Motherhood Updates Part 24
Rowan has now become “that” kid at restaurants. Somewhere between 11 months and 12.5 months Rowan became a terrible toddler. My husband and I used to pride ourselves on how well behaved our child was. The compliments would come pouring in from strangers and friends alike.
“He’s such a good baby!” people would exclaim.
“I know…” I replied in my snarky tone. ( karma people!)
Then one day, he wasn’t. One day out the blue he was no longer content to sit in his chair and sleep or play with a small toy. Nope; now he wants out of his chair- he wants this- to touch that- hit this- bite that….
My spouse and I took Rowan out last weekend. We had been having a picture perfect day, until we decided to stop and grab a bite of food. It wasn’t two minutes in and my terrible toddler started in on us. Eventually we had to come up with a game plan.
“Okay you eat your meal first and I’ll take him for a walk around outside away from everyone.” I said to the hubby
“No – you eat first and I’ll take him out.” he replied
“I have a salad and you have a sandwich – mine’s cold and yours is hot. You eat first and then I’ll come and eat.”
“I’ll eat as fast as I can…”
“Please do – my sanity and appetite depend on it…”
So my husband ate his sandwich and I took little man for a walk – I could see through the restaurant window, my spouse eating his food like he was in a competition. He pounded back his meal and guzzled his pint of expensive craft beer – never taking a minute to savor it. Then like a relay race I was back inside, tapped him out and I was off to finish my food too. We’ve decided that in the future Rowan is not ready to be in a sit down restaurant. Actually, until he’s paying for the meal himself, I might not ever step foot in a food place with him again.
So the next time you’re out and you see a single diner eating their meal like it might be their last, don’t judge. Sure there’s a chance they have the drunken munchies and don’t realize what a scene they’re making, but they also could be new parents and their partner is in the wings with the crying child just counting the seconds until it’s their turn to eat. Like Wrestle Mania – tap in, tap out – go for the win…
Motherhood Updates 