Sleep Toddler Guide

Dining with kids in a restaurant can drive you, other patrons, and restaurant staff members nuts when your kids misbehave.How can you enjoy a restaurant meal quietly and consistently without your 2 year old causing you to leave the table while you desperately ask the server staff for doggie bags?

First, understand that dining with kids in a restauraunt for the first few times can be difficult because your children simply may not be used to this type of environment.  They’ve been consistently stuffing their mouths with your home-cooked meals and Gerber desserts in the comfort of their very own high chairs, and they have no idea what to expect in a restaurant.

It’s important to gradually introduce restaurants to your kids so they can feel more comfortable with every visit.  Start with a healthy fast food restaurant such as a Wendy’s, where the atmosphere is usually not too quiet and consider graduating to your favorite local breakfast restaurant so your child can ex-perience what it’s like to have a server make your dining experience pleasurable.

Once you start dining with kids, here are a few important points to consider:

1.  Come prepared!  Bring a baby bag with a couple of books, a handful of entertaining but quiet toys, and your child’s favorite snacks just in case the food takes a little too long to be served.

2.  It’s a good idea to request a table in the rear of the restaurant until your child proves he or she can manage to behave appropriately.  This will take some pressure off you if your child starts to get out of hand, and this in turn, will help you regain control of the situation.  Imagine this happening while you’re front and center in a fancy restaurant; arrrgh!!

 3.  If your child starts to misbehave, speak to him or her in a normal tone and explain how children are to conduct themselves appropriately in a restaurant.  If they don’t react favorably explain to them you’ll have to take them outside if they don’t correct their behavior because they are ruining other diners’ experiences at the restaurant. 

Then, if your child doesn’t stop, make good on your promise and take them outside while explaining why you’re taking this action, and come back into the restaurant in about five minutes.  If your child continues repeat the process until either (a) they comply, or (b) you’ve had enough and figure you’ll try again sometime in the near future.  Either way, reinforce to your child how they should behave and don’t forget to praise them when they do behave.

Things you shouldn’t do:
1. Don’t get into an argument with the stuffy people next to you talking about your child and giving you dirty looks because as irritating as their actions are, all restaurant patrons deserve a chance at having a quiet, peaceful meal, and you’ll set the wrong example for your child.

2. Don’t yell at your child for misbehaving! When they see how their misbehavior in a restaurant affects you negatively, they’ll know exactly what buttons to push for the next time. Yes-we all know; kids are that smart!