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Have you ever looked forward to a relaxing dinner a restaurant, only to encounter a family with young wildebeests for children sitting at the table next to you? You cannot control other people’s kids, but you can certainly be the kind of parent who is proud to take your well-behaved children to dinner without worrying about them acting up. Here are some tips:

1. Choose the Right Eatery – This may sound obvious, but if your kids are very young, choose a casual restaurant where other families frequently dine. There’s no point in taking them to a fancy quiet place with white linen table cloths and several courses until you’re sure they are old enough to handle that. (One of my favorite casual places near my house in Hollywood, FL is Giorgio’s Bakery. The food is great, the prices are right, and it’s not the quietest place either.)
2. Keep ‘Em Busy – Bring a few busy or interactive (but not noisy) toys, perhaps a coloring book, or choose a restaurant that gives the children an activity book and crayons.
3. Set the Boundaries – Before you get to the restaurant explain to your kids that you are excited to go out with them and have a fun dinner. Tell them you expect them to behave, stay seated and use their indoor voices.
4. Stay in Control – At the first sign of inappropriate behavior, take action. Do not let your kids run around the table, sit on the floor or have a temper tantrum inside the restaurant. Take them outside and explain they will not be able to go with you next time you go out to eat if they behave that way one more time. If they do not comply, have the food packed up to go and leave the restaurant.
5. Follow Through – The worst behaved kids have parents who threaten them but don’t follow through. Don’t be one of those parents. If your child did not behave the way you expect, make an effort to go out to eat again soon but get a baby sitter for the child. Explain that you are sad he or she has to stay home this time, but you cannot tolerate that behavior in a restaurant. Explain that you’ll be happy to try again another time if he or she can behave.
6. Reward Good Behavior – When an evening out goes well, praise your child. “We’re so proud of you, and we appreciate how well you behaved in the restaurant. We’re looking forward to the next time.”