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Set realistic expectations. A 2 year sitting in a restaurant chair for a whole meal simply isn’t.
We have 3 now and haven’t dialed back family outings (including restaurants) overall. And we really only lean on screen time for survival on flights (never is a restaurant). That said, we have take a few hiatuses when 1 of them was going through a particularly challenging phase which made eating out extremely unpleasant.
Mostly, we aim for places that have good beer and a dull roar so if the kids are howling, no one hears or cares. We also have a few spots with diversions for the kids (eg big chalkboard wall on patio) so they are actually encouraged to go play/color between bites and we can sip in relative peace
First off screens should never be used to control a child's behavior. I consider them electronic pacifiers.
I've got four kids under the age of 5 and other than crayons, the only thing we use to occupy our kids are word games like opposites, I spy, Simon says, etc.
None of the kids ever used pacifiers either 😁. We tried them, but as babies, once they found out no milk came out they spit them out.
I suggest going through the grind. There is no easy way out. Distraction, negotiation, patience and a stern stand so the two year old gets the message you are willing to take the brouhaha and still not budge. If they sense a weakness in either of thr parent , they will exploit to their advantage. Overall its about setting boundaries and it does get very difficult to follow through.
Early discussions that using screen at dinner is jot a good thing did help us. You need to keep talking and repaying the message.
My 2.5 yr old is noticeably better than when he was a 2 yr old. So hang in there, reinforcing good behavior where you can, and wait it out. Mines gotten much more into coloring too as his coordination is getting better which can sometimes keep him still
Talk to your kid. It might take a few tries for them to appreciate but You won’t regret it and they understand more than you realize
Monkey see, monkey do
Recommended read: Reset Your Child's Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time
Instead of screen time we bring a backpack and fill it up with little surprises from Target’s dollar bins or prizes from vending machines.
According to the AAP there is no value in a a child under 2 having any screen time at all - phone, tv, anything. With that said, it’s reality and unavoidable. But your kid is 2 - if they get more screen time outside of dinner, or if you’ve used it repeatedly as a crutch in the past, that’s going to be their default want and expectation. It’s tough, but I’d suggest working on reducing screen time all together (not just at dinner) by suggesting alternatives at home and restaurants will hopefully get better. Many days at home our “tv is broken” and we have to read books, do puzzles, or play with our toys. Also we “only listen” on our phones (YouTube kids songs), we don’t watch. Hope this helps and good luck!
I find that kids model behavior at home. So however they behave at family dinner at home, they will behave while out. Practicing family dinner regularly with everyone sitting and waiting to be excused once everyone is done is the best practice for going out to eat. Also it’s a slippery slope once they realize the iPad is an option, so have to draw a hard line there and be consistent
Thank you all!
Order a kids meal and an appetizer for the adults . Order adult entrees to go.
Eat your dinner at home. While the kids are asleep.
Ugg me too man