How many times have you seen a story go viral because a young child was having a meltdown at a restaurant or appearing to cause a disruption for the other patrons and thought about how you could avoid these types of situations with your own child? There are many reasons these uncomfortable situations occur. Sometimes children have sensory issues or diagnosis that make restaurant eating a bit more cumbersome and sometimes it can be simply not anticipating that the change in routine makes it difficult for the child to adjust to eating out. Here are 7 mistakes (and we all make mistakes) to avoid when taking eating out with kids that might help you and your child enjoy the occasional restaurant outing.

7 Mistakes to Avoid when eating out with kids

Relying on the cups from the restaurant

We want the best for our children and sometimes we feel like they want something because we want it. When the truth is they are happy with receiving the same routine, you have always done, because it was the best. Your child’s cup is clean, BPA free, and easy to hold and manipulate so they are least likely to have a spill. Bring your child’s cup preferably with a healthy drink but if you must order a drink ask for water and lemon or your preferred version of milk. Try to avoid the sodas and “fruit “drinks. Punches and lemonades are full of sugars and dyes and not good for our little one’s brains.

Not practicing the outing at home first

The best way to help your child adjust to this different environment in which they cannot get up and walk around as they choose is to practice by playing restaurant at home. Help the child come up with solutions to their needs at home during restaurant play so that if issues come up at the restaurant, they are ready. Help them see what it feels like if the person sitting at the table behind him does not want to take a sip out of their cup or share their meal, for example.

Forgetting to bring busy activities

Please try not to bring a screen or have the child using the phone. It may seem easier, but it has the opposite effect on your child’s ability to focus. Instead bring paper and crayons and color pencils or even easier bring a magnetic doodle board. The child can write and draw and move the lever to erase it and start over. Books are also great.

Choosing a Restaurant that is not kid friendly

Think about any sensory issues your child may have. Is the restaurant too dark or too light, too warm, or too cold? Does the restaurant not receive children well? You will know this because they have no children’s menu or seating for young toddlers.

Not checking the menu ahead of time

You already know what foods your child likes to eat. The restaurant is not a place to make sure your child tries a new vegetable. If you want to make sure they get all their components of food, bring a cute little lunch box with the extras so your child can have the foods they like and they will be less likely to become fussy.

Bringing hangry child to the restaurant

A child should be eating at least every 4 hours. It is not reasonable to expect them to miss their regular lunch time because a special restaurant is planned for an hour and a half later. Please give your child a fruit salad or a protein drink to hold them over so they can enjoy the restaurant without a growling tummy that is sure to cause some friction at the table.

Giving the child the sugar filled sauces and drinks

It is very surprising the ingredients you can find in a simple ketchup or ranch sauce. Sometimes there are 6-10 ingredients including the dyes, sugars, and preservatives. Do not feel bad about brining your own sauce for your child. Avoiding these sugared sauces will help you and your child at home when it is time to put them to bed and they are not all wound up from the extra sugar.

No matter the child, if you avoid these 7 mistakes, eating out with kids is likely doable. If you practice or pretend to be at a restaurant several times before you go, not only will you have some valuable time spent with your child but it will make eating out with kids much easier for you because your child will know what to expect and how to get what they need. Children thrive when they feel safe when they can anticipate what will happen in their environment, so I recommend “playing restaurant” be a priority.

If you need more resources on restaurants for children check out the blogs here: Kid Friendly Restaurants in the Triad – Triad Moms on Main | Greensboro, Winston, Burlington, High Point or here:Restaurants with Family Meal Deals – Triad Moms on Main | Greensboro, Winston, Burlington, High Point

by Dennette Bailey

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