Meals Matter

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Question
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My husband and I are afraid to go out to dinner with our 2 year-old son! He refuses to stay in the highchair, and screams at the top of his lungs while we’re in the restaurant. I’m sure it is annoying to other patrons, but we don’t want to deprive ourselves of a family evening out once in a while. Any advice?
Answer
As parents of young children know, keeping toddlers entertained and settled for an extended period of time can be very difficult. Restaurants can have big exploration potential for toddlers, and not allowing them to discover the many new and interesting sights can be frustrating for your child. Consider taking your child for a little walk outside while waiting for the meal to arrive, and try to put him in the highchair at the last possible minute, to use highchair time productively for eating, not playing.

Feeding your child before taking him with you out to dinner can help prevent cranky outbursts. If he has not eaten, be sure to order something that will come right away, such as a bread basket, while waiting for the main course. If your child has missed his nap or is sick, it may be a good idea to consider take-out.
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