Mother’s day is Sunday and many moms are going to be treated to Sunday lunch at a restaurant. But if you have small children it might not be such a treat.
Here are 5 tips for making the restaurant experience a more pleasant one.
- Choose Carefully
It doesn’t have to be Chucky Cheese but you’ll have a big head start if you pick a kid friendly restaurant. Look for:
- Casual
Probably not the best time to try that new upscale place everyone’s talking about. Pick a place you know offers high chairs, kids menus, perhaps some distractions – crayons, puzzles, etc. - Speedy Service
Find a place where you can order quickly and there’s not a long wait for the food. Even as an adult I’ve wanted to scream and throw something when I was hungry and had to wait 30 minutes for my meal.
- Timing is Everything
It’s Mother’s Day and the restaurants are going to be packed. Maybe a Mother’s Day dinner or mid-afternoon meal would be a better choice. Kids can get a nap, the restaurant will likely be less crowded and you can still get home early enough to go through the getting ready for bed routine.
- Preparation Pays Off
Pack your bag of diversions – crayons, coloring sheets, some favorite snacks, a few toys, books. I’d avoid the electronic diversions. Maybe that’s just because I’m an old guy so I think kids still need to interact with adults while at the table. That means eye-to-eye contact. But, if things get desperate, I’d probably pull out the iPhone before I’d pull out the paddle.
- Discipline if Necessary
I remember taking one of my sons to the bathroom because he was out of control at a restaurant. I remember it because of the disapproving looks I got from my in-laws (his grandparents) when we returned to the table. But he had worked hard to earn the bathroom paddle break and it was worth the few minute interruption to make the rest of the meal more enjoyable.
If you totally lose control – and it can happen to the best of parents – simply ask for your meals to go. It’s no fun but neither is it right to destroy the restaurant or the experience for other diners. Besides, if they have kids they’ve “been there, done that” themselves. They’ll understand and appreciate you for it.
- Practice at Home
This is the most important tip of all but I saved it for last because, frankly, if you haven’t been doing this it’s too late for this year. But you can start now and be totally prepared for Father’s Day.
Here are some basic manners to teach at home so it’ll be natural for them to behave this way in public.
- Sit at the table – No it’s not ok for them to run around the restaurant because “they’re just kids.” They can learn to sit at the table even if they’re finished with their meal. Read or color.
- Sit up at the table – Again, I’m an old guy so I think kids and teens shouldn’t slouch like they’re in a lounge chair nor drape themselves over the table. I don’t have a problem with elbows on the table – I never did understand the reason for that rule – but putting your chest and head on the placemat is a little too much.
- Keep the noise level low – Meals should be a fun time of family interaction but that doesn’t mean yelling, screeching and, I know Dad’s jokes are really funny but, try to control the explosive laughter.
- Use the utensils and don’t throw food. However, playing with some food is just irresistible. It probably won’t hurt to let the little one squish jello between their chubby fingers. As long as it isn’t disturbing others, what’s the harm? They’ll likely outgrow it before college.
I hope these help and … Happy Mother’s Day.
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