Family of 5
Since we've become a family of 5, there have been some unexpected experiences.
Now these are things that we didn't give any thought to before and if we had they wouldn't have had an impact in our decision to become a family of 5. But now that we are a family of 5, these things now impact us... and any other family of 5 with an infant/toddler.
Here are the top 2 things on my list...
1) We can no longer stay in a standard hotel room. Max occupancy in one standard room is 4 people. I supposed we could always say we just have 4 people... but we don't. We have 5.
2) Eating out. This has to be my biggest gripe!
When we go to a restaurant and they ask how many people in the party, we say 5. They look at us and say... 4 and a high chair!?! Yes, we need a high chair but we have 5 people. They ignore us and put us at a table for 4. Generally they squeeze Spencer at the end and generally speaking the other end is pushed up against a wall.
So we are packed in there like sardines with toddlers on all sides. Spencer might be young, but like any other wee one, he grabs for everything. He's got a long and strong reach. If anything is within reach you don't dare get distracted or it will end up turned over or on the floor. This cannot be uncommon! Oh, then remember the other two children next to you that are demanding your attention.
So... you've got your meal pushed off to the side invading the girls' space to keep him from grabbing it. Then you've got the girls' physically leaning into your space because they just want to be close to you. Then you've got Mr. grabby hands exploring anything he can.
We often do sit at a table for 4 and make it work. It can and does work. However, this past weekend someone attempted to seat us at a table that had a max of 4 spots and tried putting Spencer on a corner. No thank you, how about this table over here instead!!!
It turned out to be a very pleasant dinner. We all had our own space, we all stayed in our own space. The girls' sat and ate, double bonus. They even noticed when another girl in the restaurant was having a hard time with her dinner. This other girl was a bit on the loud side (not overly obnoxious) and clearly had a rough time of sitting and eating. We've experienced that! Near the end I'm thanking the girls' for such an awesome dinner. Abby then tells us that the girl is disturbing her dinner. Excellent opportunity to reiterate why Mommy & Momma ask that we sit at the table and eat our meal like grown up girls.
Bottom line... Meals are much more enjoyable if we all have our own space. Kids deserve to have their own spot at the table. They aren't an "extra" to be squeezed in.
Now these are things that we didn't give any thought to before and if we had they wouldn't have had an impact in our decision to become a family of 5. But now that we are a family of 5, these things now impact us... and any other family of 5 with an infant/toddler.
Here are the top 2 things on my list...
1) We can no longer stay in a standard hotel room. Max occupancy in one standard room is 4 people. I supposed we could always say we just have 4 people... but we don't. We have 5.
2) Eating out. This has to be my biggest gripe!
When we go to a restaurant and they ask how many people in the party, we say 5. They look at us and say... 4 and a high chair!?! Yes, we need a high chair but we have 5 people. They ignore us and put us at a table for 4. Generally they squeeze Spencer at the end and generally speaking the other end is pushed up against a wall.
So we are packed in there like sardines with toddlers on all sides. Spencer might be young, but like any other wee one, he grabs for everything. He's got a long and strong reach. If anything is within reach you don't dare get distracted or it will end up turned over or on the floor. This cannot be uncommon! Oh, then remember the other two children next to you that are demanding your attention.
So... you've got your meal pushed off to the side invading the girls' space to keep him from grabbing it. Then you've got the girls' physically leaning into your space because they just want to be close to you. Then you've got Mr. grabby hands exploring anything he can.
We often do sit at a table for 4 and make it work. It can and does work. However, this past weekend someone attempted to seat us at a table that had a max of 4 spots and tried putting Spencer on a corner. No thank you, how about this table over here instead!!!
It turned out to be a very pleasant dinner. We all had our own space, we all stayed in our own space. The girls' sat and ate, double bonus. They even noticed when another girl in the restaurant was having a hard time with her dinner. This other girl was a bit on the loud side (not overly obnoxious) and clearly had a rough time of sitting and eating. We've experienced that! Near the end I'm thanking the girls' for such an awesome dinner. Abby then tells us that the girl is disturbing her dinner. Excellent opportunity to reiterate why Mommy & Momma ask that we sit at the table and eat our meal like grown up girls.
Bottom line... Meals are much more enjoyable if we all have our own space. Kids deserve to have their own spot at the table. They aren't an "extra" to be squeezed in.
posted by Sonya at 12:23 PM
4 Comments:
That is so annoying! We have a family of seven and when conlan was a baby they tried the big booths with him on the end. That ended when a platter of dishes almost ended on him!Even now we have 2 teens and us they still try the big booth and a chair um no thank you! We go for the round tables it makes eating easier and everyone does not have to move if someone has to use the rest room.
Kerry - As I was typing this I was wondering if this holds true with all families that come to an odd number.
It seems that restaurants are reluctant to give you a table any bigger than they have to. I can understand that, especially if the place is packed. But... you still want to have a good meal.
I can understand the many trips to the bathroom!
You know - I really dislike booths. I thought I liked them - the idea being that it would keep children contained. What I have found is that we are all cramped, children are squirmy and in everyone's space and no one has a very pleasant time.
A table though - I have found that's the way to go. With individual chairs, there is just more personal space.
And, like you, I really, really dislike when they discount the baby as in "Oh - three and a half?" Uh..no - she's a whole person. Grrrrr.
I agree with this--it's the odd man, err kid out...out at the end of the table...for two that means Brenna grabs and pulls at everything...she's curious and wants to prod and poke and pull and...you get the idea...I always say we need a table for four or she's gonna have everything in her lap...So just Wednesday I said we need a table for three and a high chair...table for two and a high chair...I almost said what do you say when a handicapped individual comes with a group of three...three and a chair...?? OMG how offensive....so we are a family of three...and one of us needs a high chair...no we don't want a booth if a table is available...she doesn't sit still long enough in a booster although it's enough for her...she needs to be strapped in so she will sit and not stand and try crawling under the table...don't ask me why, don't judge my parenting, just give me a freakin table for three--with chairs--and a chigh chair too...
Post a Comment
<< Home