My biggest tips: make sure they're not going to be overly hungry while waiting for food or give a small snack beforehand And Make sure they get ample time to run around/burn off energy before the restaurant, if they've been in a car or stroller for a while they'll get antsy.
When my son was younger I would bring mini figurines with matching Flashcards (that I made) in a little sandwich sized ziplock bag. These were only used when we were out and about. My son was always super excited to play with them since it was only out for “special occasions “. After he would match the figurines to the corresponding flashcards he would just free play with the figurines. Bonus it takes up little to no space in a bag or purse.
We found it incredibly helpful to go to an outdoor restaurant (well, with covid it was also all we were comfortable with anyway) but there was SO much to observe without us even needing to whip out the entertainment packs! -We also started with a little wine and apps place, so since everything is an appetizer, it comes out quick and gave us a better chance of setting her up for success! -Our plan for a real restaurant was going to be to order appetizers and salads/soups that she can have as soon as we sit down, or if she is having a main course meal, ask for it to come out as soon as it is ready. Our girl tends to get hungry but is easier to entertain when she is full, so I'm OK with her eating first if we still need to wait. That too, I think, would set her up for success
I would LOVE a video on how to do baby led weaning out and about - at restaurants/travelling/out for the day etc. I adored your baby led weaning series and my baby is coming up to 6 months but all my friends take jars or pouches of baby food out and I don’t know what to do if I don’t want to give her those things! Thank you for this video some brilliant ideas
We did a mix early on and now at 14 months, when we go out, I bring a thermos of warm foods and a lunchbox with ice packs of perishables for her. When we went out in the early stages, it was usually out in nature and I found it easier for everyone to make a homemade puree or smash, and use it as a chance for her to practice using utensils, which she loved. If you'd really prefer finger foods, I'd just pack a little lunch box of everything cut up and warmed up for your little one to enjoy!
I'm a little freaky about what ingredients are used in a restaurant since there is always the possibility of cross-contamination with potential allergens. Before our little one had tried all of the "big 8" allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, dairy, wheat, shellfish, and fish), we didn't really eat out - mostly because of rampant flu season near us that year and not because of allergens specifically but it's something to consider. However, if you're cool with your little one eating restaurant food, you can order completely plain grilled or steamed veggies or a piece of protein (chicken, fish, steak, etc.) and just cut it up how you like at the table. Our first time eating out at around 9 months old, I ordered plain shrimp for our little one and just cut those into strips. I've never actually packed snacks for going out to eat but you certainly can! There are lots of options for pre-packaged healthy snacks like puffs (Beechnut makes one that's just apple and pumpkin with no other ingredients other than pectin which is in apples anyway). I avoid anything with additives, but that's just personal preference. Fresh Bellies is an awesome brand that has dried bell peppers (bell peppers, sunflower oil, sea salt), dried strawberries (strawberries, balsamic vinegar, coconut oil), dried mangos (mango, coconut oil, basil), dried apples (apples, coconut oil, cardamom), and dried beets (beets, coconut oil, ground thyme). The upside to packaged food vs fresh food is that you can spend a long time outside without risk of bacteria growth and spoilage. Also maybe some toast strips with nut butter spread in a plastic bag could be good. I always prefer fresh food for our little one, but it's not always the best option. Plus, your baby gets to eat something special like you do since you're eating out instead of having the same thing he or she would have at home. Sorry for the super long answer, but I kept thinking of things as I was typing. Our little one has never liked pouches other than the occasional applesauce she shares with her dad as a treat so don't feel pressured one way or the other. And remember purees are fine since they do help your child experience another texture so don't stress about it too much!
Last week I took my 23 month old to a restaurant by myself while my husband had softball. I actually thought about you Ashley and how pleasant the dinner was with him because of all the things that you have taught me. He shared my meal with me with the regular fork and cup from the restaurant and we talked about everything around us. I did have to use my phone for the last 2 minutes as the waitress took a very long time and I just needed him to sit and not run into traffic while I gave a good tip. But all in all we were there for almost an hour and I want to thank you for helping me to have a wonderful time with my son with very little screen time.
We have adjusted our expectations along with the age of the child. We used to keep or eating out sessions short. Now our daughter is three, we do spend more time at a meal. We expect her to have chat to us, participate in ordering and help us poor the water, get the condiments etc, but we also understand that a full dinner out takes a long time - so screen time is not taken out of the arsenal, but it’s never the first thing we do. We’ve had some lovely coffee shop trips, her and I. So I recommend going out for little sit in coffee trips to practice. It removes the expectation that the screen is going to be there, so you can go longer without it!
A couple of recommendations from the server’s end: 1) If your child makes a mess, tip appropriately! It takes time to clean the mess up, and that time means less time to have customers at the table. Also, don’t try to hide this mess! I had one family shove all the rice their baby spilled into the seats. 2) Some people mentioned ordering the kids food ASAP, but also feel free to ask for the check as soon as you get your food as well. Most places have rules about not putting a check on the table until all the plates are gone. Good servers want you and your family to enjoy your meal.
I always clean the food off the floor and the mess my 21 month old makes because I don't want it to be an issue for our waiter/waitress. We usually tip 20% usually and sometimes more. We do order early and ask for the check. Thanks for all you do for us with small kiddos.
@@tiffanyeddy6356 that’s awesome! I just waited tables in college, and I will always be grateful for the things it taught me about being a better person.
@@ohwellwhateverr there are times that if they impose it we don't tip more, but on the other hand, the imposed 10% is good for those that never tip...i know many groups will go and not tip at all...leaving all that work for the server with no tip for their time. So I can see it both ways. I don't understand because I tip, but too many will say their bill is expensive and not tip...personally, if you can't afford to eat and tip, either order less (don't order appetizers, drinks, dessert) or go to a less expensive restaurant.
Yesss us too! And the jellies. We’d also draw on the back of paper placemats and rotate them around the table and you add something new to the placemat given you. We still do this in our 30s haha 😆
I wanted to ask what’s your point regarding your children playing with other kids which aren’t raised with the Montessory method in mind? How do you handle conflicts, do your children get frustrated when playing with other children who aren’t used to the ‘taking turns method’ while playing, and scenarios similar to those? Thank you for another great video, and I hope my question will be answered in a future video. Thank you in advance Ashley. All the best to you and your family ☺️☺️☺️
It's not exactly "Montessori" advise, however I order my kiddo's food asap. Like before the server offers beverages! (Usually most places have steamed veggies and Mac n cheese!) I have a little container of "busy snacks" too for the wait.
Yes! We also always asked to bring it out the moment it's ready. Don't care if my drinks, appetizer, or my food are ready yet or not. If the kiddo's food is ready, please bring it! Restaurants try to bring your food together so everyone can eat together, so that extra request made a difference!
Love the games ideas! We don't have an ice machine at home so we always ask for a glass of ice when we're out in a restaurant. She loves it and looks forward to her ice when we're out. Also lasts a long time. She also associates church with a special milk candy that I always give her after communion. Helps her through the last few minutes after I've ran out of toys/snacks to entertain her with. "It's almost time for your nomnom. After that, we can go home."
I still mentally flatline and people watch! Luckily our girl inherited the trait. I couldn’t agree with you more on being screen-free when it comes to passive entertainment. We all resort to it at times but I’ve noticed if I have the practice and patience with being screen-free, so does my daughter! Awesome video, Ashley! ❤️
Everytime there's a new video I get so exited. I have found your channel while I was still pregnant and I have watched every single one of them. You have helped me in so many levels to be the parent I imagened I would be and raise an independent, curious and happy baby. Love from Bulgaria to your lovely family!
Yes!!! We recently went on vacation with our 18 month old (peak time for her for independence & exploration) & I am so proud to say we didn’t use a screen once for 5 days & eating out for at least 8 meals. Books & drawing with crayons or water markers was a big hit. Also, snacks to go was super helpful! Making sure she never got to a point of being too hungry before our food came.
We found out that our boys (2 and 3.5) looove their small magnadoodle/magnetic drawing bord. They ask my husband the most crazy things to draw (a dino on a firetruck with a tophat please!) and are so happy. Works great on carrides as well.
We try to snag a booth, depending on the type of restaurant. This allows our daughter more space to squirm and adjust. Of course you have to be mindful of anyone on the other side of the booth. But it works well for us.
When my.boys was younger they loved the fun pads .we have either color pencils or small box of crayons we also bring books w us as well there favorite was the books on wheels. We use these things in church as well.kept them very entertain. We also kept a back pack in the car w activities so we knew it was always available .
I feel like some of the activities from your travel activities video would be good for restaurants Also, when you can, don't go super hungry during peak hours where waits are going to be longer and tempers are high. And never underestimate the power of the bread basket! (I used to invite toddlers to my Birthday dinners!)
What I found to be the most helpful was to have long meals at home. Dinner lasts from 4:30-6:30 every night. We serve multiple foods, like salad/cheeses/yada yada and talk about our days. Everybody in the house helps prepare food. It set the expectation that meals are long and social. Sometimes she gets impatient but that's when we have her help with a kitchen task, even if it's just holding vegetables for us. Our meals are so long that most restaurants are in/out faster than at home.
Thanks to COVID, we’ve only taken our little guy to a restaurant once. 😭 But when we did, it was a great experience! It was such a new experience for him that he did like your daughters do and people watched for a while. When that got to be boring for him, I gave him a couple teethers, which he really enjoyed. After the food came, he stayed pretty focused on trying out some new foods. It will be interesting to see what it will be like whenever we decide to go back out again. Love these ideas you gave and having a bag ready at all times just in case you need it! And keeping those items special for these kinds of situations is so smart since it keeps it fresh and interesting for them! Love it! Thank you so much! 🤗❤️ Here’s a question I have that is unrelated … How do your girls act around you and Mike when you show affection for each other? Do they ever get jealous or are they comfortable with it?
Really good advice, knowing your child is so important, my little boy is so social and excited and around people, he just wants to go an explore, I found it really stressful before but now that I accept that WILL happen, it makes it easier to prepare for exploring the environment with him! It’s just a different experience
My technique: - Order food right away and stressing that the kid meal should come first - Have an adult wait for the meals, and another one going on a walk : wash hands at the toilet, go outside sit on a bench etc - When the meal arrive, let the toddler eat alone and adult eat as fast as possible - Take out the activities as a last resort if not done eating - Ask for the check asap when the meal arrives - When whining starts, pack up and go! Not very relaxing but it works...
Yeah! You are totally right! Just looking at people at the restaurant can be very entertaining for them. No iPad/cellphone needed. I Love the video 🤍, thank you ☺️.
My son has autism. The only thing to prevent a meltdown is a screen. He can’t functionally play and doesn’t know how to play with toys. It worries me that people judge when he’s sat with a screen so just bear that in mind when you see a mum with a child and a phone or tablet. I also have a daughter who enjoys Montessori activities and we limit screen time with.
I absolutely love this video, especially your last statements. Plopping them in front of the screen signals to them 'you can't handle this environment', so true. The way I see it as well is that we as adults don't go to a restaurant and watch full movies or shows on our tablets, so why is it ok to allow our kids. Thanks for the awesome tips! Love your content.
I’ve been on vacation in Hawaii with my two year old for the past two weeks, so we’ve been eating out more than usual. I wish I would have know this sooner! Thank you so much! I’m not one to put a screen in front of my child while eating, but I’ve done it before in desperate situations. I think another mistake I make is going to eat during my child’s nap time, usually because that’s when the rest of my family wants to go, and he’s very fussy the entire time.
This video came so timely! We are starting to eat out again and my 14mo is still throwing food and not really eating solids and we had our worse eating out experience yesterday...... Now I know how to handle the situation better and so reassuring that it is not expectable for young children to sit through a meal.
Adjusting expectations is so important and also, knowing your child, as silly and simplistic as that sounds. Our son (11 months old) has been "sitting" (not so much actually sitting in the beginning) with us at meals since he was a newborn. This lead to him becoming interested in food and participating in meals early on. And while he finishes his food before us because we help him before we eat ourselves, he usually likes to have some baby led weaning things that he can munch on for the rest of the meal; he also loves drinking water from his cup, which can also keep him entertained for a while. This works at home and usually works well at restaurants too. And for us it's a nice bonus because we feel like the whole family is eating together even though he's not always eating part of what we eat yet. And he definitely also likes to people watch and engage with people around him. But we're also never in a restaurant for super-extended meals :)
same, we offer the eating experience for baby as well (1yo) and it works for a while then we keep her entertained with tableware, doing a tour of the place, and then we take turns holding or playing with her. We try to keep it as short as possible too!
@@florenciabalori3625 We were surprised that we were able to even go to a fancier restaurant and do multiple courses. The only challenge is to get him to focus on his food rather than looking around at everybody else :)
Great video! Our 2.5 year old seems to have more patience when we eat outside. Also, I think restaurant etiquette starts with home meal etiquette. Eating meals at the table, waiting until every is done eating to get up, (or whatever the house rules are.) All if this is easier out if you’re already doing it at home.
We have coloring books and stickers for my 3 year old but I definitely use my phone when she really is over it. It’s usually for 30 min max. We don’t do this often but I see nothing wrong with it sometimes. She isn’t allowed to have an iPad or anything like that so it’s a treat for her when we do allow it. I think as parents we get to see what works best for our family. I definitely don’t judge people out at restaurants for doing what they can to have a few hours for them to enjoy themselves.
I’m a 21 year old adult and I still always get restless waiting for the bread, take a bathroom/break waiting for the food. And usually take another bathroom break after we finish eating because I just can’t sit still like that 😂
4 AND 2 🤯 I’ve been watching your other Montessori videos and Mia was like 9 months old. I didn’t realize they were old videos, I never looked at the date hahaha. Oh my gosh they’re so much bigger now!
We took baby out early and often. This is probably one of the few topics that I have more experience than most parents, so if you don't mind Ashley I'd love to add to your already excellent advice :) My husband and I work over 40 hours, so it's just part of our lifestyle to eat out at a restaurant 5-6 times each week. It was easier to bring him out as a baby before he was a mobile. And he's a super energetic toddler now who wants to move and touch and do everything himself now. But we can still do it. Yes, we love bringing little activities for him. But sometimes the things going on at the restaurant is even more enticing than any toy they've seen before. And that's good - we do want them to be curious and explore the environment. Unfortunately restaurants are never complete yes-spaces. I want to start a restaurant that is though!! maybe more parents would come join us out. I always carry: - a couple toys/activities - snacks - milk or water with a straw or nipple - swaddles and/or bibs - baby fork and spoon - noise canceling baby headphones (just in case it gets unexpectedly loud, one time we were surprised by a drag show. but what great exposure!) First key is to find a restaurant that is amenable to kids. The typical definition of kid friendly, I find, is for kids who can be plopped down in front of tvs and are picky eaters. Not really what we're looking for. I recommend going when it's not busy. You want enough space around you so you can give your child a little bit of room to climb chairs and high chair, walk around, maybe crawl on a not too dirty surface.... depends on your child's developmental age. Sometimes we walk around and check out the walls and other interesting things in the restaurant. other patrons are almost always very friendly to this because they never see smiling babies, they only ever notice they ones crying. so I will say "excuse us" if someone is walking by and they need to pass by, but generally people just don't expect it and they're very nice and even interactive if your child is. So, just follow the child. As Ashley said, you can go outside if you need to. let them crawl or climb on public benches. Out in public spaces, if they haven't been santized, you'll have a healthy microbiome to interact with. I encourage you to wash babe's hands before a meal and after touching any potentially dirty surfaces, but I'm more concerned about lead than I am about harmful microbes or viruses from surfaces - unless they use disinfectant. and then I am very careful about it. As I said, little babies are MUCH easier to bring out. actually our baby was so much happier and complained less when we went out as opposed to being at home. If he'd cry, it'd always be diaper or milk. Breastfeeding friendly clothes or a bottle and a couple bibs and swaddles was all we needed. We'd sit at the bar on a slow night. Bartenders will love it if you know your baby and all he does is eat, sleep, and smile at them. our baby has quite a few bartender friends. For food, I always carry easy snacks for babe while he's waiting for food. like peanut butter puffs or dried fruit. they keep for a while. my babe will only sit while he has food in front of him. we also bring a tiny spoon and fork. But you can also ask for: - bar fruit - a tiny plate - a crab fork - a shot glass or taster glass for water Order off the regular menu. If they're not busy, they'll probably even make you some sides of things they have but don't offer specifically on the menu. Don't be afraid to customize by asking to add or leave off things to suit your baby. Depending on portion sizes, you can share your entrees or sides. Generally the kids menu is not what we're looking for in portion size or diversity of food. Bathroom: some bathrooms actually have little stools by the sink! but not most. I like to do standing diaper changes, so if they have a changing table - great! and if not, that's just how things go. one place we frequent got a changing table specifically for us. lol if they're single rooms, both parents can go in and double team! and if not, I recommend dad gets familiar with how to change a baby on the floor/sink, or go out to your car and tailgate. 👍 when they're old enough, teach them to pay the check and thank the server. they can even sign their name. credit companies only ever check if there's a discrepancy. And lastly, occasionally there are servers and staff that don't want to deal with kids and think all of them are horrible monsters who should not be in public. in those cases, as Ashley said... set expectations and be prepared to pay the check and leave immediately. I've had that happen once out of the roughly 300 times we've been out. but it does happen. don't accept rudeness it's not setting a good example for the babies.
It makes me laugh when people have mentioned outdoor restaurants. You must live in a warmer country 🤣. I live in the UK where it rains ALOT 🌧️☔. Sitting outside is a rare occasion! 🤣. What I got from this video is preparing is key! Xx
I think you hit the nail on the head at the very beginning. I don't understand how people expect their todders to sit still for like 30 minutes to an hour at a time and then discipline the kid for getting antsy. Kids are supposed to want to move around. I can't even sit still for that long as an adult, why would I expect a toddler to do that?
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!! Just the other day I was thinking of asking for a video like this from you 😂. Our 10m old has been great at restaurants and loves to just observe what’s around him. I’m more worried about this for when he’s a little older. When we go out with our friends who have toddlers, they always demand their parents phones the minute we walk in. Right now my son gets no screen time and I would like to keep it that way as long as possible. We can’t get away from them when we go to restaurants that have 20 tv screens on the wall haha but I’m not too worried about that since we don’t go out too often.
Hi Ashley. Very informative video. I have a question, if your child is in a gathering playing with other kids and there happens to be a kid who is hitting or hurting somebody, how to you handle the situation. That happened recently with my 3 yr old when he saw another kid hitting somebody and he asked me why is he hitting and I had no clue how to handle that except taking him away from the situation, which I feel was the worst thing to do since it might had stored in his mind. How would you handle such situation where other kids behave in a very unacceptable way in front of your kids?
I have a 18 month old and she recently started throwing herself on the floor while scream crying if she doesn’t get what she wants .. how do I positively navigate that situation in public or even at home ? What do I do ? She’s a very happy toddler overall , she just has those moments sometimes which I know is totally normal !
Our 14 month old recently went through this for a bit, and I'm sure we aren't done yet. What helped us end it quickly is analyzing what she was reacting to in the first place, and trying to prevent it. Most of the time, our kids actions are a reaction to their environment or what we have done. For us, she is going through a growth spurt and is super clingy to me. So even setting her down to wash my hands would sometimes set her off. If I knew she's in one of those moods, I just had to play around the whole thing so she wasn't feeling like I'm leaving, talk to her, and not provoke the situation. If I DID need to leave, dad first got her super engaged, I said a quick goodbye, we turned on her favorite song, and I left. That way, again, we try to de-escalate what causes the tantrum before it even happens. One time it was for a valid reason though. She was not eating her dinner but playing around with the food, which isn't common for her. So we removed it and let her know she can try later. Of course, that upset her and onto the floor she went. Nothing we said really helped her here so we just stayed at the table and she saw us calmly eating, eventually got jealous, and came over. So the strategy here was to try to talk to her (didn't work), let her know we can talk when she is ready (this worked here), and the next step I've seen recommended is to remove yourself from the room so there's not an audience and just watch them for their safety in a way they can't see you. It hasn't gotten to this point with us, but my strategy was to go in her play room and start playing while narrating, so she would want to redirect to that instead. In terms of fixing this behavior, at this age I found it only makes the situation worse to try to keep reiterating what was wrong, how we shouldn't yell, etc etc. When we just mention it once, firmly, and then work on calming and redirecting, it works a lot faster and better for everyone.
My son used to do that as well all I would do was pick him up and calm him down it would work.. he eventually grew out of it after a couple of months. It’s just stages in their development
How do you deal with other family members who are not familiar with Montessori? Who may also Judge? Or if you have them watch your children do not/will not follow Montessori? Also do your kids go to a Montessori school? Do you think that is a must if you do Montessori at home?
We haven't been to a restaurant since March or April 2020, when all this madness began. 😭 At that time it was very easy just to 🤱🏻 and he stayed quiet for a while. 😂
Do you have a TV in your home? This is something my husband and I are torn on. On the one hand, we don’t need a TV, but on the other, the occasional movie night could be a fun family activity.
Say you’re out at a restaurant with friends and their children are using electronics at the table.. how do you explain to your kids that they are not allowed to use electronics at the table without sounding potentially judgmental that other parents are letting their kids use them?
As someone who usually defaults to giving my kid a screen so we can finish our meal when we're out, (hopefully that will be less often now after watching this) you could say, "Hun, that's his toy. He's using it while he waits for his food. I have these toys, games, crayons, ect. for you. Come play with me." If they say it's ok, he can watch too, you can respond, "That's ok, I prefer him not to watch it right now. I'm trying to cut back his screen time." Or something along those lines. In a perfect world, if it was causing a big tantrum with your kid, your friend would have their kid turn off the screen. However, I wouldn't feel judged if a friend said any of those things to me.
Hi. This isn't directly related to this video but a more general question. I'm trying to do some Montessori homeschooling with my 4-year-old but can't find good resources to teach me the sequences of the works or how to implement them. What are your go-to resources for Montessori homeschooling? I bought the sewing book you recommended and love it. I'd love something for math. And other areas too. Thanks for your channel. My 4-year-old waits for new videos and now associates Tuesdays with new video day. We get a lot of the sharing you do!
Great video! I would love to hear your recommendations for picking out age appropriate books at the library. I have a 2 1/2 year old and mainly, we still read board books, I’ll throw some longer and wordier books in there too. Sometimes I can keep her attention and sometimes she just wants to turn the page. Any tips on how you choose books for your girls. I enjoy all your videos- Thank you!
New question: my baby will start crawling soon. How do you handle going to a friend's home? During play time and nap time (cause a bed won't work anymore).
I usually put a blanket on the floor and have baby nap there… I take sound machine or I make a pillow fort all around the bed to prevent her from rolling off. In worst case scenario I just hold baby for nap. Sometimes I use the couch and stay with her to make sure she doesn’t roll off… she is always supervised
I always bring a bag with activities, crayons, mini play-dough, stickers, and we usually order her meal right away, but some times she still gives a tantrum 😬…
Hi, i have a question. How your kids react when u have visitors in the house(especially Kylie when she was the only child). Since you spend all time of the day with the kids plus you are working from home mom,my guess is that children must be very attached to you and your routine. How do they cope with mommy suddenly not being so much available as they are used to due to the visitors?and how you can help them through that time? We really struggle with that!! Thanks!
Hi, we have done blw but our son (14 months) is a very messy eater. Lots of things goes on the floor. I dread taking him to a restaurant because of the mess. I don't think he would accept being fed by us. Any advice?
I suspect some of what you said in the beginning is why parents of wee ones often go to a restaurant leaving the babes with relatives and when they get closer to preschool to maybe 3rd grade they tend to go to restaurants where there are play distractions available to children. Kids cannot handle that much sitting time. And when adults go out to dinner, unless they are boozers, they generally are interested in foods they would not make at home and the adult conversation of their companions. But children do have to learn about restaurants and ordering food and table manners, etc. AND WEAR WASHABLE GARMENTS, because if they are young enough, you have no clue how much of their meal will land on you. LOL. There's a reason family restaurants have puzzle placemats and playground areas. Thank you for mentioning the possibility of the child's mood that day or over-stimulation. Even people without children have to deal with what happens if someone in their party suddenly takes ill or if they are having guests over and their toilet or refrigerator break down unexpectedly. When in doubt, order take-away/delivery or do a restaurant bug-out.
My biggest tips: make sure they're not going to be overly hungry while waiting for food or give a small snack beforehand
And
Make sure they get ample time to run around/burn off energy before the restaurant, if they've been in a car or stroller for a while they'll get antsy.
Yes to both of these!!
When my son was younger I would bring mini figurines with matching Flashcards (that I made) in a little sandwich sized ziplock bag. These were only used when we were out and about. My son was always super excited to play with them since it was only out for “special occasions “. After he would match the figurines to the corresponding flashcards he would just free play with the figurines.
Bonus it takes up little to no space in a bag or purse.
We found it incredibly helpful to go to an outdoor restaurant (well, with covid it was also all we were comfortable with anyway) but there was SO much to observe without us even needing to whip out the entertainment packs!
-We also started with a little wine and apps place, so since everything is an appetizer, it comes out quick and gave us a better chance of setting her up for success!
-Our plan for a real restaurant was going to be to order appetizers and salads/soups that she can have as soon as we sit down, or if she is having a main course meal, ask for it to come out as soon as it is ready. Our girl tends to get hungry but is easier to entertain when she is full, so I'm OK with her eating first if we still need to wait. That too, I think, would set her up for success
I would LOVE a video on how to do baby led weaning out and about - at restaurants/travelling/out for the day etc. I adored your baby led weaning series and my baby is coming up to 6 months but all my friends take jars or pouches of baby food out and I don’t know what to do if I don’t want to give her those things! Thank you for this video some brilliant ideas
We did a mix early on and now at 14 months, when we go out, I bring a thermos of warm foods and a lunchbox with ice packs of perishables for her. When we went out in the early stages, it was usually out in nature and I found it easier for everyone to make a homemade puree or smash, and use it as a chance for her to practice using utensils, which she loved. If you'd really prefer finger foods, I'd just pack a little lunch box of everything cut up and warmed up for your little one to enjoy!
I'm a little freaky about what ingredients are used in a restaurant since there is always the possibility of cross-contamination with potential allergens. Before our little one had tried all of the "big 8" allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, dairy, wheat, shellfish, and fish), we didn't really eat out - mostly because of rampant flu season near us that year and not because of allergens specifically but it's something to consider. However, if you're cool with your little one eating restaurant food, you can order completely plain grilled or steamed veggies or a piece of protein (chicken, fish, steak, etc.) and just cut it up how you like at the table. Our first time eating out at around 9 months old, I ordered plain shrimp for our little one and just cut those into strips.
I've never actually packed snacks for going out to eat but you certainly can! There are lots of options for pre-packaged healthy snacks like puffs (Beechnut makes one that's just apple and pumpkin with no other ingredients other than pectin which is in apples anyway). I avoid anything with additives, but that's just personal preference. Fresh Bellies is an awesome brand that has dried bell peppers (bell peppers, sunflower oil, sea salt), dried strawberries (strawberries, balsamic vinegar, coconut oil), dried mangos (mango, coconut oil, basil), dried apples (apples, coconut oil, cardamom), and dried beets (beets, coconut oil, ground thyme). The upside to packaged food vs fresh food is that you can spend a long time outside without risk of bacteria growth and spoilage. Also maybe some toast strips with nut butter spread in a plastic bag could be good. I always prefer fresh food for our little one, but it's not always the best option. Plus, your baby gets to eat something special like you do since you're eating out instead of having the same thing he or she would have at home.
Sorry for the super long answer, but I kept thinking of things as I was typing. Our little one has never liked pouches other than the occasional applesauce she shares with her dad as a treat so don't feel pressured one way or the other. And remember purees are fine since they do help your child experience another texture so don't stress about it too much!
Last week I took my 23 month old to a restaurant by myself while my husband had softball. I actually thought about you Ashley and how pleasant the dinner was with him because of all the things that you have taught me. He shared my meal with me with the regular fork and cup from the restaurant and we talked about everything around us. I did have to use my phone for the last 2 minutes as the waitress took a very long time and I just needed him to sit and not run into traffic while I gave a good tip. But all in all we were there for almost an hour and I want to thank you for helping me to have a wonderful time with my son with very little screen time.
We have adjusted our expectations along with the age of the child. We used to keep or eating out sessions short. Now our daughter is three, we do spend more time at a meal. We expect her to have chat to us, participate in ordering and help us poor the water, get the condiments etc, but we also understand that a full dinner out takes a long time - so screen time is not taken out of the arsenal, but it’s never the first thing we do. We’ve had some lovely coffee shop trips, her and I. So I recommend going out for little sit in coffee trips to practice. It removes the expectation that the screen is going to be there, so you can go longer without it!
A couple of recommendations from the server’s end:
1) If your child makes a mess, tip appropriately! It takes time to clean the mess up, and that time means less time to have customers at the table. Also, don’t try to hide this mess! I had one family shove all the rice their baby spilled into the seats.
2) Some people mentioned ordering the kids food ASAP, but also feel free to ask for the check as soon as you get your food as well. Most places have rules about not putting a check on the table until all the plates are gone.
Good servers want you and your family to enjoy your meal.
I always clean the food off the floor and the mess my 21 month old makes because I don't want it to be an issue for our waiter/waitress. We usually tip 20% usually and sometimes more. We do order early and ask for the check. Thanks for all you do for us with small kiddos.
@@tiffanyeddy6356 that’s awesome! I just waited tables in college, and I will always be grateful for the things it taught me about being a better person.
Thanks for your service! From one server to another and now a mother of a two year old
@@tiffanyeddy6356 20%! As a Brit I can’t even imagine that. We get annoyed if restaurants impose a 10% service charge
@@ohwellwhateverr there are times that if they impose it we don't tip more, but on the other hand, the imposed 10% is good for those that never tip...i know many groups will go and not tip at all...leaving all that work for the server with no tip for their time. So I can see it both ways. I don't understand because I tip, but too many will say their bill is expensive and not tip...personally, if you can't afford to eat and tip, either order less (don't order appetizers, drinks, dessert) or go to a less expensive restaurant.
We use to play, stack the creamers. It is exactly what it sounds like.
That’s what I did this morning with my niece and nephew! 🤗
Yesss us too! And the jellies. We’d also draw on the back of paper placemats and rotate them around the table and you add something new to the placemat given you. We still do this in our 30s haha 😆
We do this with my two toddlers!! It really buys a lot of time before the food comes
I wanted to ask what’s your point regarding your children playing with other kids which aren’t raised with the Montessory method in mind? How do you handle conflicts, do your children get frustrated when playing with other children who aren’t used to the ‘taking turns method’ while playing, and scenarios similar to those? Thank you for another great video, and I hope my question will be answered in a future video. Thank you in advance Ashley. All the best to you and your family ☺️☺️☺️
It's not exactly "Montessori" advise, however I order my kiddo's food asap. Like before the server offers beverages! (Usually most places have steamed veggies and Mac n cheese!) I have a little container of "busy snacks" too for the wait.
Yes! We also always asked to bring it out the moment it's ready. Don't care if my drinks, appetizer, or my food are ready yet or not. If the kiddo's food is ready, please bring it! Restaurants try to bring your food together so everyone can eat together, so that extra request made a difference!
Love the games ideas!
We don't have an ice machine at home so we always ask for a glass of ice when we're out in a restaurant. She loves it and looks forward to her ice when we're out. Also lasts a long time.
She also associates church with a special milk candy that I always give her after communion. Helps her through the last few minutes after I've ran out of toys/snacks to entertain her with. "It's almost time for your nomnom. After that, we can go home."
I still mentally flatline and people watch! Luckily our girl inherited the trait. I couldn’t agree with you more on being screen-free when it comes to passive entertainment. We all resort to it at times but I’ve noticed if I have the practice and patience with being screen-free, so does my daughter! Awesome video, Ashley! ❤️
Everytime there's a new video I get so exited. I have found your channel while I was still pregnant and I have watched every single one of them. You have helped me in so many levels to be the parent I imagened I would be and raise an independent, curious and happy baby. Love from Bulgaria to your lovely family!
Yes!!! We recently went on vacation with our 18 month old (peak time for her for independence & exploration) & I am so proud to say we didn’t use a screen once for 5 days & eating out for at least 8 meals. Books & drawing with crayons or water markers was a big hit.
Also, snacks to go was super helpful! Making sure she never got to a point of being too hungry before our food came.
We found out that our boys (2 and 3.5) looove their small magnadoodle/magnetic drawing bord. They ask my husband the most crazy things to draw (a dino on a firetruck with a tophat please!) and are so happy. Works great on carrides as well.
We try to snag a booth, depending on the type of restaurant. This allows our daughter more space to squirm and adjust. Of course you have to be mindful of anyone on the other side of the booth. But it works well for us.
Yes! We love booths way more for the same reason!
I agree with her. Understand what's age appropriate.
When my.boys was younger they loved the fun pads .we have either color pencils or small box of crayons we also bring books w us as well there favorite was the books on wheels. We use these things in church as well.kept them very entertain. We also kept a back pack in the car w activities so we knew it was always available .
I always bring some activities but bub ends up watching the screen on the next table. Sometimes she walks over to the next table 🤣
I feel like some of the activities from your travel activities video would be good for restaurants
Also, when you can, don't go super hungry during peak hours where waits are going to be longer and tempers are high. And never underestimate the power of the bread basket! (I used to invite toddlers to my Birthday dinners!)
What I found to be the most helpful was to have long meals at home. Dinner lasts from 4:30-6:30 every night. We serve multiple foods, like salad/cheeses/yada yada and talk about our days. Everybody in the house helps prepare food. It set the expectation that meals are long and social. Sometimes she gets impatient but that's when we have her help with a kitchen task, even if it's just holding vegetables for us. Our meals are so long that most restaurants are in/out faster than at home.
Thanks to COVID, we’ve only taken our little guy to a restaurant once. 😭 But when we did, it was a great experience! It was such a new experience for him that he did like your daughters do and people watched for a while. When that got to be boring for him, I gave him a couple teethers, which he really enjoyed. After the food came, he stayed pretty focused on trying out some new foods. It will be interesting to see what it will be like whenever we decide to go back out again. Love these ideas you gave and having a bag ready at all times just in case you need it! And keeping those items special for these kinds of situations is so smart since it keeps it fresh and interesting for them! Love it! Thank you so much! 🤗❤️
Here’s a question I have that is unrelated …
How do your girls act around you and Mike when you show affection for each other? Do they ever get jealous or are they comfortable with it?
Really good advice, knowing your child is so important, my little boy is so social and excited and around people, he just wants to go an explore, I found it really stressful before but now that I accept that WILL happen, it makes it easier to prepare for exploring the environment with him! It’s just a different experience
My technique:
- Order food right away and stressing that the kid meal should come first
- Have an adult wait for the meals, and another one going on a walk : wash hands at the toilet, go outside sit on a bench etc
- When the meal arrive, let the toddler eat alone and adult eat as fast as possible
- Take out the activities as a last resort if not done eating
- Ask for the check asap when the meal arrives
- When whining starts, pack up and go!
Not very relaxing but it works...
Yeah! You are totally right! Just looking at people at the restaurant can be very entertaining for them. No iPad/cellphone needed. I Love the video 🤍, thank you ☺️.
My son has autism. The only thing to prevent a meltdown is a screen. He can’t functionally play and doesn’t know how to play with toys. It worries me that people judge when he’s sat with a screen so just bear that in mind when you see a mum with a child and a phone or tablet.
I also have a daughter who enjoys Montessori activities and we limit screen time with.
Coloring is always a perfect activity at the table
Such an important topic! Thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙏
I absolutely love this video, especially your last statements. Plopping them in front of the screen signals to them 'you can't handle this environment', so true. The way I see it as well is that we as adults don't go to a restaurant and watch full movies or shows on our tablets, so why is it ok to allow our kids. Thanks for the awesome tips! Love your content.
I’ve been on vacation in Hawaii with my two year old for the past two weeks, so we’ve been eating out more than usual. I wish I would have know this sooner! Thank you so much! I’m not one to put a screen in front of my child while eating, but I’ve done it before in desperate situations. I think another mistake I make is going to eat during my child’s nap time, usually because that’s when the rest of my family wants to go, and he’s very fussy the entire time.
This video came so timely! We are starting to eat out again and my 14mo is still throwing food and not really eating solids and we had our worse eating out experience yesterday...... Now I know how to handle the situation better and so reassuring that it is not expectable for young children to sit through a meal.
Adjusting expectations is so important and also, knowing your child, as silly and simplistic as that sounds.
Our son (11 months old) has been "sitting" (not so much actually sitting in the beginning) with us at meals since he was a newborn. This lead to him becoming interested in food and participating in meals early on. And while he finishes his food before us because we help him before we eat ourselves, he usually likes to have some baby led weaning things that he can munch on for the rest of the meal; he also loves drinking water from his cup, which can also keep him entertained for a while. This works at home and usually works well at restaurants too.
And for us it's a nice bonus because we feel like the whole family is eating together even though he's not always eating part of what we eat yet.
And he definitely also likes to people watch and engage with people around him.
But we're also never in a restaurant for super-extended meals :)
same, we offer the eating experience for baby as well (1yo) and it works for a while then we keep her entertained with tableware, doing a tour of the place, and then we take turns holding or playing with her. We try to keep it as short as possible too!
@@florenciabalori3625 We were surprised that we were able to even go to a fancier restaurant and do multiple courses. The only challenge is to get him to focus on his food rather than looking around at everybody else :)
I was already bringing toys, but I'm totally going to add your game and busy bag suggestions to our repertoire. Thank you!
Great video! Our 2.5 year old seems to have more patience when we eat outside. Also, I think restaurant etiquette starts with home meal etiquette. Eating meals at the table, waiting until every is done eating to get up, (or whatever the house rules are.) All if this is easier out if you’re already doing it at home.
Thank u for making this video!💕💕we have 14 month old twins n can go to a restaurant w no problems most times ..❤ur videos!
We have coloring books and stickers for my 3 year old but I definitely use my phone when she really is over it. It’s usually for 30 min max. We don’t do this often but I see nothing wrong with it sometimes. She isn’t allowed to have an iPad or anything like that so it’s a treat for her when we do allow it. I think as parents we get to see what works best for our family. I definitely don’t judge people out at restaurants for doing what they can to have a few hours for them to enjoy themselves.
Absolutely! Every family does what works best for them - no judgment here! ☺️
Loving the video like always. Can you please make some videos about basics of montessori music or art classes for home teachers?
I’m a 21 year old adult and I still always get restless waiting for the bread, take a bathroom/break waiting for the food. And usually take another bathroom break after we finish eating because I just can’t sit still like that 😂
4 AND 2 🤯 I’ve been watching your other Montessori videos and Mia was like 9 months old. I didn’t realize they were old videos, I never looked at the date hahaha. Oh my gosh they’re so much bigger now!
We took baby out early and often. This is probably one of the few topics that I have more experience than most parents, so if you don't mind Ashley I'd love to add to your already excellent advice :)
My husband and I work over 40 hours, so it's just part of our lifestyle to eat out at a restaurant 5-6 times each week. It was easier to bring him out as a baby before he was a mobile. And he's a super energetic toddler now who wants to move and touch and do everything himself now. But we can still do it.
Yes, we love bringing little activities for him. But sometimes the things going on at the restaurant is even more enticing than any toy they've seen before. And that's good - we do want them to be curious and explore the environment. Unfortunately restaurants are never complete yes-spaces. I want to start a restaurant that is though!! maybe more parents would come join us out.
I always carry:
- a couple toys/activities
- snacks
- milk or water with a straw or nipple
- swaddles and/or bibs
- baby fork and spoon
- noise canceling baby headphones (just in case it gets unexpectedly loud, one time we were surprised by a drag show. but what great exposure!)
First key is to find a restaurant that is amenable to kids. The typical definition of kid friendly, I find, is for kids who can be plopped down in front of tvs and are picky eaters. Not really what we're looking for. I recommend going when it's not busy.
You want enough space around you so you can give your child a little bit of room to climb chairs and high chair, walk around, maybe crawl on a not too dirty surface.... depends on your child's developmental age. Sometimes we walk around and check out the walls and other interesting things in the restaurant. other patrons are almost always very friendly to this because they never see smiling babies, they only ever notice they ones crying. so I will say "excuse us" if someone is walking by and they need to pass by, but generally people just don't expect it and they're very nice and even interactive if your child is.
So, just follow the child. As Ashley said, you can go outside if you need to. let them crawl or climb on public benches. Out in public spaces, if they haven't been santized, you'll have a healthy microbiome to interact with. I encourage you to wash babe's hands before a meal and after touching any potentially dirty surfaces, but I'm more concerned about lead than I am about harmful microbes or viruses from surfaces - unless they use disinfectant. and then I am very careful about it.
As I said, little babies are MUCH easier to bring out. actually our baby was so much happier and complained less when we went out as opposed to being at home. If he'd cry, it'd always be diaper or milk. Breastfeeding friendly clothes or a bottle and a couple bibs and swaddles was all we needed. We'd sit at the bar on a slow night. Bartenders will love it if you know your baby and all he does is eat, sleep, and smile at them. our baby has quite a few bartender friends.
For food, I always carry easy snacks for babe while he's waiting for food. like peanut butter puffs or dried fruit. they keep for a while. my babe will only sit while he has food in front of him. we also bring a tiny spoon and fork. But you can also ask for:
- bar fruit
- a tiny plate
- a crab fork
- a shot glass or taster glass for water
Order off the regular menu. If they're not busy, they'll probably even make you some sides of things they have but don't offer specifically on the menu. Don't be afraid to customize by asking to add or leave off things to suit your baby. Depending on portion sizes, you can share your entrees or sides. Generally the kids menu is not what we're looking for in portion size or diversity of food.
Bathroom: some bathrooms actually have little stools by the sink! but not most. I like to do standing diaper changes, so if they have a changing table - great! and if not, that's just how things go. one place we frequent got a changing table specifically for us. lol if they're single rooms, both parents can go in and double team! and if not, I recommend dad gets familiar with how to change a baby on the floor/sink, or go out to your car and tailgate. 👍
when they're old enough, teach them to pay the check and thank the server. they can even sign their name. credit companies only ever check if there's a discrepancy.
And lastly, occasionally there are servers and staff that don't want to deal with kids and think all of them are horrible monsters who should not be in public. in those cases, as Ashley said... set expectations and be prepared to pay the check and leave immediately. I've had that happen once out of the roughly 300 times we've been out. but it does happen. don't accept rudeness it's not setting a good example for the babies.
I love your videos! You are awesome! An amazing person, mom and teacher. ❤
Pre covid19 we went to restaurant a couple of times. As the kid was little then, we took turns to entertain him.
Lots of wisdom from you. Many thanks for this video, I feel encouraged to go out with my 16m old :)
Thanks for the tips. Going to use some of your ideas.
Can you do an updated tour of your Montessori materials now that your children are older & Kylie is in primary school?
Thank you!! I love the idea of the restaurant item games. I appreciate you responding to my question.
You’re welcome! :)
Also using restaurant items like you said to play with is better since new to them, not at home.
Introducing the items at a certain age works too.
It makes me laugh when people have mentioned outdoor restaurants. You must live in a warmer country 🤣. I live in the UK where it rains ALOT 🌧️☔. Sitting outside is a rare occasion! 🤣.
What I got from this video is preparing is key! Xx
I think you hit the nail on the head at the very beginning. I don't understand how people expect their todders to sit still for like 30 minutes to an hour at a time and then discipline the kid for getting antsy. Kids are supposed to want to move around. I can't even sit still for that long as an adult, why would I expect a toddler to do that?
Spot on!
Thanks Ashley! ❤️
Do you have ideas for activities for flying internationally with a 15 month old?
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!! Just the other day I was thinking of asking for a video like this from you 😂.
Our 10m old has been great at restaurants and loves to just observe what’s around him. I’m more worried about this for when he’s a little older. When we go out with our friends who have toddlers, they always demand their parents phones the minute we walk in. Right now my son gets no screen time and I would like to keep it that way as long as possible. We can’t get away from them when we go to restaurants that have 20 tv screens on the wall haha but I’m not too worried about that since we don’t go out too often.
Hi Ashley. Very informative video.
I have a question, if your child is in a gathering playing with other kids and there happens to be a kid who is hitting or hurting somebody, how to you handle the situation. That happened recently with my 3 yr old when he saw another kid hitting somebody and he asked me why is he hitting and I had no clue how to handle that except taking him away from the situation, which I feel was the worst thing to do since it might had stored in his mind.
How would you handle such situation where other kids behave in a very unacceptable way in front of your kids?
Also go to restaurant with them just with you first then go with friends or family members
I have a 18 month old and she recently started throwing herself on the floor while scream crying if she doesn’t get what she wants .. how do I positively navigate that situation in public or even at home ? What do I do ? She’s a very happy toddler overall , she just has those moments sometimes which I know is totally normal !
Our 14 month old recently went through this for a bit, and I'm sure we aren't done yet. What helped us end it quickly is analyzing what she was reacting to in the first place, and trying to prevent it. Most of the time, our kids actions are a reaction to their environment or what we have done. For us, she is going through a growth spurt and is super clingy to me. So even setting her down to wash my hands would sometimes set her off. If I knew she's in one of those moods, I just had to play around the whole thing so she wasn't feeling like I'm leaving, talk to her, and not provoke the situation. If I DID need to leave, dad first got her super engaged, I said a quick goodbye, we turned on her favorite song, and I left. That way, again, we try to de-escalate what causes the tantrum before it even happens.
One time it was for a valid reason though. She was not eating her dinner but playing around with the food, which isn't common for her. So we removed it and let her know she can try later. Of course, that upset her and onto the floor she went. Nothing we said really helped her here so we just stayed at the table and she saw us calmly eating, eventually got jealous, and came over. So the strategy here was to try to talk to her (didn't work), let her know we can talk when she is ready (this worked here), and the next step I've seen recommended is to remove yourself from the room so there's not an audience and just watch them for their safety in a way they can't see you. It hasn't gotten to this point with us, but my strategy was to go in her play room and start playing while narrating, so she would want to redirect to that instead.
In terms of fixing this behavior, at this age I found it only makes the situation worse to try to keep reiterating what was wrong, how we shouldn't yell, etc etc. When we just mention it once, firmly, and then work on calming and redirecting, it works a lot faster and better for everyone.
My son used to do that as well all I would do was pick him up and calm him down it would work.. he eventually grew out of it after a couple of months. It’s just stages in their development
Walk away , The child will soon stop the behaviour if there is No audience. This means everybody to leave the room .
How do you deal with other family members who are not familiar with Montessori? Who may also Judge? Or if you have them watch your children do not/will not follow Montessori? Also do your kids go to a Montessori school? Do you think that is a must if you do Montessori at home?
Love this 💕
We haven't been to a restaurant since March or April 2020, when all this madness began. 😭 At that time it was very easy just to 🤱🏻 and he stayed quiet for a while. 😂
Very useful tips, Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Could you please share, how to deal with toddlers in library or silent places
Do you have a TV in your home? This is something my husband and I are torn on. On the one hand, we don’t need a TV, but on the other, the occasional movie night could be a fun family activity.
Say you’re out at a restaurant with friends and their children are using electronics at the table.. how do you explain to your kids that they are not allowed to use electronics at the table without sounding potentially judgmental that other parents are letting their kids use them?
As someone who usually defaults to giving my kid a screen so we can finish our meal when we're out, (hopefully that will be less often now after watching this) you could say, "Hun, that's his toy. He's using it while he waits for his food. I have these toys, games, crayons, ect. for you. Come play with me." If they say it's ok, he can watch too, you can respond, "That's ok, I prefer him not to watch it right now. I'm trying to cut back his screen time." Or something along those lines. In a perfect world, if it was causing a big tantrum with your kid, your friend would have their kid turn off the screen. However, I wouldn't feel judged if a friend said any of those things to me.
@@BC-qm5uu super helpful! Thanks 😊
Hi. This isn't directly related to this video but a more general question. I'm trying to do some Montessori homeschooling with my 4-year-old but can't find good resources to teach me the sequences of the works or how to implement them. What are your go-to resources for Montessori homeschooling? I bought the sewing book you recommended and love it. I'd love something for math. And other areas too. Thanks for your channel. My 4-year-old waits for new videos and now associates Tuesdays with new video day. We get a lot of the sharing you do!
Great video! I would love to hear your recommendations for picking out age appropriate books at the library. I have a 2 1/2 year old and mainly, we still read board books, I’ll throw some longer and wordier books in there too. Sometimes I can keep her attention and sometimes she just wants to turn the page. Any tips on how you choose books for your girls. I enjoy all your videos- Thank you!
Useful tips shared...👌👌👌
What do you do when at a restaurant and someone else’s kid has a tablet and your little one keeps wanting to interact with it as well?
New question: my baby will start crawling soon. How do you handle going to a friend's home? During play time and nap time (cause a bed won't work anymore).
I usually put a blanket on the floor and have baby nap there… I take sound machine or I make a pillow fort all around the bed to prevent her from rolling off. In worst case scenario I just hold baby for nap. Sometimes I use the couch and stay with her to make sure she doesn’t roll off… she is always supervised
If it’s a long stay I take pack and play
@@nessa3545 Thank you for all your ideas
I always bring a bag with activities, crayons, mini play-dough, stickers, and we usually order her meal right away, but some times she still gives a tantrum 😬…
I like this comment because it’s realistic, kids do have tantrums, it’s part and parcel of development. Sometimes we can control it but not always.
Skip dessert 🍮 !
Hi, i have a question. How your kids react when u have visitors in the house(especially Kylie when she was the only child).
Since you spend all time of the day with the kids plus you are working from home mom,my guess is that children must be very attached to you and your routine.
How do they cope with mommy suddenly not being so much available as they are used to due to the visitors?and how you can help them through that time? We really struggle with that!!
Thanks!
What camera lense did you use in the thumbnail?
Hi, we have done blw but our son (14 months) is a very messy eater. Lots of things goes on the floor. I dread taking him to a restaurant because of the mess. I don't think he would accept being fed by us. Any advice?
Don’t take him to a restaurant until : 1 you can feed him , 2 he is pass to messy stage .
Not the most developmental setting
I suspect some of what you said in the beginning is why parents of wee ones often go to a restaurant leaving the babes with relatives and when they get closer to preschool to maybe 3rd grade they tend to go to restaurants where there are play distractions available to children. Kids cannot handle that much sitting time. And when adults go out to dinner, unless they are boozers, they generally are interested in foods they would not make at home and the adult conversation of their companions. But children do have to learn about restaurants and ordering food and table manners, etc. AND WEAR WASHABLE GARMENTS, because if they are young enough, you have no clue how much of their meal will land on you. LOL. There's a reason family restaurants have puzzle placemats and playground areas. Thank you for mentioning the possibility of the child's mood that day or over-stimulation. Even people without children have to deal with what happens if someone in their party suddenly takes ill or if they are having guests over and their toilet or refrigerator break down unexpectedly. When in doubt, order take-away/delivery or do a restaurant bug-out.