It’s Friday evening, and my partner, our young child, and I find ourselves at a restaurant. As my husband and I discuss potential vacation plans over our meals, our 2-year-old, Emma, is seated nearby, engrossed in her tablet with headphones on.
For a toddler, she exhibits commendable behavior. Occasionally, we arrange for a babysitter to enjoy a more adult dining experience, but more often than not, we opt for family-friendly establishments. Over the last two years, I’ve been hauling around a substantial diaper bag, packed with everything necessary to handle the unpredictable nature of dining out with a small child. This includes wipes, bibs, spare outfits, and a variety of toys—crayons, coloring books, stickers, dolls, and action figures. It’s quite the load, often requiring us to request extra seating just to accommodate our extensive supply kit!
Despite my efforts, it seems that no matter how engaging the toys may be, my child’s attention span rarely lasts more than 30 minutes. It’s a well-known fact that toddlers have a tendency to be restless. Anyone who claims otherwise is likely mistaken or is resorting to questionable measures.
By the time our warm meals arrive, Emma, once a well-behaved child, is now eager to abandon her chair, create chaos with the salt shakers, or express her discontent vocally. The idea of expecting her to behave like the serene children depicted in classic illustrations is, frankly, unrealistic.
Faced with this scenario, I have three options: take Emma outside to calm her down, distract her with the contents of our table, or allow her to wreak havoc while I attempt to savor a warm meal—something that seems almost mythical in my experience as a mother. More often than not, I end up taking my meal home, only to forget it or leave it on the roof of the car as I drive away.
After countless trips to the store for coloring books and stickers, which only resulted in more requests for a change of scenery, I finally decided to purchase a learning tablet for Emma. I budgeted for this alongside my own indulgences. Why? Because at the end of the day, I crave a hot meal and an uninterrupted conversation with my partner.
Despite the ongoing discussions about the dangers of screen time for children, I realized that Emma doesn’t spend her days glued to a screen. She associates my tablet with connecting with family, singing songs to them, and engaging in educational games for a limited time. A device that entertains her for a short period isn’t going to turn her into a mindless zombie; it simply allows me to enjoy a meal with adults and complete a thought while conversing with my spouse.
Since introducing the tablet, dining out has transformed. We no longer require extra seating for my bag; instead, we can all engage peacefully at the table. When Emma begins to fidget and show signs of restlessness, the tablet comes out, and for her, it’s like a special treat that appears only during our restaurant visits. She remains content for about 30 minutes, allowing us to finish our meal in relative peace.
Yet, I still encounter judgment from others. Recently, a diner nearby expressed disdain for the presence of children with electronic devices, urging parents to engage more actively with their kids. However, as a parent, I assure you that I spend ample time interacting with Emma throughout our day. We encourage her to sit at the table both at home and in public settings, but it’s not a foolproof system—toddlers are inherently unpredictable.
In this world, where dining out requires a balance of parental guidance and realistic expectations, I find that a small amount of screen time can be beneficial. If you believe that this limited exposure to technology is harmful, perhaps you should consider a more traditional lifestyle—good luck maintaining that on social media!
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In summary, balancing the demands of parenting with the realities of dining out can be challenging. By incorporating technology in moderation, we can create a more enjoyable experience for both parents and children alike.