Family Relationships

Bring books and toys to survive the waiting period between ordering and when the food finally arrives. When the kids are really young, sometimes you have to eat in shifts - Dad takes the kids for a walk while you eat then visa-versa. My friend used to bring cereal as an appetizer for the kids, I found that this sometimes spoiled their dinner, but you could try it. Don't forget to bring the necessary sippy cups, as all restaurants are not kid friendly.
-- Sharron

Don,t worry about what others think, don,t try and have the perfect well behaved cherub. Take the barbie dolls and some colouring in.
-- Kath

Try to find a topic that everyone is interested in.
Tell the kids about your day and ask them to softly discuss it while we eat.


-- Sharon

I keep a special, purple bag with special toys and coloring books inside it. When we go out for a meal we have something special to play with that we don't get to see often.
-- Betty

I FIND THE BEST WAY TO MAKE EATING OUT AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE IS TO GO TO A RESTURANT THAT HAS BUFFET. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR 3 YEAR OLD OUT SINCE SHE WAS 1 1/2. WE LET HER PICK WHAT SHE WANTS TO EAT AND DRINK,THEN MY HUSBAND AND I TAKE TURNS GOING UP AND GETTING OUR DINNERS. SHE ENJOYES GOING OUT IN PUBLIC AND IT LETS HER EAT RIGHT AWAY AND NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR HER DINNER.
-- AMBER

First, I always pick a restaurant that is "kid friendly" in that it has a kid's menu with lots of choices ( I always let her choose a meal for herself rather than eating off of my plate). Second, I make sure my child has napped so she is not tired at irratable at the restaurant. Third, I bring along a small napsack with crayons, paper, small books, snacks and a plastic cup so my child is entertained while waiting for the food. The snacks help when she is really hungry and the plastic cup is for restaurants that do not provide them for children's drinks.
-- Ellen

Go to buffet restaurants!
No waiting for your food, and
there's a wide variety to
choose from, so it's easier
to please everyone.


-- Selina

Since we don't eat out all that often, for one night I don't worry about their dinner being healthy. I have a son and a daughter,
we but one dinner off of the kids menu for them to share. And since I'm not wasting too much money, I don't pressure them to eat. If I stay calm,they usually do to.


-- Dyan

Well, I take them to the places they want to eat I order want an I can afford.


-- jacky

Keep it short, go to a child friendly restaurant - ie pizza and one that you don't have to wait to long to be served. Don't expect to much - you can't just have a long chat over coffee when they have had enough take them home.
I have found with my two year old twins if you take them out for dinner often they improve each time.
-- Tracey

I give my 2 1/2 year old daughter a choice of two or three items from the menu that I know she will eat. That gives her enough controll that she will (usually) eat her meal. It also gives me enough controll that I know she is eating something nutricious.
-- Carrie

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