art work on the walls or if the kitchen had windows, we would watch the cook prepare food or play with water in the bathroom sink until our food arrived. We would then occupy her with bread and some food off of our plates. Whenever it was available, we would always ask for a booth. if she fell asleep, she just slept on the bench next to me and I just kept one hand on her to prevent her from rolling over or something. You could also bring some books or crayons with you if the restaurant does not provide any. My daughter is now 4 years old and we eat out at least twice a month. Don't worry about his bedtime, one night is not going to kill him and he'll probably sleep better that night anyways. Have a great meal

Answer 5

If your son goes to bed at 6, then 7 is too late for him to be out at a restaurant!!! Don't expect him to behave because he will be tired and fussy! How do you expect him to sleep? Where would he sleep???

My son is a wild child and I would only take him out to a restaurant under the best of circumstances, plenty of books, quiet toys, snacks, drinks...etc. When he gets too grumpy then it's time to leave. We either end dinner early and get the rest to go, or one of us take him out for a walk.

You are setting him up for failure if you are expecting a toddler magically sleep in the restaurant.

Answer 6

Big deal! So it's an hours difference. Let him stay up an hour and it will make him sleepier when he gets home! Entertain him, keep him laughing. If you let him fall asleep in the restaurant, when you go to put him down later, he will just wake back up! Save yourself the needless exhaustion and keep him up another hour! I have two girls 10 and 13 so I talk with experience! And also, don't worry about on lookers and nasty smirks! If they don't like it, THEY can just leave! That's life!

Answer 7

Wow. You want to just set your son down and let him sleep? That's crazy! What if someone takes him? Either take him with you and keep him at the table or hire a babysitter. Or, stay home if neither of these options suit you.

Answer 8

The kid doesn't sleep at the restaurant and it wouldn't be wise to leave the little guy in the car, while you eat. (parents have gotten in trouble with that sort of thing). It's different for every parent, every kid is different, but it is a learning experiences that both child and parent needs to go through. There's nothing wrong with a kid staying up a little past their bed time,

Answer 9

Oh expensive! i could have had a extra healthful! i wouldn't in any respect ***** in a eating place if meant to maintain on eating there. As a student I worked in some eating places and back meals isn't dealt with nicely.... One guy had his pizza base twirled as much as the ceiling and lower back lower back, yet another guy had somebody else's a million/2 eaten meal jumbled together with his and somebody else had the chef toss a salad after he'd in simple terms been to the lavatory and he hadn't washed his palms on purpose. All at diverse places and all with particularly regular, "stable high quality" eating places.

Answer 10

-lay him down an hour or two later than you normally would for his nap.
-make sure the restaurant you go to is family friendly.
-pack along stuff to keep him occupied.
-if things get totally out of hand....be polite enough to other patrons and get your meal to go.

i have been there. it is hard to find babysitters (where are all those people who offered while you were pregnant!?)....but you shouldnt be held hostage in your house either just so you don't offend someone.