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FACT: Going to a restaurant pre-kids required minimal preparation and minimal brain power.

Also FACT: Going to a restaurant WITH kids- it can be like the hardest math problem you’ve ever tried to solve.

The good news is that if you keep your expectations in check and you come prepared, it’s really not so bad and honestly, it can be pretty enjoyable. Plus, you’ll likely leave with some core memories and some more confidence for the next time you go out to eat!

Prepare for the WAIT.

There is going to be a wait, and that’s ok! But just like adults don’t like waiting- your little one likely won’t either.

Make an early reservation. If your kids like to eat at 5 PM, make a 4:30 reservation because you aren’t actually eating food until about 20-30 minutes after you order it! I personally make a 4 PM reservation because it’s usually less overwhelming for the littles because there’s less people eating. And they usually aren’t starving right when you get there! Then you’re leaving right as things get busy and you can get home in time for a normal bedtime!

Don’t put your baby in the high chair until food is about to come or you have something to keep them busy! Depending on how speedy the kitchen staff is, they might be sitting for 30 minutes or more and then won’t want to sit again when the food comes. Put baby on your lap and read and play with them, or take a little walk around the restaurant before the meal comes to get some energy out. Pop them in the high chair if you have something fun for them to do- like the items below!

These are my favorites for baby and toddler at restaurants! Keep those hands busy and minds engaged to help them hold on until the meal is served!

Prepare for the MESS.

I get it. You don’t want to deal with a messy baby when out- so yes, if you want to avoid the yogurt or red sauce when baby is eating at a restaurant, do it! Pick something easier, and better yet- pick something they have eaten before! It’s just one meal- sure they can try new things from your plate, but it’s ok if they don’t want to! New places can be overwhelming, so familiar foods can help!

I ALWAYS pack TWO of my favorites for the mess. Just two:

This BIB is the BEST. You can roll it up and button it closed to travel - so if it’s a little messy at the restaurant, you can button it up and clean it at home. And the silicone bucket is more formed so you can even use it as a bowl and put pieces of food in there! They can pinch the pieces and pick them out (try it- it’s very entertaining for them!

And I always pack this high chair cover. It gives baby support, keeps their bottom off of the dirty restaurant high chair (I mean have you SEEN some of those high chairs? EW!), and it’s machine washable. Pop it in the machine and you’re good to go!

This **high chair cover** is everything!! And it doubles as a shopping cart cover, too. Wins ALLLLL around.
Do you spy the **suction busy mat?** I talk about it below, but it’s AMAZING too!

Prepare for the MEAL.

If you want to get some travel utensils for baby you totally can! Or you can just bring the utensils that they usually use at home along with you! Bring their travel water bottle so you don’t have to worry about a drink at the restaurant, and its just like they are dining at home.

Pack some travel utensils or the one's that they use at home! Pair it with their travel water bottle, high cover cover and roll-up bib and you’re golden! **These are all my favorites**!

Prepare the MOUTH.

This is an area parents often forget about and then their baby is trying to bite the edge of the table or the high chair! Bringing the busy mat that sticks to the table and some teethers solves this problem! You can even put a teether on a pacifier clip and attach it to baby! That way they have something safe they can put in their mouth if they need it!

The busy mat is our FAVE! It’s really a genius design! Pop those teethers through the silicone strings and nothing falls to the ground! **We LOVE it!**

And my BEST tip:

Ask for the check right when you know you aren’t getting any more food. This helps speed up the exit process. We like to ask for the check when the waitress or waiter comes to check on us after our meal is delivered. If we are getting dessert, we also order that right when the food comes to keep things moving! They should understand- dining with kids is HARD!

You don’t need to **weigh down your diaper bag** with things you only use every once in a while! Pack an old backpack and leave it in the car! Then bring it in with you next time you go out to eat. AND you’ll have it in the car in case you last minute decide to eat out. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!!

YOU GOT THIS!

Remember to laugh through it. The last time we went out, Penelope was shrieking with glee and Paul was imitating her….. which made her do it more and we were by far the loudest people in the restaurant and all I could do was laugh! If people are mad that you’re making a racket, then they should think twice about coming out in public. Kids are people, too.