Advice for Taking your Child to a Restaurant
You've worked really hard on raising your kids right, healthy homemade food, good manners, great hygiene, all the things. But sometimes, for a social event or just to get out of the house, you like to go out to eat at restaurants. Whether you are meeting a friend, with your significant other or just going with you and your child.
This is ok. You can't stay in the house ALL the time. It's okay to take a break and get out there. And if like many parents, you don't have an "at the ready" babysitter, then it's also okay to take your child to a restaurant. I'm not sure why so many people are afraid of this, it can be done!
Here are some times for starters:
The first time you take your child to a restaurant, you might want to start with something like fast food, particularly if you’re by yourself. Pick somewhere there’s a play area geared for their age. Even so, take a few toys you know they like. It’s ok to take some food too. Ease them in to eating out and keep it from becoming a habit. Maybe let them have chicken nuggets but bring your own carrots to go with it.
When it comes to the play area, give them a time frame. Start out by saying something like, “You can play for 5 minutes then you have to come get a bite to eat.” Or have them eat before they play if you can manage, I find the play, bite, play, bite works better for me.
Give them a time frame of how long they can play before it’s time to leave too. Tell little Johnny he has 20 minutes to play total, tell him when he has 10 minutes left, and 5 minutes left. Use this as an opportunity to teach your child about time as well as get out of the house.
If you aren’t with them in the play area, watch closely. Make sure your child is playing well with others. Make sure they follow all posted rules and don’t get too rowdy. It’s a good chance for them to socialize with others their age.
Now when it’s time to go, they may fight you, but it’s very important to stick to what you’ve said. If you said they have 5 minutes, or after you finished your sandwich etc, that’s what you do. Let them know that this is a treat they only get if they behave for it.
Now, if you want to do something you’ll really enjoy, you may actually want to go to a sit down restaurant. You want someone to bring your food to you and take the dishes away right? You deserve it. You’re a hard working parent and it’s time for a break!
This can be a more delicate matter. You might be the best parent in the entire world, your child acts like an angel! But, somehow, when you get them into a table at a sit down place they are suddenly acting up, crying, throwing things, trying to get out of their seat etc. This is also normal. You just need to figure out the best ways to tamp it down for your child.
First things first, if you’re going somewhere that your child has never tried that food, or never seemed interested, take food for them! Hungry children are not well behaved. You may love Mexican food, but Johnny is probably not going to appreciate that flaming shrimp fajita quite as much.
Order something you’d think they would like, and have back up food just in case. Do you really want to sit there enjoying your food while your child is hungry but won’t eat theirs? I don’t think so.
Second thing, kids just aren’t programed to sit still and do nothing for long periods of time. Sad but true. If they are not going to be able to get out of their seat, bring toys and activities for them. Don’t assume the restaurant will provide it, even if they usually do.
What you bring can vary by age. Crayons and coloring books are good for most ages, even pencils and paper. Rattles (quiet) and stuffed animals work for a lot. Toy trucks and cars are great! Not just for boys, they can roll and move them around easily and without much noise, drive them over their placemat, etc. Action figures and dinosaurs are similar, always easy to play with and you only need to bring a couple.
There’s no need to bring a huge race track or giant castle. Kids just need something to occupy their mind and limbs while they are sitting. Another important part, the most important actually.
Talk to your kid! Whether you are by yourself or with a friend, don’t forget to engage your child in conversation. Reference them, play with their toys a bit and try to encourage their eating. A lot of the reason kids start acting up in restaurants is for attention! Sure part of your deal is you want to escape the parent role briefly, but not entirely. Kids require interaction, and they’ll get it one way or another.
Of course these are only tips and won’t always work for everyone. And no matter how well behaved your kid is, they are going to have bad days, just like you. So keep that in mind if you’re frustrated with them.
