We brought our toddler on date night: A tale of chaos and misery
by Becky Vieira posted in Parenting
?Hurry,? I begged my husband. ?He?s almost done eating, and that?s our last defense. Once the food goes we?re screwed.? I was desperate. Pleading, even. ?We have to get out of here. Now.?
We weren?t in true peril, or being cornered by a wild animal. Though you?d think that based on my frantic ramblings. No, our lives weren't in danger. It was worse. We were out to dinner with our toddler.
It all began a few weeks ago. We?d recently moved and found ourselves in a new city without a babysitter. Valentine?s Day was approaching, I assumed we?d stay home with our son and eat takeout. My husband had other ideas.
?Let?s take him with us,? he proposed, looking far too optimistic for someone who?s dined in public with a toddler. He knew what it was like. Yet he remained steadfast in his plans no matter what heinous, hypothetical scenario I threw his way.
Of course we?ve dined out with our son before. At restaurants that are family-friendly, or spots we?ve been to many times and knew well. But this was real dinner. At a semi-fancy restaurant. We?re talking not quite crystal and china, but cloth napkins and candles. It was serious business.
When the day was upon us I tried to do everything right. I made sure my son was well rested. Fed. My diaper bag was overflowing with snacks and toys. We arrived early, were seated immediately and placed our order within minutes. We?d reviewed the menu online and came prepared. We were in it to win it.
Things w...
-------------------------------- |
|
COMPETITION: Win a 5-star Family Holiday in Limassol, Cyprus
27-04-2024 08:05 - (
moms )