Tips for Dining Out with Kids

It can be a problem in a restaurant — so here are a few pointers to help you through dinner.

Include the kids in the decision-making process. Make choosing fun by suggesting they try foods that start with the same letter of their first name, or try foods that are a certain color. Remind them their taste buds are growing up, just like them. What they didn't like a month ago they might like now. Encourage them sample your food selections or try the the six bites rule. If they don't like what you've selected off the menu after siz bites (that's a fair trial) they get to put their fork down.

Just in case, it's OK to bring along old reliable – no one's ever died from eating too much PB&J.

Don't let fussy kids prevent you from going out to dinner.

With a little preparation, planning and coordination at the restaurant, you can make dining out a family experience worth repeating. Start by keeping a "restaurant bag" stocked with games, books, crayons, crackers and a favorite toy in the car and ready to go. Taking this into the restaurant with you is just ammunition in anticipation of a tantrum.

• Take along a child-sized spoon or favorite bib.

• Consider buying your child a new story or picture book before going to the restaurant.
• Ask for a table by the window. Interesting sights outside might help entertain the young ones.

• Always communicate your needs with your waitress or waiter.

• Ask your waitress/waiter to warm up a bottle, if needed. Or, feed your baby first and then take your contented child with you to enjoy a meal out.

• Always add a dash of praise to your child's dinner. Compliment him/her when he/she does good things while at the restaurant.

• Indulge: Reward good behavior with a special treat.

• You don't have to be afraid to leave if it gets to be too much. Box it up. There will be more mealtimes to come.

• Make the kids "pay" for the meal – they can count out the money or give the tip to the server.