My husband and I have a two year old son and we need some advice or ideas?

Question

Every time we go out to eat at a resturant he wants to get out the highchair and run around the place, and when we go to the store he doesn't want to ride in the shopping cart he wants to push the cart or just walk and get into everything. i'm hoping someone can give me some ideas of how to keep him clam in both places, the crayons at the resturant help for about 10 mins and then he wants to get out or get into my lap, and the store i'm just lost about what to do? Any ideas?

Answer 1

Put together a backpack of his favorite toys and books. This backpack can only be opened at a restaurant or doctors office or somewhere he has room to play.

For the shopping cart, have some sugar free lollipops handy that he can only have when riding on a shopping cart.

Always worked for me!

Answer 2

Restaurant idea- if you know what's on the menu have one of you go in and order. While the other one is out in the parking lot with the son. Checking out the plants or even going over the colors on the different cars. When the meal arrives have the person who is inside come to get you. Let the wait person know so they don't think your leaving. This way when the child comes to the table the food is already there. 2 minutes seems like an eternity to a little one. Especially when waiting for food. Let alone the amount of time it takes for the meal to come to the table.
If you don't know what is on the menu look at before you sit down and let your husband know what you want or have him tell you what he wants. This way the order can be put in before one of you takes him to explore.
As for the store have him be your little helper. Helping you get the stuff so it can go into the carriage. Try to do a couple of trips a week if possible this will limit the time spent at the store.
At two he wants to explore his surrounds by letting him help you he is exploring but with your guidance.

Answer 3

So, I'm not the only one, huh?! LOL I have a 2 yr. old daughter. We don't go out to eat, since it's just the two of us. However, shopping has occasionally been an issue. She always rode in the seat of the cart, until she turned 2. Then all of a sudden she wanted to be down instead, but she wouldn't behave and stay with me. Therefore, on more than one occasion I left the store, since she wouldn't sit in the cart, and either asked my mom to watch her and went back to the store myself, waited and did my shopping during my break from work, or tried again another day with my daughter. Luckily, it was only a handful of times that happened. Now that she's more 2 1/2 -ish, she's more independent and started to want to be down in stores again. She behaves a bit better, most of the time, I just have to keep reminding her not to touch items on the shelves, and have the patience to walk around with her at her own pace. I kind of got her used to it by taking her quick places with me and practicing her staying next to me. Quick trips like picking up just a couple items at the store, to the post office to drop off mail. They do a lot better sometimes if you give them something to help you with in the store. My daughter will sit in the cart if she gets to hold something on her lap, and if she can put it on the counter for the cashier to ring up. It's really just a matter of either trying different ways to deal with it, or just avoiding taking him with you for now.

Answer 4

Two year old? I'm right there with you (sigh).

What I do to help in the restaurants, is take some special "going out" toys. Keep these toys in your diaper bag and only bring them out when you're going somewhere. This helps tons at restaurants, and keeps the kid occupied at the table instead of her wanting to run around.

Not sure about the cart dilemma, my daughter loves riding in the seat... But they do have handle attachments you can get at Wal-Marts all over the place, a little activity thing to keep them happy while in the jump seat.

Hope that helps a little.

^_^

Answer 5

Ok this is my technique for my 2yr old... She often wants to get out of the cart when we are shopping. So when she asks me I never give in. I always say no this way she knows its not going to happen. If you allow it sometimes and then say no the next time, you are giving mixed signals. I also bring a sing along toy with us or I'll go to the toy section and get a new interesting toy she can play with. Keeps her quiet for a little while. Then when she starts asking again, I change the subject really quick, like look baby, look at the red apples. Say anything to distract him from wanting to get out.

As far as the restaurant goes.... This is a tough one!!! You have to constantly entertain him. Its hard because they get bored just sitting in that seat. You can also try to make in feel like a big boy and let him sit in the booster seat. I personally like to bring a little snack so that she can occupy herself with that until the food comes out..

PS: When you are food shopping and he cries to get out of the cart. Ignore it!! He will eventually stop. Don't worry about what other people say or the dirty looks you get..

Answer 6

I have two 2-yr old daughters. They are generally pretty good about shopping and at restaurants(though we don't go out to eat much!). For both activities, timing is everything. Go shopping when you know they want an outing. Pack up to go to the restaurant an hour before their usual mealtime.

Shopping: We all go as a family, two parents, two kids, two carts. We split up the list and then meet at the check-out line.
First things first, we hit the produce section and pick out a tub of pre-cut fruit that we know they like. Divvy it up and let them eat as we shop.
Even though she's in the shopping cart seat, I let her "help" as I pick out each thing I give it to her and tell her what it is. "a bag of beans for chili", or "a can of soup" whatever. She'll play with it for a bit until we get to the next thing and then it's her job to put it in the cart. I also encourage her to wave to the other kids in other carts.

Restaurants: About half the time they end up in our laps by the time the food arrives. We always have a stash of stuff that we know they like, but we'll take the opportunity to order them food that is new. Seems to work. At a mexican restaurant, one of my daughters dipped a chip in the salsa(spicy!) and tried it. She cried and drank milk to ease the discomfort... and then went back for more, crying and drinking milk each time. Now she's a salsa pro.
If your kid/kids are messy be sure to leave a couple extra bucks in the tip.
We also prep the visit with a good amount of running around to "get the wiggles out" so they build up a bit of appetite and tend to sit longer.

Answer 7

You just say NO! and stick to it! You put him in the high chair, keep him busy with the crayons and then switch to crackers or another toy. He does not get out of the highchair, period! If he acts up, you take him to the restroom or the car and tell him if he doesn't stop, you will take him home and put him in bed. Then if he still acts up, leave the restaurant and put him in bed! I left a cart full of groceries sitting there to take mine home and put their little butts in bed! It only takes a time or two for them to know you mean business and then will quit doing it! Now is the age you teach them how to behave in public, that you mean what you say and that they have to mind! Consistency is the key, whatever your rule is, you have to in force it every single time. If you let them break it even once, they will keep pushing you! Good luck on raising your little prince!

Answer 8

I get the same thing from my 2 plus daughter, I have found fancy restaurants where there is a long wait time is not for her period!!, she is still a baby and cannot be expected to sit still as an adult would. Fast foods with play areas are more her thing.

As for grocery shopping, the only thing that works is to get her involved, if Mommy is shopping she needs to shop too, after all she is a big girl, so get him involved, allow him to load the cart and help to push it, it is much better than constantly running after him.

Answer 9

At the store you can go to the Deli and get him these potaoe wedges or get a box of something he can snack on and pay for the garbage. Also let him sit in the big part until there is no room for him. I do that with my 3 kids.

At the resturaunt I have no clue. Maybe learn how to eat faster. I am sorry that I am no help here. Hope the store idea helps.

Answer 10

my son does the same thing and he is 4. when my mom takes him to resturants he is fine and sits nicely and everything but when i take him he runs around.hes the same way at the store but i usually put him in the big part of the cart. he has gotten better at the store. i dont take him to resturants anymore i leave that up to my mom. so im not too much help for you .sorry