Dining Out With Your Children
by George Chatzopoulos
Dining out with your family can be fun, but it can also be difficult if you have younger children joining you at the table at an eatery like Chip's Family Restaurant. There are a few simple steps you can do before the meal to prepare your little ones for a nice and fun dining experience.
Before you head off to the restaurant, talk with your children about dining etiquette and how they should behave in a restaurant. Let them know that at home it's okay to be silly and loud at times at the dinner table, but in public, they should act more respectful and quiet. Explain that there are others dining around them and it's important to let them have peace and quiet. Dinner is a time for people to converse and chat about the day's events and at a restaurant, this gives others the chance to do this quietly. You can also explain that people are enjoying a cooked meal by someone else and it's an important time to relax from the day's events and stresses. Let your children choose what they want to wear for going out to dinner. You can turn this into a special occasion and make a big deal out of it. They can dress up, dress down, or go in costume. Another great thing to do is let your child choose where you will be dining at. Letting them feel like they have some control will make them feel grown-up and they may end up behaving well out in public.
Before you head off to the restaurant, talk with your children about dining etiquette and how they should behave in a restaurant. Let them know that at home it's okay to be silly and loud at times at the dinner table, but in public, they should act more respectful and quiet. Explain that there are others dining around them and it's important to let them have peace and quiet. Dinner is a time for people to converse and chat about the day's events and at a restaurant, this gives others the chance to do this quietly. You can also explain that people are enjoying a cooked meal by someone else and it's an important time to relax from the day's events and stresses. Let your children choose what they want to wear for going out to dinner. You can turn this into a special occasion and make a big deal out of it. They can dress up, dress down, or go in costume. Another great thing to do is let your child choose where you will be dining at. Letting them feel like they have some control will make them feel grown-up and they may end up behaving well out in public.
Allow your child to be part of choosing what they will eat for their meal. They can opt to try something new and exciting or go with the same old fare. They will think that it is exciting and adult-like to browse through a large menu and then pick out whatever they desire. You should come prepared with a few tricks up your sleeve if you're kids get really bored or if the meal is taking too long to be served to your table. A good set of coloring books and markers will keep them occupied for a while. You can even bring books and little toys that they can quietly play with while you wait. It may not be a bad idea to go to a restaurant that is loud, vibrant, and full of music, because your kids may love the sights and sounds and the background noise can drown out any other wild sounds they are making. If the thought of sitting there for more than an hour makes your kids squeamish, take them out of the restaurant or for a little stroll through the facility. They can look at other patrons, decor on the walls, and even take a trip to the bathroom for a mini-rest.
No matter where you dine, a place like Chip's Family Restaurant can give you and your children an enjoyable atmosphere and feast for a special night out as family that even your tiny tots will love being a part of.
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