Dining ?

[SunflowerTigger]

We have our ADR's for dinner. My questions is how do you keep the kids from having a meltdown during dinner? My DS 6 and DS 3 sometimes have a hard time sitting still during dinner. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Rebecca

 

[Hannathy]

If that's the case maybe this isn't the trip for a lot of sit down dinners. If you know your kids can't handle a long dinner then to be fair to the other patrons don't schedule them. If they do act up please have one parent leave with the child who isn't behaving. When mine were young we did mostly CS except for a few places I knew they would like. I knew that Disney dinners can take a long time and most little kids don't enjoy spending time like that.

 

[tadamom]

I take snacks, colors, books and I have even taken little Magnadoodles. My kids do fine most of the time but sometimes you just never know! Also, something else I do is ask the waiter to bring their food out as soon as it is ready. They usually eat slower than us so, we usually all finish at the same time. And, sometimes I will get my wallet out and let my kids play with the loose change (we count it) and little business cards I have!

 

[Desnik]

Most places will have crayons and an activity/coloring page for the kids. That usually works to keep them busy and happy. I also order their food right away. I always have something in my bag to keep DS(4) occupied, like small container, travel size play doh. If he has a little car to play with he's usually happy. Also try to make those ADR's for early in the evening right around 5 or 6pm. It would also help if they had a nap during the day so they aren't tired/cranky by dinner time. DS went through a faze at around 2-3 years old where he would not sit well in a restaurant. He would throw things and just be crazy! When we took trips during that time period I really limited the amount of sit downs we did and tried to make the ones we did do be character meals. Now both kids(DD is 9) are really good at restaurants and we have TS booked for every day of our upcoming trip!
Good luck and have a great trip!!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Hi,
In all seriousness, the single thing that works best for DD4 is to make sure she is not tired. Tired=cranky=meltdown
Also, I try not to let her eat anything 1 1/2 hours before we go so she will have an appetite.
Make sure your ADR's are for kid friendly places. (read: noisy not quiet)
Also, you could let them pick out a small, quiet souvenir that they can not play with until restaurant time.
If possible, I always ask for a table in the corner or side of the restaurant. DD4 is usually quiet but is bouncy and the right seat can keep her from bothering other guests.
Practice "restaurant behavior" at home.
Above all, my husband and I are always willing to forgo the sit down restaurant if things don't seem to be at "optimum behavior level."

 

[tadamom]

I always have something in my bag to keep DS(4) occupied, like small container, travel size play doh.

I never thought about travel sized playdoh - my kids would absolutely loooove this idea!