Tips for Taking Kid’s to Restaurants

Entry #238, August 8, 2010

Last week I had a post about family tips to help you save money and enjoy yourself at amusement parks. On that same trip we ate out at several restaurants, and we had many people tell us how well our children behaved in the restaurant. For my husband and I, we never gave it a thought of what age to start taking our kid’s to restaurants.  I think when we were coming home from the hospital after the birth of my daughter we went to a restaurant, and it has been non-stop since!

I do know parents that don’t want to be embarrassed by their children, and therefore don’t go to restaurants. I think you have to do what is right for you and your family. Personally, I think the younger they are exposed, the quicker they adjust, and you in-turn adjust to them.  I think the longer you wait, it makes the experience too new and “experimental” and then you never want to do it again!

Start with casual dining before trying formal restaurants

Here are some tips that I found that are good rules of thumb to follow.  Remember, it doesn’t have to be five star dining, just start the experience early.

Keep Kids Healthy.com has a good article on how to ease children in to eating in restaurants, and help you stay sane too!

Rules for Restaurants

Want to get your kids through an eating-out experience without a meltdown? Here are a few guidelines to make it more fun for everyone.

• Do keep paper and crayons or pens in your purse at all times. This way, the gimmick of kid-friendly restaurants
  

  Don’t allow kids to order expensive food they haven’t eaten before

  is yours anywhere. Older kids can play hangman and “dots.”

• Don’t make a federal case about dressing up. Most restaurants these days don’t mind casual clothes, and by choosing one with a relaxed dress code, you’ll eliminate one area of dissent.
• Don’t let kids have too much sugary soda before the food arrives.
• Don’t let the waitperson serve meals to the kids first. If you do, the timing will get screwed up: They’ll losepatience before you’ve finished your main course.
• Don’t bring other kids who have more limited palates than your own do. You don’t want to get an “ew” thing going.
• Do allow a field trip or two to the bathroom or the lobby. Accompany your kids the first time to demonstrate acceptable behavior.
• Don’t let your child order some expensive item she’s never had before without having her first try an appetizer or tasting portion.

Consider these tips when deciding when to take your children to a restaurant.  Remember, you aren’t just eating, you are teaching patience, good manners, family traditions and enjoying being around others!

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