My boys embarassed me today

A quick preface: I am very good about telling myself to take the pressure off of taking 3 toddlers out by myself, that "whatever happens, happens" and I will never see "these" people again.

So I took them out to lunch today and for the first time the boys were just terrible. They were pitching a fit in their stroller between shovelling food in (at least they ate). They now know how to take the shoulder straps off leaving just a 3 point harness on and so they can pull up on the bar and stand up...lovely. So they were trying to pull stuff off the table. Then I would turn to my 3 year old to give her some attention and they would just be barbaric...screaming, throwing their milk sippies on the ground, etc. Ugh...it was so embarassing. :icon_eek: I just wanted to crawl under a rock.

 

You are right, you will never see most of those people again. They are just testing the waters and it will get better and easier. I enjoy taking them out now, for the most part. They are such good boys, give them time!

 

I'd just like to say I am so extremely impressed that you can and do take 3 toddlers out for a meal by yourself!!! My boys are almost 2 and their sis is almost 9 and I still think I'd need dad or another helper to come along as well!!!! Hubby and I took the boys to Hometown Buffet last night and we did alright- but still yikes!!! So I say kuddos to you!!!!! Keep it up- as I am sure they will start to understand the rules and be more comfortable the more you do it!
I need to take my own advice!!!
Lanie

 

Rachel, first off kudos for you for taking them out to lunch by yourself. :bow2: I have found it has gotten much easier the more I do it. And we definitely all have been out and had times like that. <_< :hug99:

 

QUOTE(summerfun @ May 5 2008, 02:01 PM) [snapback]756652[/snapback]
Rachel, first off kudos for you for taking them out to lunch by yourself. :bow2: I have found it has gotten much easier the more I do it. And we definitely all have been out and had times like that. <_< :hug99:

My thoughts as well. I am in the same situation as you having three kids really close together. I think it is so important to be able to go out, even if it is difficult, for sanity purposes.

I forgot to add that you are right. Most likely you will never see those people again. Who cares what they think.

 

Be proud of yourself. You managed. The more you get out, the better.

 

I have definitely been there Rachel! :hug99:

 

QUOTE
They are just testing the waters and it will get better and easier


I wish I could say it got easier here with age... but for us it has only gotten worse. Unless it involves drive thru I don't go out with the kids to eat.

You are very brave!

 

It is a hard thing to do. But like PP said, the more you do it the easier it gets. I tend to take them for an early lunch (11am) when it is less busy. I also ask for the bill and to-go packaging when I order so that way I can flee early if needed. Never had to so far. I kind of forget there are people around. I just get everything done fast just in case.
Cari

 

You are a brave girl! We won't even take our 3 out to dinner when there are 4 adults LOL.
I wouldn't worry about other people. Kids are kids and generally people are very understanding of that.

 

Oh I hated those moments. Uggh!

 

Rachel, you rock Momma!! I take my three somewhere everyday. We are all happier that way!! But, I rarely take them out to lunch by myself - probably only 4 or 5 times. Good for you!! You may inspire me to do it more often!! OH, and you're right - don't worry about those people

 

Wow you are brave and doing the best you can and for that you are awesome but it scares me a bit to look forward to those days and I only have 2!!! Yikes!! LOL

 

Some days are better than others, right?
Yesterday, I took my little ones to their big sister's Mother's Day performance. Her singing was wonderful, but the babies were awful (actually, they acted like they were 2 ). We barely made it to the car before I burst into tears. Days like yesterday make me want to tie my tubes & make me admire moms with more than 3.
Tomorrow will be better.
Good luck to us all!

 

You should be proud of yourself; handling three toddlers period, much less out to lunch is a HUGE daily accomplishment.

As for other people - well, i imagine you didn't take them to a white tablecloth french restaurant, so anyone who was eating where you were had to know that it was kid-friendly. And I bet that for all of the mortification you were feeling there were ten people thinking compassionately "oh, man, have I been there!"

That said, it's been a couple of weeks since i took my two out alone; too much twisting and jumping out of high chairs, walking in opposite directions....face it, two toddlers are exhausting, much less THREE!

 

You know, as somebody who advocates for people to get their kids out of the house, I have never taken them out to eat alone! HA! I always have at least one person with me. Now, if I wasn't trying to eat as well, that'd be different.

They do relatively good when we're out, but here are some guidelines we follow:

- Have wet ones (or other we disposable cloths) in bulk
- Have bibs (don't forget safety pins for when they throw a fit and want them off!)
- Use the restaurant highchairs and clean them off first
- Bring some foods that are guaranteed to be eaten in case it's the day for them to hate their favorite food (we do raisins, cereal bar, animal crackers, mandarin oranges)
- Don't let them eat after their normal time (if you have one. this always results in disaster for us)
- I just started to bring 1-2 small toys that they would entertain themselves with for a few minutes. When those hit the floor, they are gone.


There have been two occasions when I have been so embarrassed by their behavior that I wanted to crawl under a rock. I was sweating, nervous, etc. I hate that sympathy look that strangers give! Give me some help for pete's sake - don't just stare!!! :help:

 

Wow Rachel! Like pp's I'm SOOOOO impressed that you took them all out to eat alone. I've never done it with only two, I can't even imagine with three. If I were there to see it I would be thinking "Holy cr*p look at that bravo woman out to eat with 3 toddlers! She rocks!!!"

 

I've been there and done that. :hug99:

 

It happens to the best of them and us!!! :hug99:

 

Good for you ...
I see alot of parents , even with singletons, afraid to brave the world with rugrats, but you just have to do it.
and like everyone else has said ...it will get better, but you already know this!!!