By Tara Roberts

We’ve all been there. Finally finding the time to have a quiet meal out, or wanting to celebrate a special occasion, we go to our favorite restaurant only to discover that a herd of buffalo is occupying the table adjacent to ours – loud, messy, stampeding little buffalo. We also discover that their handlers are doing everything they can to ignore the ruckus their beloved bovines are creating. Perhaps, that much-maligned circus has on occasion originated from our own table.

The key to eating out successfully with young children is “planning.” Think of it as culinary reconnaissance. A little preparation, a little practice, and even the most temperamental, miniature gourmand can have a pleasurable dining out experience. Your children will thank you, the restaurant staff will thank you, and the couple at the next table will thank you.

Before venturing out

• Have realistic expectations and tell your children what those are.
• Let your children practice restaurant dining at home. Work on ways they can stay in their chairs, use their best manners and keep their noise level down.
• Take short restaurant trial runs for dessert or appetizers only. If these rehearsals are successful, extend the time away from home a little at a time.
• Call ahead to ask about best times to dine, and availability of highchairs or booster seats and children’s menus. If the restaurant does not offer any of these amenities, chances are it isn’t a “kid-friendly” eatery.
• Let the youngsters have a part in selecting the restaurant, whether it is sit-down, family-style or buffet, or just the type of cuisine.
• Give children a small snack before leaving home to help hold them over until their meal.
• Pack for survival. Depending on the age of your children, bring small-sized utensils, sipper cups, pre-mixed bottles, clean wipes, bibs, extra diapers and clothes.
• Bring your own distractions. Have a ready supply of crayons or markers, paper, small books, puzzles and soft toys that do not squeak to keep antsy children pre-occupied.

At the restaurant

• Arrive for early seating, usually before 6 p.m. This is closer to the actual time many children eat, and you can also avoid the usual dinner crowd. Check with restaurants, some may offer an “early bird” discount.
• Find a restaurant with entertainment, such as music, TVs, games, playgrounds or fish tanks. Chances are these restaurants have a louder noise level and offer more distractions to keep children engaged.
• Ask for a table in the back or at least away from other diners.
• Sit by a window for added diversionary potential.
• Select restaurants with patios or outdoor seating so any over-exuberance on the children’s part is not as noticeable.
• Keep children at your table and do not let them walk around unattended. This is not only rude, but it can be dangerous if they cause a server to trip or spill a tray of hot food.
• If children get restless, take a walk with them around the restaurant or outside until the food arrives.
• Choose familiar foods from the menu. Don’t try to introduce new flavors on these adventures away from home. The daring child, who eats rocks and dirt at home, may not go for calamari or escargot when dining out.
• Set a good example. Don’t be the person always on a cell phone or talking loudly, or the one giving the wait staff an undeserved hard time.
• Clean up your own messes such as the Cheerio explosion under the highchair or the sugar blizzard on the table.
• If this dining experience is a hit, make return trips to the same restaurant.
• Remember that dining out with children is a lot of work for parents and especially the restaurant wait staff. Tip more than the usual, they have earned it.
• Praise good behavior on the children’s part, they have earned it too.

Last resort

If all else fails – LEAVE – even if you have to pack up before your meals are served. There is this wonderful invention called a “take-home box.” Sometimes, it is just not the right time to experiment with behavior modification.

If you know your children are difficult to manage - LEAVE THEM AT HOME. Don’t make them, you or the public, endure an unpleasant meal when it is not necessary. Bringing take-out dinners home can sometimes be just as fun as eating out.