As a single mom it is a rare treat to be able to eat in a restaurant. The joy of someone else doing the cooking and cleaning, keeping your water glass full and making sure the kids have lots of napkins is worth the price occasionally.
Since it is such a rare treat many children are not on their best behavior. It’s a strange place, they may be a little excited and they are going to be curious, not the best mix for a pleasant dining experience.
In order to make sure your kids are restaurant friendly, you need to do a little preparing beforehand. The tone of dinner in your home will set the tone for dinner in a restaurant. Make sure that you provide your kids with a variety of things to eat so they are used to trying new things. Steer away from sodas and sugary treats. You want your kids to eat a balanced meal, if you don’t want them filling up on sweets at a restaurant, don’t let them do it at home. If they can eat one way at home and then you ask something different of them when you are out, you are setting them up for failure. Also, as old fashioned as it sounds, make your kids ask to be excused. Sometimes it’s necessary to stay at the table until everyone is finished.
Have the kids help at home, let them set the table, choose the menu or help prepare the food.
Take a kid friendly activity with your for the wait time. Make sure it’s something that won’t be intrusive to other diners.
Let them know this is special. Make it something they look forward to and afterwards, if they have cooperated, let them know how proud you are and that you look forward to taking them again.
Discuss their behavior beforehand. Talk about using inside voices, staying in your seat, treating food appropriately, and not disturbing the people around you.
Preparing your kids before will allow you and everyone around you to enjoy your meal. Plus that feeling of pride when you are leaving and the elderly couple sitting by you remarks about what little angels your kids are, totally worth the effort.