When Jon's gone, I often take the boys out to eat but I always take them to places where I know I can make a quick exit - Panera, Z Pizza, etc. Places where you pay first. Places where you can wander around and burn off steam before sitting at your table. Places where you can easily pack up your stuff and go if, let's say, Nate 2.75 decides to scream.
Last night, I took them out by myself to a real, sit-down restaurant for dinner. This was a huge gamble because things can be dicey post-day care. But I very intelligently picked a restaurant that serves toddler snack plates to help tide them over. I even more intelligently brought them each Dora stickers. Whenever either of them started to do something unacceptable (Nate decided he wanted to go see the bathroom, climbed out of his chair, and started walking away), I gave them a warning I was going to take away their Dora stickers if they did not turn on their listening ears.
We had a great time talking and eating dinner together. I didn't have to pound my food or raise my voice. They were in such good moods they even gave me bites of their dessert. I made sure to praise them throughout dinner for being so good, and the rest of the night I talked about how good they were at dinner. I'm looking forward to more date nights with my little men!
13 comments:
What a sweet post!
Sounds like a wonderful evening. I hope the trend continues.
That's awesome! It's wonderful to see consistency paying off--as in, consistently following through on threats makes the threats work when you need them! Now, what is this place that serves toddler snacks???? And why doesn't DC have a restaurant like that? (Although the last time we went to Cheesecake Factory, they brought out a complimentary plate of sliced bananas and small slices of baguette for the boys. That was pretty cool!
Fantastic! Aren't those dinners wonderful, when all the stars align, everyone's in a good mood, all the food is eaten w/ gusto, no forks are thrown, no cups are chucked! We had a dinner like that last night and I felt on top of the world. Amazing that a good dinner can make me feel on top of the world these days!
Great job Momma! When they are so sweet and wonderful, it makes the Definant Lana/Nate 2.75 so difficult to comprehend! I mean they know HOW to be well-behaved, what is the deal?
For some reason, dinner time really changes my mood. Maybe its the after-work rush that I get worried about or something...but it really stresses me out. But all the stress goes away if the boys have eaten well and there is minimal crap on the floor that I have to clean up.
I am very impressed that you took your boys out to a real sit-down restaurant. Solo. If that's not a SuperMom trademark, I don't know what is!
Awesome! Don't you love it when you get a somewhat unexpected success story?
The perfect reward for "mean mommy". Love it!
That sounds so cute! I've never taken the girls to a real restaurant by myself. It honestly never occurred to me.
Yeah!!!! I was just discussing with another twin mommy how sometimes you don't know what your children are capable of because you never give them the opportunity to show you. The perfect example of how kids can exceed your expectations!
YEAH!!!!! I agree that this was sweet victory for your earlier post about discipline. Limits and consistency. Let's all repeat the mantra! BTW where did you go?
That sounds heavenly.....the only sit down place we can take Michael without a scene is the Japanese steakhouse!
Excellent! It really sounds like you have hit that wonderful turning point with your boys. The one where things stop being ALL work all the time and things like going out to eat are actually enjoyable. Congratulations!
Post a Comment