Eating Out with Kids

The BBC recently ran an interesting article about eating out with your children, entitled Toddlers in restaurants - a social battlefield.  For any mother or father of young children, this article doesn't present any new information, but it is comforting to know that I am not alone in the stress of trying to eat out with little ones.  The references to family-friendly restaurants is irrelevant to those of us not living in the U.K., but the advice is good.  I have reprinted it below, as well as a couple of my own personal tips and tricks:

• Go to a restaurant that won't stress you or the kids out
• Go when the toddlers are not too hungry
• Take a stash of books or small quiet toys
• Try and sit away from the romantic couples
• There is safety in numbers
• If your children cannot be quieted take them outside until calm is restored
• Source for above information: Katie O'Donovan, Mumsnet (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12440906)

• Choose low-traffic times to go out, such as lunches, early dinners, and week nights
• Choose a restaurant with good service or a short wait (buffets are great for kids)
• Don't be afraid to use the Time Out - even in public.
• Ask for to-go boxes and the check as soon as your food is served, so that in case of emergency, you can get out efficiently
• Never underestimate the value of carry-out