by John Oystein

Created on: October 30, 2010   Last Updated: October 31, 2010

I love my family. I love to eat. And I love to eat out.

Put all three together, and I’ve got a problem.

You see, my family consists of myself, my wife, and my two children, ages four and two.

Yeah, you see the problem, and it isn’t the wife. I mean, my kids aren’t that bad, but dining out is a challenge sometimes. A couple of times have been exceedingly difficult, and a few times, I had the best kids under heaven.

We’ve learned some tricks to help with the eating out with the kids. Here are my five tips for dining out with the kiddos.

First, for the love of God, eat at a place that purports itself to be a family-friendly establishment! This means, don’t bring the kids to an allegedly romantic candlelit restaurant. Don’t go to some trendy ethnic restaurant for the sake of giving your five-year-old a lesson in diversity, where they’ll be staring at insect wings or turtle beaks and told they’re a delicacy in Eblonia. And don’t bring them to a place where tipping the waitress means leaving hot wings sauce on her bikini bottom.

You’ll want the restaurants that have changing stations in the bathrooms. Eat at a place where the greeter doesn’t sneer at a child. Many of the chain restaurants and a good number of local restaurants do fit in this category. They may not be the most aesthetically pleasing places to eat, but your kids recognize the food served there. If your local newspaper publishes a restaurant guide or reviews, check them before eating someplace unknown with your children. Calling ahead, if possible, doesn’t hurt either.

Next, opt for quick food when eating out with your kids. Notice I didn’t say “fast food,” I said “quick food.” Eat where you can be seated, place your order, and eat as soon as possible. Waiting in line, especially for food, is difficult business for an adult, let alone a hungry child. We prefer buffets and a few fresh cooking establishments. Typically, my wife will place the orders and get the food while I watch over the kids at the table. If we’re not at a buffet, we try to eat someplace that will bring out some food to keep the kids distracted before the real meal arrives. Of course, we ration it out so they don’t stuff themselves before the food comes. Along these lines, feed the kids what they want. If the meal is not the most nutritious, don’t fret. It’s certainly not the only meal they’ll eat that

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