I posted “Beach with 2 Kids: Part 1” at the beginning of June and then completely left you hanging. Sorry about that!
Littlest Buddy was a champ. He was in a great stage for traveling. Not at all mobile, but still old enough to enjoy the scenery. I schlepped his stroller down the stairs and across the sand every single time we went to the beach, but it worked perfect because it allowed him to nap. He napped most of the times we went to the pool, as well, but we took in the water twice (his first time swimming) and he really enjoyed it. His long-sleeved rash guard, flap hat, and natural baby sunscreen kept him from getting too much sun.
Little Buddy wore his long-sleeved rash guard most days, too. All three of his rash guards are bright (think highlighter colors), which is all I buy because it makes it significantly easier for me to keep track of him while we are around water. At the pool, Little Buddy really enjoyed the little squirt toy that he found in our condo. In the photo above, he can be seen attempting to transfer the pool water onto the rocks, which we gently stopped him from doing.
When we are in Florida, our hands-down favorite activity is eating fresh fish. We indulged every evening of our three-day trip.
On the first night, Daddy told Little Buddy, “We are taking you to a very special place that is one of Mommy and Daddy‘s favorite restaurants in the whole world. We’re going to eat tasty fish!” Little Buddy, who actually does like fish, responded, “I just had oatmeal, so I’m fine.” What a let down.
He ended up eating a few bites of our food but didn’t want a full kids’ meal, so we saved money that evening.
I will say that keeping kids busy at restaurants is no easy task. I really appreciate when the server provides crayons and paper. Even better are the restaurants that have disposable paper tablecloths. Little Buddy gets bored of coloring quickly, though, so I often bring little animals for him to play with.
Anonymous
Did you really think Little Buddy was going to be all excited to eat in your favorite Big People restaurant. I loved his comment, I just had oatmeal, so I’m fine. I think next time I would order food to go.
Anonymous
I agree. I was a picky eater as a child and never sure what to do if I were put in a situation where there might be food I didn’t like. Would I get in trouble for not eating? I probably would have said the same thing your son said until I could see what the food was like and be sure that I wasn’t going to be pressured to eat something I didn’t like. Just because I liked food (fish, for example) that my mother cooked at home didn’t mean that I’d like it somewhere else, somewhere I didn’t know.
It’s awfully hard to be little in an adult world and not to know or have control over what’s happening. Your excitement about what you were going to eat and your son not knowing himself about this restaurant could have added to the confusion. I do admire how he came up with a quick solution (oatmeal) that he thought was acceptable to the adults. It might have helped if you showed him the menu pictures ahead of time and discussed what food he could have chosen for himself other than the “tasty fish” you wanted. You could have assured him that he wouldn’t have to eat it if he found out he didn’t want it. It helps if you slow down and think like a 3 year old. Remember Fred Rogers? He was very good at doing that. He had great empathy for children and knew how to make them feel secure and confident, using a slow and quiet approach.
Kristy
What a blast! The boys sounds like they had fun.
I thoroughly enjoy feeding my children “dinner” then going out to eat. Then they are happy to snack on chips or bread. (They’re 5 and under) I don’t know what it is about restaurants but my kids never enjoy food there. Huge waste of money for us.
Good idea about bringing little animals for little buddy to play with.
Anonymous
We love this area of Florida and especially freshly-caught fish! Would love to know the name of your favorite restaurant.
Ellie
Local Catch. What are your favorite restaurants?
Anonymous
My parents never had no problems taking 3 of us kids to restaurants at 4 and under we sit quietly tell the food came. My mom didn’t feed us before hand.
Anonymous
There were no coloring books and crayons at restaurants when I was growing up. We were told we had to behave ourselves like everyone else in the restaurant and that was all there was to it, end of discussion. If we were bored, we were told to look around and watch what we could see, but to keep quiet. Same way at church or out shopping or anywhere in public. Misbehaving was not an option! Some parents these days don’t seem to teach that and they let kids scream or run wild, which is very annoying for everyone.
Anonymous
Growing up we weren’t given food choices. We either ate what was fixed or go hungry. And had to eat everything on our plates.
Anonymous
My mom was a lousy cook who grew up with nobody to show her how to cook. So I chose to go hungry rather than eat some of the stuff she came up with. I’m serious. We all rebelled. When I was 12 or 13, I took over in the kitchen. That was the first time we had onions, pepper, herbs, or real butter in our cooking. My dad was so happy. So parents, if you’re going to insist your kids eat what you cook, be sure first that it’s edible.
Anonymous
Why didn’t your mom or dad buy a cookbook? Not asking in a mean way. My mom never taught me how to cook, so when I got married, I bought a Betty Crocker cookbook. And years later, still learning from other people’s tips.
Anonymous
You can’t learn everything from a cookbook. Sometimes beginning cooks are too intimidated or confused by the ingredients or the cooking methods mentioned in recipes. I know someone (adult) who had to be shown how to crack an egg. Believe it or not, I can’t make coffee. I can cook a full Thanksgiving dinner blindfolded but I’m clueless about coffee because I don’t drink it.
Anonymous
Oh please. What little you remember about dining out as a toddler is through a child’s point of view. Your parents, regardless of what they remember, had similar experiences as parents today. Give me a break.
Eileen
When I was growing up, there were no fast food places. Going out for a meal was a big deal, for special occasions. A treat, a planned event. We were thrilled todo it and awed by the choices on a menu. We stared in wonderment at the waiters, being led to our table, the finery of the clothing of other fellow diners. It was an event and we sat quietly experiencing it all. It seems Ellie, that your family really enjoys Florida and what it can offer. I hope you all have many more beach days ahead of you this summer and many more fantastic meals to try! Enjoy. Happy summer. Eileen
Anonymous
Yep, back when restaurants had tablecloths and were quiet. My mom told about the time she took me to a restaurant when I was a baby and the waitresses all wanted to hold me. They took me back to the kitchen to show the rest of the staff. Can’t you see that happening today? A restaurant and a time so safe that you handed your baby over to strangers to be taken on a tour without you.