The Guidelines

Here are a few sites that I find to be useful regarding advice on how to dine with kids. I know some people who are a bit timid when it comes to venturing out to restaurants with kids in tow, but I think using advice like this might make it easier. And it might make people think about things that aren’t so obvious as well.

( Where they came from http://www.dinnersfromhell.com/dining-kids.htm)

Dining out with Kids in Restaurants
(non-chain, non family) or, Tales of Training a Future Restaurant Critic

http://www.forkandbottle.com/rants/other/dining_out_with_kids_in_restaurants.htm

7 Mistakes Not to Make When Dining Out with Kids

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_2628.html

How to dine out with kids … and enjoy it! (ages 2 to 4)

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-dine-out-with-kids-and-enjoy-it-ages-2-to-4_63913.bc

From the point of view of the wait staff

http://www.ragingserver.com/best_waiter_server_blog/2007/09/16/the-rules-for-eating-out-part-3-children/

There are a few things I’d add, just from personal experience (really only applies to kids in diapers and needing a high chair):

1) Do Some Research and Call Ahead: If we’re not sure a place is right for taking baby/kids, we call and ask a few questions. “Do you have high chairs?” being first and foremost. Most of the time we know the places that are definitely not for kids, but there are some that you’re just not sure (Tremont Tap House comes to mind, but more on that later). We also make sure to check the restaurant’s web site for hours and menu info. If there’s not one available those are also questions we ask when we call ahead.

2) Take The Portable High Chair: If a place tells us they don’t have high chairs, we ask if it’s cool to bring our own. We have this great chair that we actually use every day. It attaches to our island (no room for a big high chair) and detaches easily. Also folds up for easy portability. A lot of other models don’t fold up.

3) Make Sure You Have the Changing Pad: Not all places are equipped with changing tables so having that changing pad is essential. Counters and sometimes even the floor has worked. Some might think that’s gross, but most of the places we’ve gone have had very clean bathrooms, so we don’t worry about it. Plus the changing pad is washable. And we clean up after ourselves.

If anyone has any other advice to share, feel free to comment!