Parents: the no life phase?

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Yes he is a challenge...

Here are some tips for taking a toddler to a restaurant.
-Make sure they have a kids menu that they can color.
-If they don't supply crayons, bring your own.
-Bring snacks with. ie Goldfish, pretzels, etc.
-Always, always, always order their food first. Preferably when the server takes your drink order. That way their food comes out first.
-By the time your food arrives they're already bored with theirs and usually want to try yours.
-You would be surprised how well behaved kids get when they have a scoop of ice cream in front of them.
Fyi, TGI Fridays usually has balloons and little Etch-a-sketches at the host stand. (its just a shame their food is not that great

)

 

[deltablack22]

Your youngest is 3 weeks old!

Having the 18 month old you outta know that the little one is going to suck the life outta you for the next couple months. I wouldnt have dreamed of letting someone watch my son at that age.
Me and the wife were pretty much like you described when he was so demanding, but like you said - it'll get better with time. I would just suck it up until they get to an age that you deem "manageable" for a babysitter and go from there. I'm not trying to come across as harsh, but its the reality of parenthood.
-my two upside down pennies

 

[jennythebugg]

i disagree with catering to children espescially to toddlers they need to learn how to behave properly in public places . if you don't start right off with it then you end up having the kid that screams and throws things and gets up and runs around and disturbs everyone else in the resturaunt ( you know the one i'm talking about!). when mine were toddlers (they are now 14,12,5)they learned that if they became a disruption they got in trouble . the first time they got in trouble was an automatic loss of desert. if they did something else they had to go to the bathroom with me where i give them the 'you better behave talk', third time i took them to the bathroom and went corporal, nothing major just let them know you are serious- thats the way my parents were ,and i was that way too, ask tobin i have people come to the table and tell us how well behaved my kids are, that is a pat on the back for the kids as well as you(you should see them light up with that compliment!)... don't get me wrong at home my kids can be pains in the butt, but out in public and at other peoples homes they are polite and respectful.
and yes having cheerios and goldfish around for toddlers is a lifesaver.

 

[deltablack22]

Originally Posted by jennythebugg
if they did something else they had to go to the bathroom with me where i give them the 'you better behave talk', third time i took them to the bathroom and went corporal, nothing major just let them know you are serious.
What do you mean you went "corporal" jenny? Do you know some Marines?

 

[sinner's g]

Can you go for a walk and push the girls in stroller? Once the little one gets a little older, it'll be easier.
Plan a date night in, when the girls are asleep, soft music to dance to, candle light, cook dinner together or get take out. Or do whatever it is ya'll do.
As for a babysitter, if you really want to go out, have someone over went the girls are asleep. Not much to handle. How long does the little sleep at a time? You might get a pizza. lol.
Take the baby montiers and sit outside on the porch and just talk. You don't always have to do something, just spend time with each other.

 

[jennythebugg]

Originally Posted by DeltaBlack22
What do you mean you went "corporal" jenny? Do you know some Marines?

 

[team2jndd]

I don't know if anybody else mentioned this because I didn't make it through the whole thread but... If you know another couple in the same situation you could always work together. You watch their kids and your own one night while they have time to themselves and you do the same for them. It works because you know that they themselves are parents and you need not worry about your children and you don't have to feel like you are putting them out because you are returning the favor. Plus, it lets the kids be around other children. (not particularly in your case because they are so young but perhaps for older children) Oh and you don't have to pay them lol. Just a thought.

 

[reefreak29]

I just read thruogh everyones posts , the wife and I have a 3 year old( will be on monday) and one on the way

, anyhow the first year for me was tough because we never really got out of the house we didnt trust anyone to watch are kids but are parents and there an hour a way. then year 2 was extremely trying I have a very defiant son but its getting easier . me and the wife go for walks after dinner and can take him to the park resturants and movies norw wich is cool. and thank God my parents take him every 6 months so we can get out for a weekend. its very tough on a marrage to raise little ones you just have to try and grow together instead of apart . its hard for use too

 

[beth]

Believe me a babysitter can handle the two children. Instead of taking time off away from each other, hire a babysitter once a week, and go out for a couple of hours together. This will do a lot more for your family and marriage then the "together but apart" routine happening now.

 

[seasalt101]

Originally Posted by Beth
Believe me a babysitter can handle the two children. Instead of taking time off away from each other, hire a babysitter once a week, and go out for a couple of hours together. This will do a lot more for your family and marriage then the "together but apart" routine happening now.
plus what beth said the kids will learn to respect adults as authorative figures and also help the kids with socialising (sp) with others besides family, just don't use a 12 year old baby sitter 16+ i would say but i would get one of those hidden moniters to spy on the sitter for safety reasons...tobin

 

[crimzy]

Originally Posted by Beth
Believe me a babysitter can handle the two children.
While you may be right, I consider this a risk not worth taking. I can tell you that when I am taking care of both by myself, it's not easy. They do the whole double team crying, whining, everyone wants to be fed at the same time, etc... it's very overwhelming sometimes. These are the times when I have to just take a deep breath and roll with it. However, I do not trust some 17 year old who has no connection to my girls at all to handle the situation well.
But things are looking up. We have made arrangements for our parents to babysit this Wednesday so we can go out. I'm excited because this is the first time we will have gone anywhere alone for about 4 months, (my wife was on bedrest at the end of her pregnancy). This should be fun.

 

[jennythebugg]

yaaaaay ! you guys have fun!

 

[cowfishrule]

Originally Posted by crimzy
I'd imagine that taking your 2 1/2 year old to a restaurant is a challenge.

you have no clue..
when kids get bored, they become figidty and mis-behave.
keep them occupied or entertained, and you'll get through it.

 

[cowfishrule]

Originally Posted by jennythebugg
and yes having cheerios and goldfish around for toddlers is a lifesaver.

 

[crimzy]

Originally Posted by COWFISHRULE
you have no clue..
when kids get bored, they become figidty and mis-behave.
keep them occupied or entertained, and you'll get through it.
You're telling me! We tried to go to a quick breakfast this morning... nice and relaxing right? My daughter spilled the water, dumped the jellies all over the table, insisted on having two suckers (that she dropped on the floor then wanted more) and continuously tried to crawl over the table to my wife. All this and we had goldfish, cheerios, crackers, sippy cup and we ordered our food as soon as we got there. The funny thing is that she was actually pretty good this morning, relatively speaking.

 

[mimzy]

hhhm.... maybe what we need to do is figure out a way to outsource pregnancy and childrearing. awesome!!

 

[nvmycj]

Pedicare or Benadryl elixir work wonders! Zzzzzzzzzzzz........

 

[crimzy]

Originally Posted by NVMYCJ
Pedicare or Benadryl elixir work wonders! Zzzzzzzzzzzz........
You mean for the baby or me?

 

[smartorl]

Originally Posted by crimzy
You mean for the baby or me?

Well, whatever floats your boat, lol. There were many times when I would prefer sleep to just about anything.

 

[rslinger]

Ok I got kids the ages 1 2 3. I feel the pain. And yeah I love to take my kids with me but I don't feel like paying money to go out to eat and never enjoy it. Daddy I need this daddy I want that. I am done. Things I hear so much I don't even at attention anymore. I keep hoping that when at least two of them are over four it will be easier but I know that is just a dream. But It makes it all worth it we you get that little kiss or big hug. That is what I live for. Or at least that is what I have to keep telling myself. Lol. But really you get into the groove it gets better.