Before heading out to eat with your charges, consider these 10 tips.
1. Do your research.
Before heading out to eat, consider the restaurants in your area. Visit
their websites or call ahead to confirm hours and the availability of a
children’s menu. Have an idea of what you’re going to order for
yourself and the kids prior to leaving the house.
2. Choose a kid-friendly restaurant.
There’s nothing more stressful than being in a place where you know
kids aren’t welcome. Restaurants with booths and bright lighting and
those that advertise themselves as family-friendly typically are
prepared to warmly welcome children. Kid-friendly restaurants will have
things for the children to do while they wait for their food and will
have a separate children’s menu. Once you’ve mastered eating out at
casual restaurants, work your way up to fine dining establishments
3. Plan to go before hunger strikes.
If you know the kids are typically ready for dinner at 5 o’clock, be
seated by 4:30 so that their food arrives by 5. If you wait until the
kids vocalize that they are hungry before heading out they likely won’t
have the patience to wait for their food.
4. Pack snacks.
For babies and young toddlers, packing puff like snacks, dry cereal, or
oyster crackers can keep them occupied and provide them with something
to munch on should they get hungry before their food comes.
5. Pack small items to keep the kids occupied.
Depending on the child’s age rattles, crayons and paper, magnetic
drawing boards, travel games, or brain teaser puzzle books can offer a
distraction while waiting for dinner to arrive.
6. Plan for an hour. At
kid-friendly restaurants, you should be able to be seated, order, and
eat within an hour. Anything longer than that and the children will
become antsy and be ready to move on.
7. Leave before the crowd.
Timing your restaurant visit to end before the crowd comes in can
ensure you get quick service. Getting the attention of your waitress
when she has just your table is much easier than trying to flag her down
when her section is full.
8. Have active time first.
If you know that you’ll be heading out to eat, give young children an
opportunity to run and play prior to visiting the restaurant. If they
have a chance to burn some energy before heading out to eat they may be
more likely to stay seated while dining out.
9. Bring a backup.
Most family-friendly restaurant staff realizes that kids can be finicky
eaters. Packing a backup of diced string cheese and berries can ensure
your charge eats something should he refuse to eat what’s prepared at
the restaurant.
10. Use natural learning moments.
When dining out there are lots of opportunity to teach and reinforce
good manners and social skills. Be a solid role model and teach your
charges how to enjoy a restaurant meal and behave when dining with
others. Look for opportunities to praise good behavior. Saying things
like “Wow, I really like how you asked me to give you a napkin rather
than reaching across the table for one” will reaffirm the importance of
conducting yourself appropriately and making good choices when dining
out.
Depending on your nanny position, you may or may
not eat out regularly with the children. Since many parents are
concerned about their children’s dietary needs and habits, you’ll want
to be sure to ask permission before taking your charges out to eat.
P.S. This post was proposed to me for publication by Anne Laurie . I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and
under her permission.
See also the link below fore more information:
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