The best time to dine out, travel, or shop with babies and kids[SIZE=-1]
Timing is especially important when you?ve got kids in tow. Get it right and you?ll enjoy a tantrum-free meal out with your family. You?ll whiz through the supermarket and the mall. And when traveling by plane, you might actually get to nap, catch up on some reading, or watch the movie. Here are four ways to catch a break when you?re out with your family. Here's the best time to ?
Eat out with infants, toddlers and preschoolers
Prime time: Sunday through Wednesday before the usual rush (11:30 am for lunch, 5:30 pm for dinner). Why: That?s when restaurants are less crowded and you?ll get faster service, which means there?s less potential meltdown time for your kids. But stick to family-friendly restaurants nonetheless.
Hint: They have high chairs and/or supply paper and crayons to keep kids busy. But bring your own bag of tricks (pacifiers, toys, paper, and markers) just in case.*
Travel by plane with a baby or toddler
Prime time: Naptime or bedtime for long flights.
Why: Both you and your child can sleep. Be sure to bring along your child?s favorite teddy bear or blanket. At first, make flying fun with crayons, books, and plenty of snacks. Plan to go from activity to activity. Then, during your child?s regularly scheduled nap or bedtime, stick to the routine--get her cozy in her favorite blanket, give her some milk to drink, and sing her favorite lullaby. Ahhh.
Hint: Avoid early-morning flights on weekdays so you and your baby don?t have to compete with harried business travelers.
Grocery shop with your kids
Prime time: The day after your supermarket?s ads come out, and right after breakfast or lunch on weekdays.
Why: This is when you can get good deals and there are plenty of on-sale items left in stock. When the aisles aren?t clogged with after-work and weekend shoppers, you?ll navigate faster with your cart and kids. If your kids have eaten before you leave, you?ll spend less on ?gimme? items like fruit roll-ups and crackers.
Hint: Bring snacks for your kids to munch on while you?re shopping.
Visit the mall with your kids
Prime time: Weekdays, mid-morning, or late afternoon?not during naptime (toddlers) or mealtime.
Why: Shopping is nearly impossible when kids are tired or hungry. And if you bypass the food court, you?ll save time and money. Weekdays are also ideal because malls tend to be less crowded. If you?ve got a baby, though, you can make lots of retail headway while she naps, so be sure to time your outings around her sleep schedule.
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