It is a beautiful Sunday and you think of your favorite food in your favorite restaurant. It is a good idea to get ready, go out and have family lunch or dinner with lots of fun and talk. But suddenly a thought of your kid strikes your mind and you drop the idea as you remember, the last time you have visited the restaurant and how he/she spoiled your mood. And you talk to your self “oh god it was horrible experience, I don’t want to go to restaurant with kid as everyone was looking at us because of our attention seeker ……and the biggest was he didn’t eat properly so after coming back I had to cook a quick egg sandwich for him. If after going out also, I need to do the same then no way; I can’t do this. It’s better to cook something quick and eat at home only!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Well if this is the scene for you too then here is good news for you. As I always say “you are not alone”, once in a while everyone had to pass through this so no need to worry, no need to drop your idea just keep in mind what not to do and you are ready to all your way to your favorite food:
Here we will discuss the cause of this: Mistakes Parents make while dine out with kids:
Time constraint: Whenever parents plan to go out either they look for restaurant time or meal time for them but not for kid. If your and your kid’s meal time is same then it’s a plus point for you but if not don’t go out at your time. Actually you should go for meal around 15 minutes earlier of your kid’s meal time so your kid won’t be very much hungry as well as not so full. So he too can enjoy the food.
Lunch time is preferable because many restaurants serve dinner really late! and by that time your kid will be either very hungry or very tired. And second restaurants won’t be really full so you need not to worry about surrounding people.
Order kid’s food: Normally when parents see “kids special” in menu they feel this is nice. My kid may like this and order that too but please don’t. Reasons are 1. If you will order kids food, your kid will always expect something different for him. 2. When your food will come either he will ask for your food or he will play with his/your food. 3. He won’t eat anything properly as kids get confuse with multiple choices. 4. This will add cost too.
Instruct to get food for kids first: Parents think they will feed their kids first then will eat peacefully. But trust me you won’t as if you will feed him first he will be free when it’s your time to eat and free mind especially free kid definitely not good option as they will be surely up to something.
Stack up toys: Whenever parents plan to go out, they like to keep couple of toys handy. Well not a bad idea if you keep it in car but not good idea too if you are planning for meal. Yeah you can take his/her all-time favorite toy (if he/she has) but don’t pack the toys because you are going somewhere. Kids will definitely find something interesting to play when it’s time to wait or just give them tissue paper and pen. That’s more than enough to keep them busy. Still if you think your kid is not really engaged and bothering others then you can play table games with him/her.
Expect over discipline: Parents want their kids to behave the way they are!!! Well they are kids…. can’t be so much disciplined. No doubt they will talk louder, they will play with their new fork and spoon and tissue papers too so take it easy. You are out for fun (for you and your kids) so enjoy and let them enjoy. Still if you feel you don’t want to bother anyone then prefer kids friendly (little bit noisy) restaurant.
Worried about quantity: Parents will constantly measure how much their kid is eating, whatever he/she had is enough or not. Well no need to think this much because it is okay if your kid won’t eat properly one day and second your kid has to learn to eat all the kind of food. So please forget about quantity and enjoy. And yes if you feel no I can’t accept this then order your kid’s favorite starter or dessert. Also add juice or ice cream in your order. And still if you are not happy then I can say see if it’s a lunch time you have entire day to feed your kid and if it’s a dinner time then you can give a glass of milk before putting your kid on bed and that’s enough for a day. Anyhow kids manage their appetite in weekly basis so they will cover it in later days.
Scold for improvement: Improvement never comes with negativity. If you will tell him you shout there, you didn’t eat well, you spoiled food and scold him then all these things won’t help you for next time reason 1. They got your point that they didn’t behave well but that time is gone and now they can’t change it. 2. They don’t think for future trips like us. So they will forget it and may behave the same for next time.
Well this doesn’t mean you should not utter a single word and let them spoil your meal. Solution is praise for good. Tell them good thing first like you have waited very nicely for food. I like it too much. But you didn’t eat well that’s not good. Why didn’t you eat properly? Don’t you like spaghetti? Be humble be polite and let them understand.
Let them know it is fun to go out for meal as for kids food is food no matter where you eat!!! Ask them what was their best part of that visit as well as tell yours too. Make the Sunday more tasty and funny for both (you and your kids).
Have A Sweet Sunday
