By TMOM TEAM MEMBER DENNETTE BAILEY
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 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.
Bring paper and crayons and colored 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 a hangry child to the restaurant.
A child should be eating at least every four 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 six to 10 ingredients including the dyes, sugars and preservatives. Do not feel bad about bringing 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 seven 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 also make eating out with kids much easier 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.
