It’s a Friday evening, and my partner, little one, and I have decided to eat out. While we savor our steaks and discuss plans for an upcoming vacation, our 2-year-old occupies her chair, engrossed in a tablet with headphones snugly in place.
For a toddler, she’s remarkably well-behaved during meals. Occasionally, we opt for a sitter when we crave a more adult-like dining experience, but often we choose family-friendly establishments.
After two years of dining out, I’ve become a master packer, hauling a massive bag filled with essentials to counteract any potential chaos. This bag serves as my safety net, stocked with wipes for messes, bibs, extra clothes for our messy eater, and a plethora of quiet toys—think crayons, coloring books, stickers, dolls, dinosaur figures, fake keys, and even a pretend phone.
It’s a lot to carry, and sometimes we need to ask the hostess for an extra chair just to accommodate my “Mary Poppins” bag! However, even with all this, my child remains entertained for only about 30 minutes at best.
Here’s a fun fact: toddlers have a notoriously short attention span. Anyone claiming otherwise is likely not being truthful or is employing some form of sedation on themselves or their children.
When our food arrives, my little one often decides that sitting quietly is no longer an option. Instead of being the serene child depicted in a Norman Rockwell painting, she’s ready to leap out of her chair, explore the salt shakers, and possibly start a ruckus. The polite toddler is a mythical creature, akin to unicorns and dragons.
Faced with the choice of taking her outside to regroup, entertaining her with sugar packets, or allowing her to wreak havoc while I attempt to enjoy a warm meal, I usually end up with a cold dinner, often forgotten in the car or left behind entirely.
After countless purchases of coloring books and stickers that failed to hold her attention, I finally surrendered and bought her a learning tablet. I budgeted for this screen device alongside my own wine and beer allowance. Why? Because at the end of the day, I’m exhausted and just want to enjoy a warm meal and have an adult conversation.
I frequently hear the warnings about excessive screen time, and guilt often follows. But I’ve come to realize that my child doesn’t spend all day glued to a screen. To her, my iPad is a magical portal to connect with Grannie and Pop Pop, where she can sing “Twinkle Twinkle” whenever she wants. With 95% of her day spent screen-free, I doubt that a tablet session focused on counting and the alphabet will turn her into a zombie. Instead, it allows me to savor a meal with my spouse and finish a coherent sentence.
With the tablet in tow, our dining experiences have transformed. No longer do we require an extra chair for my purse. We engage in quiet conversation while our child is entertained. When her patience wears thin and the usual distractions fail, the tablet is our secret weapon. For her, it’s a delightful surprise that appears each time we visit a restaurant. She remains entertained for a solid 30 minutes, allowing us to enjoy our meal.
However, I recently overheard a comment from someone nearby: “These kids and their electronics! Can’t parents engage with them and teach them how to behave at the table?”
Let me clarify—my child and I spend ample time together throughout the day, teaching her to sit at the dinner table and behave, both at home and in public. But, let’s be honest: it doesn’t always work, especially with toddlers.
I have a limited window to ensure she behaves appropriately while we dine out, allowing everyone to enjoy their meals. You just witnessed a brief moment of our lives and decided we’re insufficient for a parenting challenge that’s evolving. If you believe that even a small amount of screen time is detrimental, maybe you should consider living in a place where the concept of parenting is still in the dark ages. Good luck posting about it on social media from there!
In the grand scheme of things, I’m simply trying to balance motherhood with the joys of dining out. If you’re interested in boosting fertility and understanding more about family planning, check out our blog on boosting fertility supplements. Additionally, for insights on early periods, visit this resource. Finally, if you’re curious about IUI success rates, WebMD has excellent information.
Summary
In today’s fast-paced world, dining out with a toddler can be a challenge. The author shares her experience of balancing motherhood and her desire for adult conversation while navigating the realities of screen time and toddler behavior. By embracing technology in moderation, she finds a solution that allows her family to enjoy meals together.