This TikToker clearly knows a thing or two about eating out with little children, who will refuse to sit still, need the toilet every 20 minutes, pour your chapman down their freshly-changed t-shirt, and eat all your chips with zero remorse. (Do I sound bitter? I’m a struggling mum.)

But we may just have found a hack to help when next you’re out on a family date. @momlikeaboss_ says as a parent, you need to pack a little bag with a pre-meal snack, so avoid any kind of hangry-ness, a doodle board (feel free to ditch the iPad, you know, reduced screen time and all that?), a fidget toy for fun, and a silicone topper that can turn any cup into a sippy cup, amongst a few other helpful knick-knacks. Brethren, this is a survival kit for you BOTH.

Parents — mostly mums, tbh — took to the comments to give some additional tips, like:

• “Also when ordering the kids food, we have it sent with the appetizers, so the kids can eat first and we end up having a hot meal as well afterwards.”

• “I do a small metal lunch box w/the packs of coloring paper, crayons, and stickers included. I also add a toy and a couple of magnets. Keeps them busy.”

• “We grab fast food on our way to the restaurant and give it to them there while we wait for our waiter/order. Saves us so much meltdowns.”

  👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

Going out to eat with little ones is often not the easiest thing, but it can be a fun and rewarding experience for them (and you too). My tip? Have as much support as you can get — spouse, nanny, grandparent, aunty, etc. — and prepare to really engage with them during that time, to get the best out of your time together.

You’re most likely not going to be able to go on an Instagram binge the whole time, but that’s okay; reward yourself with a solo date a few days later 😉

Have any more handy tips for eating out with children? Leave us a comment!

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