Pet Peeves

Okay, so right now just one is really coming to mind. And I feel compelled to share it in case there are waiters or waitresses out there reading this. Perhaps most don't have kids and don't think along the same lines that we parents do.

I can't stand it when we are ordering our drinks and it's Robbie's turn. Now, he's only three. His mind sometimes takes a little longer to process, especially if he isn't paying attention and we catch him off guard. That doesn't mean he is incapable. Why can't the waiter or waitress wait the few extra seconds that it takes for his mind to organize his thoughts? Why do they immediately have to start rapid firing his drink choices? He isn't asking them what they have... and they always mention the worst things first... such as soda or chocolate milk. See, there is no nutrients in these drinks (okay, chocolate milk has milk in it, but at dinner time the sugar isn't necessary). If they feel compelled to speed up the processing of a three year old, then mention the drinks that have some type of substance... milk, orange juice, maybe even apple juice or just good ol' water.

And another thing, if he orders something such as a grill cheese sandwich or chicken strips and we ask if we can substitute the side for fruit or a vegetable... it isn't necessary to then ask "So you don't want the french fries?"

See, this only sabotages the whole dinner for the parents (and even for the waiter/waitress). Because now, our child has ordered a sugar drink - or we have upset him by not allowing him to - and he is eating just french fries for dinner. Then you wonder why we are impatient for our silverware or for that extra plate. If you hadn't given him the choice of chocolate milk and french fries, we would be having a peaceful or at least enjoyable dinner at our own pace rather than just trying to wrap the whole thing up as quickly as possible and get him out of there as fast as we can.

So, I have said my peace... and now I shall go upstairs to complain about it a little more to Kasey.