3 Things I Try To Do When Going Out To Eat With a One Year Old
Hang on. I’ll tell you what I’ve learned about going out to eat with a toddler in a minute. First I have to tell you about when my family went out to eat for Mother’s Day.
Miraculously, Poppy (1) and I arrived first. They led us to one of those circular booths - cute and cozy in theory, but a logistical nightmare when you factor in sweaty thighs and babies. I asked for a booster seat. In my head it made more sense than a high chair because we could put it in the middle of the booth, I could sit next to him, and as the rest of my family trickled in they could fill in around us. The first time I was wrong.
I put Poppy down on the booth, because of course he’d understand about sliding around the bench. The second time I was wrong. I’m now sitting on the edge of the booth, under one arm I had the booster seat, under the other arm I had Poppy. It’s at this point I realize that my decision to wear shorts on this warm day has led to my sweaty legs forming a suction-like seal to the bench.
Eventually, I wiggle my way around the booth, set him up in the booster seat, and realize it doesn’t have straps. My kid then spent the next 45 minutes re-enacting that scene from The Office when Michael, Andy, and Dwight pretend like they’re doing parkour.
Honestly, the dinner was really nice. I’m so glad I got together with my family, but from now until the foreseeable future, I plan to follow these rules.
Feed Him Before We Leave The House
Put Him in a Chair that Straps Him In (learned this one the hard way)
Prepare For Everything to Fall On The Floor - I use a Binky that clips on, toys that can be easily cleaned, etc
