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Jessica Parker on Dining Out with Children: “It’s Not Enjoyable”
If the thought of taking your little ones out to eat makes you want to crawl under the table, you’re definitely not alone. Even the glamorous Jessica Parker has her hands full when it comes to dining experiences with her young son, Sam. In a recent chat with E! News, the busy mom of a toddler expressed that heading to restaurants still fills her with anxiety. “He’s still so young, and I’m still trying to figure out how to do it in a smooth and graceful way,” she admits. “It’s downright terrifying.”
While Jessica might be frequenting swankier establishments than your local diner, the stress of dining with kids is universal. “You arrive at the restaurant, hoping to not disturb the patrons around you, feeling anxious, rushing through the meal — it’s not enjoyable at all,” she shared, and honestly, can we get an amen?
Most parents can relate to the chaotic scene of digging for lost crayons and coloring books beneath the table while juggling a watered-down drink and shoving cold food into their mouths. This very struggle inspired Jessica to create her own family-friendly eatery. Located in Los Angeles, “The Kiddy Café” is designed to be a haven for parents looking to unwind. Complete with safe toys and wholesome ingredients, Jessica believes it’s perfect for “kids aged 0 to 109.”
“We just want you to feel at ease,” she explains, “and know that your kids are playing with safe materials. We’ve gone above and beyond to ensure it’s a thoughtful environment for families — because we are a family too.”
Even if most of us won’t find ourselves at Jessica’s chic spot anytime soon, it’s comforting to know that even a celebrity who can afford all the help in the world still faces the same challenges at mealtime. She’s so rattled by it that she felt compelled to start her own restaurant! It’s a true testament to the delightful chaos that comes with dining out with children.
As frustrating as it can be, the only way for kids to learn how to behave in restaurants is through practice. They will make mistakes, and parents will have to step in and guide them. Eventually, it’ll all click, and the nightmares of spilled drinks and flying booster seats will be a thing of the past. As a mom with a well-behaved five-year-old, I can assure you, it does get easier. Hang in there, Jessica, soon you’ll be savoring that cold Filet Mignon without a care in the world.
If you’re interested in more parenting insights, check out our other posts here. For those looking to expand their family, visit Make a Mom for valuable resources. You can also find helpful information about infertility at Mount Sinai.
Summary
Jessica Parker opens up about the stress of dining out with her son, revealing that even she feels anxious in restaurants. This inspired her to create a family-friendly restaurant where parents can enjoy meals without the usual chaos. Dining with kids can be stressful, but with practice, it gets easier.