How to Take a Toddler to Dinner

Taking a toddler to dinner requires some advanced planning and a lot of patients.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Make sure the restaurant you choose is toddler friendly. A family friendly restaurant will offer a kids menu, kids cups, coloring sheets and crayons.

2. Prepare your toddler. When taking your toddler to dinner let them know what kind of behavior you expect. Explain you want to hear please and thank you.

3. Bring entertainment. A favorite book or coloring book work fine. A couple of small cars are fine to. Make sure to let your toddler choose a toy from a group of appropriate toys.

4. When you arrive order you toddler s food as soon as you sit at the table. Toddlers take longer to eat and will get impatient waiting.

5. You are on a clock. A toddler will only sit at a table for so long until all the energy they have been bottling up will come out in a terrible way. Be fair and do not expect them to sit and hang out for hours. So order your food quickly.

6. If the toddler gets really antsy one of the adults may need to take them for a walk.

7. If the behavior turns you may need to leave. There is no need to make a toddler hang out in a restaurant if they are misbehaving. It is not a good time for you the toddler or anyone else trying to enjoy their meal. Have the food wrapped up pay and leave.

[jenng]

on 9/2/2009 Great article on How to Take a Toddler to Dinner 5*