I used to think having dinner at a restaurant would be easier as my son got older - and in many ways it has - but it is still a test of patience at times. While he's much better about eating different things on the menu, it can be a real challenge to keep him in his seat the whole meal.

To be honest, we avoid restaurant meals when we can help it, but sometimes we could all use a break from our routine. We go to restaurants prepared and bring a backpack filled with crayons, paper, and a few small toys. Sometimes I even bring a small bag of snacks so he's not starving and cranky while we wait for our food. Our problem usually happens when he finishes well before my husband and I do. At times he is just done sitting at the table and feels the need to get up or even worse, whine about wanting to leave.

We've tried keeping the conversation directed at him, playing cars and trucks while we finish our meals and, on a few desperate occasions, we've handed him a phone app to play. Giving him an electronic diversion is my least favorite thing to do, but sometimes we just want to get through the last ten minutes of our meal.

It can be difficult for a little one to sit through dinner, but there have to be more ways to keep a kid occupied. Do you have any suggestions? Please share in the comments.