Friday, August 8, 2008

They lock the doors when they see us coming

We don't take K out to eat often. In all honesty, we don't dine out much as a family anyway. But when M was a baby, then a toddler, we went out to eat fairly regularly. She was a fine, albeit tiny, dinner companion. She enjoyed looking around at the people and listening to the clinks and drones of the restaurants.

K? Not so much.

We attempted to try out a new restaurant in town when K was a toddler. We did everything right (we thought). We went on a week night. We went early (4 pm). There was no waiting for tables. We made our food decisions quickly and were just waiting for our meals to be cooked.

We gave the kids all the crackers they wanted while we were waiting.

It turned out we weren't waiting all that long though. K decided that he didn't want to be there, at the restaurant, any longer. He stood up in the high chair and refused to sit.

I told him to sit. He screamed at me. He swung at me.

He quickly spiraled out of control.

I carried my screaming toddler out to the car, leaving my husband and daughter at the table. K kicked and hit and attempted to ruin my hearing forever. We reached the car where I had planned to strap my son in his car seat to get him to calm down.

Well, that was fun. Anyone who's tried to do this seemingly simple task to an unwilling child knows what happened. He became stiff-board-boy. I had to physically bend him and try to get the straps around his arms at the same time. Keep in mind that he is continually kicking and hitting all the while.

When I finally forced him into his seat I closed the car door and stood outside in the cold Minnesota air. It was quieter. We both had time to calm down.

When my husband and daughter emerged from the restaurant with our food in to-go boxes, I wasn't really hungry anymore.

And I knew a little boy who wouldn't be going to any restaurants any time soon.

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This was probably 2 years ago or so. Our restaurant manners have improved a little since then, but this was the doozy restaurant experience so far. I'm hoping D will like to eat out like M did. Maybe if I had some of the colorful new kids' meal toys from Burger King I could have entertained K better. Do you have a similar story? Blog about your dinner with the kids horror story and you could win some cashola from BK and the Parent Bloggers Network.

This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Burger King Corp.

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Awesome Mom said...

I am glad that we have not had to deal with that. My kids are quite good and love to go out to eat. I think they enjoy the people watching and getting to color on the place mats.

Amelia Sprout said...

I hope we've done well getting M good at eating out, but I am sure we will have our bad days.

I saw your vote for Minneapolis on BlogHer and I had to come give some love to a fellow Minnesotan.

Windsor Grace said...

I don't have any children, so I can't share a similar story.

You are a great writer! I love this story! I can see you standing outside your car trying to calm down and not get too mad at a child. Very entertaining and well written.

Mayberry said...

I hate that stiff-board thing! I'm all for natural consequences as a method of discipline, but it sure doesn't work when your kid HAS TO get strapped in.

Damselfly said...

I think the reason people become hard of hearing is having babies and toddlers scream in their ears!

Fun post.

louann said...

Heather I'm sorry to hear this. Each child is different but I do hope that the little one will be a good dinner partner =)

With my eldest, we had absolutely no problem eating out with him. But with my little guy, we avoid eating out as much as possible because there is NEVER a time that there is NO commotion when he is around.

Jeff and Charli Lee said...

Great story. My kids always LIKED to go to restaurants because we always made them eat their vegetables at home and they rarely had to deal with veggies when we ate out.

Mandy said...

I love these blog blasts. Personally, I have lucked out that my kids haven't thrown a temper tantrum in a restaurant yet. Which, I am sure, means my day is coming.

robkroese said...

Geez, what a nightmare.

Angi said...

:) I've been there.

I hope everyone is feeling better now. I remember sick kids & teeny baby days, and as I type I am wondering how I can seem so far from those days already *sigh* but my baby is almost TWO already!!!

Sandy said...

That is exactly why our family sticks to Country Buffet, Pizza Ranch, or the Hy-Vee Grand Buffet.

Anonymous said...

We do not go out much so the kids are always so excited or distracted we get out scar free.

 
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