Putting it all into practice
Once your child has grasped what’s expected of him at mealtimes, you can try it all out in a restaurant setting.
Tell him that great behaviour will be really appreciated by the restaurant.
If you’re able to pre-book, you could even let the staff know that your child has been practising so that they, too, can give him a bit of encouragement.
Forewarn him that unless he behaves well you won’t be able to go out to eat again for a while.
Leave the big bag of toys at home take a few small things in your handbag.
Seat your child looking into the restaurant – if your child has plenty to look at this will distract him.
Go through the menu with your child, asking him to choose from three different options (too much choice will overwhelm a young child, who will quickly lose interest in the food and look for other entertainment).
Don’t allow him to fill up on bread rolls and, if you are having a starter but he isn’t, ask the waiting staff to bring his main course out with your starter so that he can get stuck straight in.
Try and stay relaxed or you will communicate your anxiety to your child!
10 top tips for eating out with under-fives
Rachel Holland offers the following priceless advice:
- Take things slowly: start off with a quick meal in an informal setting
- a pub lunch at the weekend, for example. Rome wasn’t built in a day! - Leave the bag of toys at home, but go out equipped with some ‘I Spy’
or word games to play if the going gets tough. Spotting items beginning
with each letter of the alphabet isn’t too taxing on the adults, and
only need be played until you can regain your child’s interest in his
meal. - Swap bits of your meal with your child so that he gets a taste of
everything. Be prepared to swap your whole meal if he prefers yours
- as long as it’s something he wouldn’t normally have. - Bring a small (non food-related) reward with you to give him at the
end of the evening. A sticker or a lolly is enough – plus a kiss, cuddle
and lots of praise, of course! - Go to the restaurant at your childs normal eating time. A hungry tired
child will not enjoy the experience and nor will you. - Go to a restaurant where you know your child will eat the food.
- Go to a familiar restaurant, i.e. one you pass regularly and your
child will recognise. This will make the experience more comfortable. - Explain your expectations before you go and have a run through at
home: make-believe is always good fun. - Explain that when you go to a restaurant its time to hear all about
each others’ news. Encourage your child to chat and make conversation. - Go to the loo after you have ordered and before your food arrives.
This will make the wait for the food seem shorter and, if the restaurant
allows, you can see your food being made.
Where to next?
- Mind your Ps and Qs – ways to teach your child the basic pleasantries!
- Great expectations – we take a look at what sort of values you can instil
in your child and, more importantly, how! - Nasty habits – the lovely things our little angels get up to!
