DINING OUT WITH KIDS!

8 Sep , 2016 Family Eating

by Stacey Jaffe

Sweaty, messy, scary, funny, not funny, frustrating, embarrassing, gratifying… just some of the words that come to mind when describing dining out with little ones.

Every day is different, equally every child is different, but the fear that overwhelms parents entering a new eating establishment is consistent, particularly if the iPad is running on less than 10% battery.

To make life a little easier, I tend to opt for the more family style restaurant. Places like Delisserie, Roni’s, Cafe Toulous, Chez Bob and Bluebelles cater for the kids and are buzzy so the noise level is just high enough to drown out any high-pitched shouting, whining, tantruming and/or singing. Plus they are all on the loyalty scheme so you can get a great deal!

As with anything, preparation is key. Distractions must be readily available, whether that be books, treats, toys or tablets. There is no room for judgement in this game.

All this being said, when the restaurant doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain, it’s game over.

When a child’s meal takes just too long, or in some cases arrives after the adult’s meal, it’s straight into crisis management mode for parents who have to do whatever it takes to placate their child. For me, this is when I have been known to lose my cool. That look. Some call it desperation, some call it scornful, but really all I want is for the waiter to understand and make it better.

On that rare occasion when it all does go to plan, the food arrives promptly and is to my little one’s liking, the staff are considerate, everyone is smiling, all those stressful sweaty meals disappear from my mind and it is truly wonderful.

 

MY TIPS

• Pick your restaurant well – take recommendations from friends
• Go early
• Always prep carefully – take spare clothes (my son is particularly messy!)
• Remember that no matter how hard you try, how much you plan, children are not robots and will not fall in line just because you want them to, in fact quite the opposite, and everyone else is in exactly the same boat.
• Sit back, try to eat, try to drink, try to laugh, and do your best to enjoy!