How do you entertain your kids at restaurants?

[twinboysmom]

We don't go out to eat. I have 4 little kids and my son has high functioning autism. When things get bad I will try any trick I have up my sleeve. Don't judge unless you've been in someone's shoes is my rule of thumb.

I am the best parent I can be but it only takes 1 out of 4 kids to start and then there is that domino effect. Both grandma's are coming with us this trip but my kids only see them maybe twice a year and with a large party of 8 I am sure we will be split up on occasion. With that said my kids may have a tougher time adjusting and the grandma's really don't know the grandkids and how to keep them busy or what to do if someone acts up.

It's a vacation, give a parent like me a break. If you happen to see me & my kids in a sit down the last week of Sept with a Smart phone and some Leapsters just be happy that YOU didn't have to lug all that crap around disney
just to enjoy your sit down meal LOL!

Just don't judge period. I really am I good parent and do my best to raise my kids. I just have a handful right now.

No judging here. I am just still floored that you had twins and then two more little ones. My two have run me into the ground! I really admire you. I would love to have more but feel like I can't keep up with these two (they are 22 months). Take all the electronic media you need. You need and deserve to enjoy your dinner out!

 

[patsal]

I guess I jsut don't understand why kids need to be entertained at dinner? A few places gave them crayons and interactive menus to keep them busy while they waited for food when they were younger, but overall I just would talk to them and discuss what we already did for the day and what was coming up the next day. Character meals provide a good amount of entertainment for kids, but I guess I don't understand why kids need to be entertained to behave properly at a restaurant?

I really don't mean to sound snarky, I just don't understand why kids can't learn to wait patiently for their food without the need for electronice media all the time.

 

[shan136]

I never wanted to start the habit of my kids "needing" to be entertained in order to behave. So, we have just, from the start, expected them to behave at restaurants and if they didn't, then they were hauled out. I have 2 kids and over my 7+ years of parenting, I have had to haul my kids out 2x....once when my oldest was 1 and he was NOT happy at Perkins that morning, and one other time for one of the kids throwing a fit at Machine Shed. We eat out pretty frequently...

Hahaha, this was my Mother's philosophy of dining out with kids also. I am almost 40 and my sisters and brother still joke about the misery of sitting there while our parents (seemingly) dragged out weekly restaurant dinners while we had to sit there.

Now as an adult, I don't want to feel rushed when I am eating, so after my daughter is done eating, I let her have my iphone to play a game while I enjoy the rest of my meal. OP's child is very young, not even 2 years old, so snacks and crayons should keep her child busy. In my experience, WDW TS meals can be very long, I think it's good to be prepared.

 

[Ro Z]

I really don't mean to sound snarky, I just don't understand why kids can't learn to wait patiently for their food without the need for electronice media all the time.

You said it all with the word "LEARN". I think if they are very young you have to keep them busy and once they are older they will be used to being in a restaurant and they will have learned how to behave. BUT on the other hand as PP's have said some children have real problems sitting still and I don't have a problem with parents doing what they need to do!

 

[quirty30]

I've seen threads like this many times and I always have the same response. I'm a single parent and I'm entitled to enjoy my vacation too. We all have different parenting styles. I, too, will allow my kids to play with their DS or iPod, if that's what it takes to get them through a restaurant meal. I've never used a DVD player, but if that's what it takes for you, then more power to you. I don't don't think it's anymore rude than people taking pictures of their food with flash cameras. That's not entirely true - I actually think the flash photography is more rude as it affects everyone around you. Just my two cents.

P.S. My son is autistic, but I don't really thinks that matters. All kids have different levels of attention spans.

 

[MSLRAC]

I never wanted to start the habit of my kids "needing" to be entertained in order to behave. So, we have just, from the start, expected them to behave at restaurants and if they didn't, then they were hauled out. I have 2 kids and over my 7+ years of parenting, I have had to haul my kids out 2x....once when my oldest was 1 and he was NOT happy at Perkins that morning, and one other time for one of the kids throwing a fit at Machine Shed. We eat out pretty frequently...

If the place has a kids "menu" with the tic tac toe and coloring and all that on there....they like that. But they are just as good at sitting talking to us about their day, what they want to do, daydreaming (we spend a lot of time daydreaming about WDW in our house!!), etc. Meal time, IMO, is when families should shut out everything else and focus on each other. You are all right there in that moment....I would hate it if my children shut me out for a game, movie, etc. That's not what meal time is for, IMO.

I agree! We have taken our kids out for meals since they were infants so they know how to behave in restaurants and that we will drag them out if they can't manage to behave for whatever reason and vacation is no different.

We will play any games or activities on the kid's menu with them but that is the extent of our entertaining them. Once those activities are completed, we sit and talk about our day or whatever else out kids want to talk about.

 

[duffy]

I agree with you. You have to teach children how to behave appropriately, even when they are bored and tired. None of us are born knowing how to behave, we have to be taught. Plugging in a dvd player teaches them nothing, except that they deserve to be constantly entertained. People with special needs children are not included in this, but they are also the exception and not the standard.

Agreed. I would add that watching a dvd is an all-engrossing activity. A child watching a movie is mentally disconnected from his family. Meal times should be a time when you connect the most with your family.

I guess I jsut don't understand why kids need to be entertained at dinner? A few places gave them crayons and interactive menus to keep them busy while they waited for food when they were younger, but overall I just would talk to them and discuss what we already did for the day and what was coming up the next day. Character meals provide a good amount of entertainment for kids, but I guess I don't understand why kids need to be entertained to behave properly at a restaurant?

I really don't mean to sound snarky, I just don't understand why kids can't learn to wait patiently for their food without the need for electronice media all the time.

Agreed. While my kids were small and learning, if they could not wait patiently for their food, one parent took them out.

I agree! We have taken our kids out for meals since they were infants so they know how to behave in restaurants and that we will drag them out if they can't manage to behave for whatever reason and vacation is no different.

We will play any games or activities on the kid's menu with them but that is the extent of our entertaining them. Once those activities are completed, we sit and talk about our day or whatever else out kids want to talk about.

Agreed. My job is not to entertain my children, but to raise them to be functioning, sociable adults.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Agreed. I would add that watching a dvd is an all-engrossing activity. A child watching a movie is mentally disconnected from his family. Meal times should be a time when you connect the most with your family.

I'd also add that vacation is for the family if it's a family vacation! That means those are the times that my kids get the most attention all year. I am not taken aside by other things and my mind is on them! That is the time that we are making memories, telling stories, and interacting. Those are experiences that as they get older I want them to remember. We don't make plans to have "great memories" or "silly stories" they just happen through interaction. But if they have the headphones on they aren't going to be able to have those memories. And while they enjoy the games now.... I don't want them to think back to their childhood as adults and that be their memories.

 

[RMulieri]

ok just asking..dont flame me..why do kids have to be entertained while they are eating?? do you entertain your kids at home at meal time? Cant they just eat and behave like they should? ..my parents never entertained me..i ate dinner and behaved like i was supposed too.. I agree, i see kids at disney restaurants with the portable dvd players and playing games on their parents ipods and cell phones...

I don't get it either..I never have to do anything to "entertain" my daughter.IF she didn't behave, I yanked her out of the restaurant-including at Disney.I was not going to disturb other diners .I know it is my vacation too, but you are NEVER on vacation from being a parent and doing your parental job.She is 7 now and I only had to do it once.Mealtime in our house is FAMILY time.We talk and interact.The tv is off, the Cellphones are away from the table .

 

[MSLRAC]

Agreed. I would add that watching a dvd is an all-engrossing activity. A child watching a movie is mentally disconnected from his family. Meal times should be a time when you connect the most with your family.

Agreed. My job is not to entertain my children, but to raise them to be functioning, sociable adults.

I could not agree more. DS has high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder and when he watches a DVD or TV, it is an all consuming activity for him so it is certainly not something we want at the dinner table or at a restaurant. Plus, we are working hard on his social and receptive language skills and Disney turned out to be a great place for that because he had so much to tell us about and it was great to see the World through his eyes.

 

[princess pooh]

Wow, so many perfect parents on the DIS! Must be nice...

I'm surprised by the number of posters who think toddlers shouldn't have to be entertained at all in restaurants. My little guy is very calm and mellow but he can only sit and chat for so long, especially if the service is slow. I bring crayons and stickers for older DS and I let him have my iphone if the meal is dragging on. If it bothers anyone then they should probably concentrate on their own family instead of judging mine.

 

[MSLRAC]

Wow, so many perfect parents on the DIS! Must be nice...

I'm surprised by the number of posters who think toddlers shouldn't have to be entertained at all in restaurants. My little guy is very calm and mellow but he can only sit and chat for so long, especially if the service is slow. I bring crayons and stickers for older DS and I let him have my iphone if the meal is dragging on. If it bothers anyone then they should probably concentrate on their own family instead of judging mine.

And here we go! This truly gets so old on here. Who said they were perfect? I must have missed that!

I simply replied with what works for us and what our expectations are of our children. I couldn't tell you want any parents at any other table at any of our meals at Disney were doing with their kids because I was focused on mine and soaking in every moment of Disney magic and making memories with them.

Bring whatever helps your kid deal but don't knock me if I don't bring anything, set expectations for my kids and they meet them.

 

[Colleen27]

I don't get it either..I never have to do anything to "entertain" my daughter.IF she didn't behave, I yanked her out of the restaurant-including at Disney.I was not going to disturb other diners .I know it is my vacation too, but you are NEVER on vacation from being a parent and doing your parental job.She is 7 now and I only had to do it once.Mealtime in our house is FAMILY time.We talk and interact.The tv is off, the Cellphones are away from the table .

But that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with not being 100% on top of your game every minute - I don't enforce normal table rules about toys/games (even coloring wouldn't fly at home) on vacation, nor do we stick to normal bedtimes, limit desserts and sodas as strictly as we do at home, or hold to our 'no falling asleep watching TV' rule.

I won't allow my kids to disturb other diners, but dining in the sorts of places we just don't have here at home is a big part of my own enjoyment of the trip. So I make preparations to ensure I don't have to spend the meal walking a fidgety toddler. We had 16 sitdown meals on DD3's first trip and 9 on her second and not once did she act up or need to be taken out of the restaurant, not even during longer signature dinners. That, to me, is a successful experience because it is an experience we all got to enjoy.

 

[Colleen27]

And here we go! This truly gets so old on here. Who said they were perfect? I must have missed that!

Well, you have to admit "My job is not to entertain my children, but to raise them to be functioning, sociable adults. " is pretty high-and-mighty and certainly could be construed as implying that those who do entertain their kids are not doing their parental job.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

We leave in a month (yay) and I was wondering what you pack for when you go to dinner to entertain your kids. My DS (20 months) is at the age where patience are minimal.. and I would rather not to QS everyday.. Thanks for any ideas you might have!

To answer your question OP, when my kids were younger, we made full use of the kids menus and crayons (and we still do even with the kids being older!) I also take the kids to the bathroom prior to the food coming out to not only do business but make sure they wash their hands and understand that we always wash our hands before eating. It takes up some of the 'waiting' time. In addition, we talk and chat. But for children, especially the younger set, they have not learned to sit and wait patiently yet so if there is any fussing, we might look around (like at restaurants that have an aquarium or other things to look at), or go to the waiting room, or even step outside.

If the kids are old enough, we play a LOT of tic tac toe! I also have taught them some of the other writing games and puzzles that I learned as a child.

I wouldn't call what we do 'entertaining' the kids but rather keeping them 'engaged'. The games are a great way to keep us all engaged and to keep our brains exercising (especially us adults!)

And there are times if DH and I want to mull over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine after dinner, we hand the kids our iphones so they can play a game (on mute). It is a treat for them, let's us have a few minutes without the constant 'i'm bored' comments, and let's other diners enjoy their meals without antsy children.

As for the responses on this thread - don't let them bother you! Parents have different views on how to parent and just gather the items that you like and use them.

Best thing about Disney restaurants is that there are lots of kids!

 

[MSLRAC]

Well, you have to admit "My job is not to entertain my children, but to raise them to be functioning, sociable adults. " is pretty high-and-mighty and certainly could be construed as implying that those who do entertain their kids are not doing their parental job.

I personally don't think so because it is my job as a parent to raise my kids to be just that...functioning, sociable and contributing members of society. It's not high and mighty, that is what I expect from my kids.

 

[shan136]

Well, you have to admit "My job is not to entertain my children, but to raise them to be functioning, sociable adults. " is pretty high-and-mighty and certainly could be construed as implying that those who do entertain their kids are not doing their parental job.

Agreed!

 

[duffy]

Well, you have to admit "My job is not to entertain my children, but to raise them to be functioning, sociable adults. " is pretty high-and-mighty and certainly could be construed as implying that those who do entertain their kids are not doing their parental job.

Sorry that you feel that way.

I did not have kids so that I can be a performer for them. And yes, I do feel that I should raise them to function in society, and to be sociable.

"high and mighty"? Oh, well. Again, sorry you feel that way.

 

[VeroBeachGirl]

Ok maybe I'm the only one... and I have little ones too... but I find the dvd to be inappropriate in a restaurant. First of all I think it is bad ettiquette in general. Second I don't want to hear it and I dont' think others should either. And I think it is worse ettiquette for kids to have ear buds in at a meal.

I think at that age you are teaching them manners and appropriate behavior. Crayons are fine or stickers to help. We talk and point things out. They are part of the family and part of the meal.

I think the most rude thing is when I see older kids with portable devices at a restaurant. What is the cut off age for them? Sorry... maybe it's just me....

I agree with this for typical children. For those with special circumstances, do whatever it takes to make the meal enjoyable for your own family.

 

[Mama Who]

For my family, the distinction is that the non-electronic amusements are for a very limited age range at which some entertainment is necessary, and are naturally outgrown as the child gets older and more able to participate in conversation around the table. And non-electronic amusements aren't as engrossing; my toddler will set the magnadoodle aside and join in the conversation if we're talking about the parks or the plans for the next day or something that she can relate to.

The electronics, on the other hand, are engrossing. Whether playing a game or watching a movie, they encourage tuning out the rest of the world. I don't have a problem with that in general but I don't think the dinner table is the place for it; I want my little one aware enough of the rest of us to practice her mealtime conversation, even if only in small bursts, rather than happily tuned into a movie/game and oblivious to us. And a lesser factor but still something I take into account - getting out one electronic game will inevitably get the older kids, who are plenty old enough to enjoy a meal without entertainment (10 & 13), more interested in the gadget their little sister has than in us "boring" adults. It is simply easier from a parenting perspective to stick to our "no electronics at the table" rule all the time, even though we do suspend the "no toys/books at the table" rule for the 3yo when dining out.

This was beautifully said.