Going Out to Eat With Kids-Tips to Make it Easier

by Catherine Ipcizade | More from this Blogger

Before I had kids, I loved eating out. My husband and I would go to sweet little restaurants by the beach or splurge on dinners out at fancy Italian restaurants with ten tables in the whole place. I loved the quiet. I loved being able to hear glasses clink and being able to whisper to my husband. Then I had kids.

Now-I no longer measure a restaurant by how succulent its' stake is-I measure it by the noise factor and whether or not they have booths.

Here are a few tips from a mom who has been there. My kids are 6 and (almost) 3, and the past six years have included many a meal out.

Booths-I've always loved booths, but if you've got a toddler who is just out of the high chair or a preschooler that frequently behaves as though he or she has ants in their pants, booths are the way to go. They allow a little "wiggle room" without the danger of falling off a chair and prevent the child from hopping down and taking off. Even if your kids are normally well-mannered, I feel that it's always better to be safe rather than sorry. Taking a few precautions now means no worry and an enjoyable meal for all.

Noise-I'm not advocating that you always go to The Hard Rock Café for lunch or dinner, but I do think it's important to realize that your children are CHILDREN. They do make noise. They do occasionally cry when they shouldn't. They do occasionally fight when they shouldn't. So for me, rather than subject myself to the horror of possibly having to walk out of a restaurant, I simply choose more family-friendly restaurants that allow the children to laugh when they feel like it without stares from other people. I save the quiet restaurants for date night.

Crayons-Yes, I like restaurants that offer crayons. Why? Because they keep kids entertained. No matter how well-mannered your children are, they do not have the same ability to sit in one spot, relaxed like you do. If the restaurant you visit doesn't have crayons or some other distraction for kids, I recommend bringing your own.

Timing-Going out to eat with little ones is all about the timing. For a meal to be successful (which means no temper tantrums or meltdowns) you need to be conscious of your child's routine. Don't schedule a lunch for 12:30 if you child usually takes a nap at 12:15. It won't be enjoyable and you'll likely wind up wishing you'd waited.

I actually love taking my children out to eat. No, they're not perfect. Sometimes they are naughty and sometimes they're little terrors, but I've done my best to teach them manners. I don't think children can learn how to behave at a restaurant if you never take them. But I do firmly believe it's wise to take a few precautions before you head out the door to make sure you all have a good time. Meals out should be special. Parents who insist on making their children adapt to an adult world are setting themselves up to be disappointed. There will be plenty of time for those quiet restaurants when your kids get a little older. But for now, while they're little, a little give-and-take goes a long way.

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Learn more about Catherine Ipcizade

Cathy Ipcizade is 30 years old and currently resides in Southern California. Prior to coming to California she grew up in Arizona.

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