It’s a casual Friday evening. My partner, our toddler, and I have decided to enjoy a meal out. While we savor our steaks, my partner and I engage in a lively discussion about a vacation we hope to save for, and our 2-year-old is happily perched in her chair, headphones on, engrossed in her tablet.
Truthfully, she’s fairly well-behaved for her age when dining out. Sometimes we hire a babysitter for a night off, but more often than not, we choose family-friendly restaurants where she’s welcome.
For two years, I’ve been carting around a hefty bag filled with everything needed to tackle any potential dining disasters: wipes to tackle messes, bibs, extra outfits for the inevitable spills, and a plethora of quiet toys. Crayons, coloring books, stickers, dolls, dinosaur figures, you name it. It’s like a portable daycare in there!
Seriously, at this point, we have to ask the hostess for an extra chair just to accommodate my “Mary Poppins” bag. Even with the best toys in the world, my toddler can only be entertained for about 30 minutes, tops.
Fun fact: toddlers are not known for their ability to stay still. Anyone who claims otherwise is either spinning a tale or employing some questionable methods on their children.
By the time our meals arrive, my little one is ready to transform from the sweet, serene child to a miniature tornado, ready to dump salt shakers and potentially create a scene. Asking her to behave like a perfect little angel is as effective as wishing for dragons to be real; they simply don’t exist in my world.
I face a dilemma: either take her outside for a breather, distract her with sugar packets, or let her run wild in the restaurant while I try to enjoy a warm meal for once in my motherhood journey. More often than not, I end up with a lukewarm meal to-go that I usually forget on the roof of the car as I drive away.
After yet another trip to the store for coloring books that barely hold her interest, I finally decided enough was enough. I got her a learning tablet. I budgeted for this screen device alongside my wine and beer allowance. Why? Because I’m exhausted, and I want a warm meal and some adult conversation with my partner.
I constantly hear warnings about how detrimental screen time can be for children. I find myself feeling guilty about her using these “devices of doom.” But then I remind myself that my child doesn’t spend all day glued to a screen. She loves using my tablet to connect with family members and sing her favorite songs. She gets ample “off-screen” time throughout the day, and a little educational content a couple of times a month isn’t going to turn her into a mindless zombie. It allows me to enjoy a meal while having a meaningful conversation.
Since introducing the tablet, dining out has become a whole new experience. We no longer require an extra chair for my giant bag. We can chat and enjoy our food without the constant chaos. When she begins to whine and our usual tricks fail, the tablet comes to the rescue. To her, it seems to magically appear whenever we visit the local eatery. Miraculously, she remains quiet for a blissful 30 minutes while we finish our meals.
Yet, there’s always someone nearby who tuts disapprovingly: “These children and their electronics! Can’t parents just engage with them and teach them to behave?”
Trust me, from the moment I wake up until I struggle with bedtime, I’m actively involved with my child. We reinforce dining etiquette and encourage her to behave appropriately in public. However, toddlers are just that—toddlers.
I only have a couple of hours to maintain decorum in a public setting, and I want everyone, including myself, to enjoy their meals. You saw us for a mere 10 minutes and deemed us unfit for modern parenting. If you think even this minimal screen time is ruining children, you might want to consider a lifestyle that would make even the Amish raise an eyebrow. Good luck posting about that on social media!
In conclusion, while opinions on screen time vary, every parent must find what works best for their family. In my case, a learning tablet has become an essential tool that allows me to maintain some semblance of sanity during our dining experiences.
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Summary
Navigating dining out with a toddler can be a challenge, but modern solutions like learning tablets can help parents maintain sanity and enjoy a meal. Balancing screen time with real-world interactions is crucial, and finding what works for your family is key.
Keyphrase: toddler tablet use at restaurants
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