Pink Tiered Dress • Animal Print Slides •. Starbucks Cup • Similar sunglasses • Zara romper • Sesame Street Shoes

We were at the beach this weekend for a soccer tournament and it was a blast – I will post on that later. But before we left it was my husband’s birthday and we celebrated in style – at a kid friendly restaurant, where of course it was only a matter of time before all kids had meltdowns and we threw electronic devices at them.

Here’s the funny thing – before I had kids I had always said that I would NEVER give my kids any sort of electronic device when we went out to eat. I envisioned perfectly well-behaved kids keeping themselves busy with conversations and coloring, like WE did when we were kids – insert eye roll.

Then something important happened – I actually had the kids, and like everything else that went right out the window. Have you tried keeping three ravenous kids occupied at a restaurant? I have a law degree and passed bar exams in two states – and let me tell you I believe that was easier than keeping a three year old happy while waiting for food at Red Robin.

Every time I cave in and throw those electronics at our children I ask myself – how did our parents do it? I get disappointed and vow to try harder next time to carry on hour long conversations with the kids, but it’s always the same thing.

The other day, however, while watching one kid throw herself on the ground under the table in a raging tantrum, I realized something. My parents took me out to eat dinner maybe once a month. It was truly a rarity and a reward. I was probably well behaved because going to a restaurant in itself was such a treat, and it happened so infrequently.

Now contrast this with my children – I’m not sure if it is good or bad, but my husband and I eat out several times a week with our kids. We do this mainly because we both work, and with the kids activities it can be hard to get meals on the table at home. We also do this, however, because we like to – especially since I don’t like to cook. Keeping kids entertained becomes more challenging when it is just part of your ordinary routine and not just a treat for special occasions.

Also, back to the “when I was a kid” talk, I am sure that when I was a kid I didn’t just sit there perfectly well behaved for the entire meal. We had crayons, games and when I was older books. Dare I say if there were electronics they would have probably used those too?

So yes, random lady who always feels the need to look disapprovingly at us in restaurants, I get it. You never had to resort to electronics to keep your kids happy when dining out, great for you. But guess what – you didn’t even have the option so that was a pretty easy decision for you. Now with all these options and eating outside the home being more common, let’s cut other parents some slack. If you can make a dinner out work without using them – great, you are my hero, and I need to know your secrets immediately.

On the other hand, if you throw an iPad at the kids the minute you sit down to prevent some major meltdowns, you are also my hero, because chances are those electronics are allowing everyone else in the establishment to enjoy their meals in peace. Kudos to parents everywhere who are just trying to make it through a dinner without a major meltdown, let’s try to reserve the judgey mom looks and get back to our mozz sticks and cheap beer.