Swallowing My Pride
After a few very valiant attempts to take the kids out to restaurants recently, Jerry and I have both decided to go on a brief hiatus. This is actually really hard for both of us. We are proud of our kids, but also we are - just in general - proud people. But we have reached a point. Holy shit we have gone passed the point...
When there was just Lucy (B.J. before John...wait that's not a good acronym), we went everywhere at any time we wanted. She was a very adaptable baby and toddler. She's easily distracted and loves food. Restaurants were NEVER a problem. Even when the baby was a baby, we used to go out often. We would time it appropriately (early before places got crowded and during a feeding so that he would always be happy). In the not too far past we would get compliments all the time on how well behaved our kids were (pats on the back all around). I think there was a point when we felt like it was "easy".
Well, it's not.
John started walking way too early. It's great because he's super active and keeps up with Lucy. They can do a lot of the same things. However, we missed out on (at least a couple months) where he would just sit and not feel the need to move, move, move. We like to say he skipped crawling and walking and went right to running. And that's just what he likes to do inside restaurants. Overnight (at least that's what it feels like) we have become "that family." It always starts out good until the baby decides that there is no food or toy on the planet that will keep him in a high chair or a lap. He must GO. So the last couple times Jerry and I have taken turns taking him for walks around the restaurant, etc. Lucy will do pretty well for awhile, but then it gets hard for her when her brother is getting all this "special" treatment. Hence. much of the dinner is spent out of our booth and outside, walking around or bending, catching, squatting, shushing and cleaning. Most importantly no one eats well (in my case I don't eat at all).
Saying we are on a break is a little easier than trying again and feeling embarrassed. Thinking of starting again with breakfasts because they are quick.
Any good pointers from moms out there? How to keep 1 and 2 year olds still for short periods of time (we don't use electronics to keep them busy).
Help!
When there was just Lucy (B.J. before John...wait that's not a good acronym), we went everywhere at any time we wanted. She was a very adaptable baby and toddler. She's easily distracted and loves food. Restaurants were NEVER a problem. Even when the baby was a baby, we used to go out often. We would time it appropriately (early before places got crowded and during a feeding so that he would always be happy). In the not too far past we would get compliments all the time on how well behaved our kids were (pats on the back all around). I think there was a point when we felt like it was "easy".
Well, it's not.
John started walking way too early. It's great because he's super active and keeps up with Lucy. They can do a lot of the same things. However, we missed out on (at least a couple months) where he would just sit and not feel the need to move, move, move. We like to say he skipped crawling and walking and went right to running. And that's just what he likes to do inside restaurants. Overnight (at least that's what it feels like) we have become "that family." It always starts out good until the baby decides that there is no food or toy on the planet that will keep him in a high chair or a lap. He must GO. So the last couple times Jerry and I have taken turns taking him for walks around the restaurant, etc. Lucy will do pretty well for awhile, but then it gets hard for her when her brother is getting all this "special" treatment. Hence. much of the dinner is spent out of our booth and outside, walking around or bending, catching, squatting, shushing and cleaning. Most importantly no one eats well (in my case I don't eat at all).
Saying we are on a break is a little easier than trying again and feeling embarrassed. Thinking of starting again with breakfasts because they are quick.
Any good pointers from moms out there? How to keep 1 and 2 year olds still for short periods of time (we don't use electronics to keep them busy).
Help!
Comments
Post a Comment