Twin Tips- A Check List When Eating Out (Guest Post)

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So you’re having twins- lucky you! Guess what? You have found the perfect spot for sharing tips, pointers and advice about having twins/multiples.

This week we are tackling the topic of eating out with twins in tow. Enjoy the perspective of five different mom’s of multiples. First up is Erin. Make sure you read her bio at the end and visit her site!

It’s not often my family dines out. But when we do it often needs to be a planned occasion rather than a spur of the moment decision as I am a planner and need to be prepared for such an event.

My Dining Out Checklist:

1. Recruit reinforcements.

Dining out by yourself with twins is an adventure I do not recommend. Con…er…ask another adult to come along, preferably your spouse.

2. Select a restaurant.

Choose somewhere that is family friendly. Do not attempt a family dinner at a fancy establishment, the end result probably will not be a positive one. Some restaurants we frequent are Applebee’s, Friendly’s, and Outback Steakhouse. My personal favorite is my local Family Diner. Family diner’s are just that “family” dining…oh….and easy on your wallet as well.

3. Choose your meal time.

Try not to visit a restaurant during their busiest meal times. Aim to arrive before or after their breakfast, lunch, or dinner rush. You do not want to be caught waiting in an itty bitty area with a gazillion other folks waiting for a table.

4. Choose your seating wisely.

If at all possible, sit in a booth. One child and spouse on one side, and the other child and spouse on the other. Do not attempt letting your twins sit on one side all by themselves. This will only end in disaster. Make sure your children are sitting on the inside of the booth in order to minimize escaping. And I say minimize as they can still slip down to the floor under the table. I wouldn’t know this by experience…nope, not me!

5. Do “the scan.”

You moms probably know exactly what “the scan” is. It’s when you walk into a store, someone’s home, a restaurant, or any place you’ve never been before. It’s when you quickly scan your surroundings for possible weapons of mass destruction. Scan your seating area. Move away any items that can be used against you or others at some point during your meal. These items would be salt & pepper shakers, the sugar shaker, and other condiments that are not fully sealed. You also want to scan your table for items that can be used as “toys”. My twins LOVE the sugar packets, the jelly packets, the creamers, and the containers that these are stored in. These items can actually provide a few minutes of entertainment while you are waiting for your food to arrive.

6. Chocolate milk & straws.

Chocolate milk to a two year old is like a six pack to a twenty-one year old. Add a straw and your twins will feel like it’s their special day.

7. Share your meal.

Depending on the age of your twins, share your meal. Most times my boys are too busy checking everything out, that they barely take two bites of their food. My husband and I usually order meals for ourselves and ask for extra plates for the boys.

8. Have fun & don’t stress.

The most important part of your dining out experience is to have fun and not stress. Yes your kids may be loud, yes they may be naughty one or two times, yes they may make an incredible mess, but who cares. Try to remember that you are all together as a family. You don’t have to wash dishes when you’re through. You don’t have to break out the power washer to spray off the floor and table. You can actually just sit there and enjoy.

My name is Erin. I am a full time working mom to 2 year old identical twin boys, and wife to my best friend for 5 years and counting. In my spare time (because I have so much of THAT) I enjoy photography, blogging, tweeting, and catching up on the latest in reality TV. You can find Erin over at Goldylocks and Her Three Bears.