quick clicks

preschoolers today articles

preschoolers today q&a

children today articles

children today q&a

community & groups

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Food, Fun and Family

Dining Out With Children

By Carolyn Campbell

For children younger than 3, Wright suggests that parents choose fast food restaurants or other restaurants designed for young children, order take-out food or get a babysitter. She says that taking a baby or toddler to a typically adult restaurant is a recipe for disaster.

"It's stressful and nobody enjoys their meal," she says. "Often one person is standing with the baby while the other one eats. It can be anxiety-provoking and not relaxing in the least."

Parents can offer their children a continuum of restaurant environments that begin with fast food and progress to a casual family restaurant without a play area. One good rule of thumb: The more upscale the restaurant, the longer the wait for seating and table service.

Wright suggests calling ahead to see if the restaurant has a children's menu and also to get a sense of whether a particular restaurant welcomes children, so that people won't be resentful that you have children with you. Are high chairs, booster seats, crayons and crackers available? You might also consider asking how long it typically takes to be served once an order is taken.

For older children, parents may want to consider having a "rehearsal dinner" at home, in which they play the waiter or waitress so that children can practice ordering and using their "restaurant voices."

Parents may also want to help the child's meal go smoothly by bringing along a bib, training cup or child-size silverware.

If you arrive at the restaurant earlier than the majority of other diners, the wait is likely to be shorter, and there is less chance of offending someone who has a low kid tolerace level.

Also, if you choose to eat at least half an hour before your child's regular mealtime, he will be less restless, and hunger won't add to his impatience level. Children will be less irritable if they aren't pushed to the limit of their hunger.

Want to see more?

• Dine and Dash: Ten Tips for Dining Out With Toddlers
• Breaking Bread Together: The Importance of the Family Dinner Table
• Fast Food Frenzy: Making the Most of Drive-Thru Dinners
• Talk about it!