Tom Sietsema, the food critic for the Washington Post, has a weekly online chat about various restaurant and food-related issues.  Every so often, there are chatters who complain about parents who bring children into restaurants.  So I have decided to write May’s Rules for Ragamuffins in Restaurants in response.  (This is mostly a venting session because I believe parents should be able to bring kids to restaurants but then said parents have a certain set of responsibilities when they do so.)

We have a 14 and an 11 year old, whom we have taken regularly for years to restaurants of all sorts (from fast food to the Inn at Little Washington).  But we started early and with a few iron-clad rules starting when they were babies. So, the following are May’s Rules for Ragamuffins in Restaurants:

1.         Always bring snacks for younger kids – younger kids don’t yet understand and have difficulty coping with the ebb-and-flow of restaurant ordering.  Yes, cheerios or goldfish may ruin a meal, but it’s much better than a hungry, and therefore, cranky, child.

2.         Always bring entertainment, whether books or (quiet) toys or iPhones (set on vibrate).  Starting at around 9 or 10 years of age, children should be expected to be polite and attentive participants in the dinner conversation.

3.         Start out with small, ethnic restaurants that are generally more child friendly.  We particularly like Chinese and Central American restaurants.  Tip generously for the mess your child will inevitably make.

4.         The second your child gets even a little fussy (note:  this is well before the crying at full volume stage), take your child out of the restaurant.  Eating in turn isn’t as much fun as eating together, but it’s the price you pay for being a parent.  Not to mention it’s the considerate thing to do for the other guests in the restaurant.

5.         Eat at off peak times so as to minimize disruption to the restaurant’s other guests.

6.         Expect and demand good behavior in restaurants.  If you, as parents don’t do so, why would you expect your children to provide it?

My children aren’t perfect by any means, but we regularly receive compliments on their behavior at restaurants by waitstaff and other diners.  And they love good food!

[Rant over]