Restaurants

I don't worry too much about their restaurant manners because proper meal time behavior is so important to us at home.  Still, there are things we do to make a restaurant visit easier on us and the diners and waitstaff around us.

• We don't go to restaurants that aren't very family friendly.  You shouldn't be interrupting someone's special dinner with your children's presence.  
• We order the whole meal at once; drinks, appetizer, meals, and dessert.  
• I only order things that I know will be a huge hit.  This isn't the time or place to expect them to eat things they don't love.  The thrill of a hot dog and fries followed by ice cream is usually enough to keep them blissfully happy for a good long while.  This is also the only time they get juice with their meal instead of milk or water.  
• We ask the waiter to keep the pace quick to keep the meal moving and interesting to the girls. 
• When we order, we also request to go boxes and the check.  Only one time have we ever had to leave abruptly due to bad behavior, and it was so upsetting to our toddler that I don't imagine it will be a frequent occurrence.  
• While waiting for the food, they sit and converse with us, or perhaps color quietly.  Once that seems to be wearing thin, but before fussiness ensues, one of us will bring them out to the lobby or outside for a stroll.  During the meal, if one of them seems to be wearying of sitting nicely, I find that a quick trip to the bathroom for a potty break and hand washing tends to buy us a little more time.  
• Choose the right time to go to a restaurant.  Don't go on a night the kids are fussy or tired, and try to arrive at the right time when they are neither over hungry, or not hungry enough to eat. 
• Being disruptive in a restaurant is an absolute no.  This includes no standing on the seat to peek into the booth behind us.  It's just not cute to most people, even if you find it charming.  
• Our toddler is expected to speak to the waiter politely.  We prompt her to say "I would like a hot dog please."  If she can only manage a "please" that is more than sufficient, but that please is non-negotiable, as is "thank you" when the food arrives.  This is a great time to learn to speak to strangers in a safe fashion, and politeness is always in style!
• When we are ready to leave, we have the toddler help us clean up any excessive mess.  If an unusual amount of food has ended up on the floor, it is her job to pick it up and put it into a napkin. 

I can understand the apprehensive looks we get when we arrive at a restaurant with a 9 month old and 23 month old, but the vast majority of the time, those looks quickly turn into approving smiles and compliments on their behavior.