A meal at a restaurant gives you a break from the kitchen, but young children often make the experience stressful for parents. Sitting quietly at a table while the food is prepared is difficult for most children, but everything from your choice of restaurant to the items you pack for the trip play a role in how well your child will behave. Prepare your child before you leave and bring items to occupy him during the wait.
Step 1
Practice proper restaurant behavior at home by engaging in role-playing. Pretend you are dining out when you eat a meal at home.
Step 2
Eat at a family friendly restaurant so your child won't draw as much attention if she is loud during dinner. You are likely to feel more relaxed in a casual dining experience, which helps your child stay relaxed and better able to behave.
Step 3
Explain your expectations for your child's behavior before leaving for the restaurant. Explain that he needs to sit in his seat and listen to any directions you give him without screaming or causing a loud scene.
Step 4
Offer your child a toy, coloring book, small puzzle or similar activity to do at the table while waiting for the food. Bring extra items, letting your child play with one at a time to prevent him from getting bored.
Step 5
Play games with your child while waiting such as looking for items in certain colors. Keep your child engaged to prevent misbehavior.
Step 6
Feed your child a small snack if she gets hungry while waiting. If the restaurant doesn't offer bread or other starters, ask for a package of saltine crackers. Pack your own snacks as a backup in case the restaurant doesn't have any suitable options.
Step 7
Correct your child's behavior if he begins acting inappropriately. Remind him of proper restaurant behavior and tell him specifically which behavior he needs to stop.
Step 8
Walk your child to the restroom or outside of the restaurant if she continues misbehaving. Remind her again of how she needs to change her behavior. Let her know they will leave the restaurant if she doesn't improve.
Step 9
Ask the server to package your food in to-go boxes and leave early if your child continues with disruptive behavior.
Things You'll Need
- Toys
- Activities
- Snacks
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