The holidays are a time when families like to go out for dinner to celebrate. The following tips will help make your time out with your children an enjoyable and memorable occasion:

1. Brief your children prior to going out. Let them know that it is a special occasion and that they will be expected to be on their best behavior, which includes staying in their seats and using their best table manners. If necessary, review proper table manners and dining skills at a family dinner at home before going out.

2. Select an appropriate restaurant. Choose a family-friendly restaurant if you have young children. If you have children under the age of eight or ten for instance, you would not want to take them to a fine dining restaurant unless they are unusually sophisticated and accustomed to sitting for a couple of hours and have polished table manners.

3. Request the right table. If you take your family to a restaurant that caters to people of all ages and types, try not to sit at a table that is next to a couple or businesspeople if it is lunchtime. Ask to be seated in an area where you will not interfere with the enjoyment of others dining at the restaurant.

4. Make sure your children are not overly tired or overly hungry when you take them out; and try to schedule the meal close to the time they usually eat. Children can become very irritable when they are overly hungry or tired.

5. Keep the number of courses to a minimum.  Most young children cannot sit longer than an hour (if that long) and it is unfair of you to ask them to do so. Order dishes that your children are familiar with and will be easy for them to eat. You want them to be proud of themselves at the meal, and if they are struggling with their food, it will be frustrating for them.

6. Insist that your children remain in their seats and talk quietly while they are in the restaurant. Loud, raucous behavior and running around in the restaurant should not be permitted. Even if you have chosen a family-friendly restaurant, it doesn’t mean that other families in the restaurant will find inappropriate, disruptive behavior appropriate.

If your child becomes unruly or is crying, you should take your child somewhere (outside) away from the other diners until he or she has calmed down.

7. Take something for your child to do. There’s a reason why many casual, child-friendly restaurants provide crayons and something to color for young children. Don’t, however, let them play games or anything with sound on an iPad or any other device at the table.

8. Include children in conversations. Family meals are a time for family members to talk to each other. If your child is talking, talk to him or her. Engaging children in conversations will make them feel  that you are interested in what they have to say, and it will make them feel important.  (And, of course, no one at the table will be talking or texting on their smartphones during the meal.)

9. Be courteous to the wait staff. Set a good example for your children: be courteous to the wait staff.

10. Praise your children. After the meal is over, let your children know how proud you are of their behavior, and how much you enjoyed dining out with them.

By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick