Hate going out anywhere with my toddler

Have you got any mum friends that you can go out with ? Distraction for him but may help make you feel like your not alone in this, we have all been there and it’s horrible 😅 I can’t take my little one out for coffee as she gets bored just sitting there. Have you got any local small soft play cafe type things ? They are very handy for kids that get bored easily ! Xx

Firstly, try and stay calm because they do pick up on your emotions! Could you take anything to distract him when you think he may start kicking off? Try not to get too upset about it because it’s a normal stage that most go through, I always take the pushchair to make a quick escape if I need to 😂

Our local garden centre has a small soft play section, if you have something like that near you it could be a good compromise to keep him entertained while you relax a little. In all honestly though I wouldn't take my LO out to eat or drink if I were the only grown up, it's too much effort 😂 we do have a bag of toys, books and activities that lives in the car for when we go out to eat/drink. He only sees them when we are out so the novelty of them doesn't wear off. Between those and snacks we can usually manage a quick breakfast/lunch and 1 drink. As others have said though going out with other mums is helpful as they have been there too and will likely have their own child with them to help entertain yours x

You should definitely take him out more and get him used to being places. Taking him to the park, walking outside, even stopping by Starbucks or whatever and getting it to go, but slowly allowing more time in the place you’re trying to go. But my kids have always gone with me everywhere so they’re used to going out places with me. I have a 4 yr old and 2.5 yr old. They actually love going with me everywhere.

As someone else said, they will pick up on your emotions so try to work on your anxiety. It is a challenge at this age so I totally understand! We tend to do things that my little boy will enjoy rather than coffee shops/restaurants. Go for a walk & feed the ducks, the park, soft play, toddler sessions at trampoline places etc. & if they do kick off in those environments people are a lot more empathetic because they get it! If we are going somewhere to sit down for food we let him take a couple of toys but he also watches something on my phone - don’t come for me, screen time works for us when we need it! I find it so much easier to get out the house with mine, patenting inside the home is way more stressful for me x

What he’s doing is age appropriate, it’s more rare to find a toddler that can sit through a whole meal than not. We take ours out a lot so he gets exposed to it but even now some days he doesn’t want to sit still and that’s fine. I’m not a totally chocolate free and screen free parent so in some cases they will come out if needed. Also I try to arrange things in places where he can walk around like a park or soft play or a small cafe that you know he can walk around in. I bring his toys, cars so he can play and keep entertained.

We hardily go to restaurants or coffee shops because he won't sit still. If he's hungry enough and the food is there straight away, and we even put him in a high chair, he will be happy for 10 mins max. Like others we go to parks, softplay, play groups. Mostly in the pram as he won't walk for long and will still try to run away. We play alot in the garden now it's nice weather. Going somewhere with another mum is a good distraction as they'd usually stick together and listen to the other adult.

Yeah, I only ever really go places my toddler will enjoy because otherwise it is no fun for me. One tip though, my daughter absolutely loves ice! I managed to get a drink in a cafe and drink it all at my own pace because she had a cup of ice with her drink that occupied her for ages.

i feel this! sometimes ill take mine the park or what ever and it ends in tanrums even then. we went one day last week and ten mins after getting there i had to carry him back to the car kicking & screaming. next day he behaved like an absolute angel. they cant be predicted only managed 😂