Going Out for Mother’s Day? Tips for Getting Kids to Behave
Taking the special mother in your life out for brunch or dinner can be a wonderful way to celebrate Mother’s Day and also a great opportunity to get the family together. However, if “the family” involves kids, then some strategic planning will be in order to ensure that the meal is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, especially for mom. Indeed, making sure that the kids are on their best behavior is one of the best ways to make Mother’s Day a huge success. Here are some tips to help you and the kids work together to make this day as special as possible for mom.
- Work on manners beforehand: While it’s a given that smaller kids especially can make eating out a task, even older kids can feel a bit challenged when asked to sit still and behave for an extended period of time. Taking a few minutes ahead of time at home to talk about manners and proper restaurant etiquette can make all the difference, as it will make it clear to your kids exactly what is expected of them. Start by talking about “indoor voices” and basic table manners, such as keeping elbows off the table, using utensils and not hands to eat, and placing your napkin in your lap. Also remind them that belching is not appropriate no matter how funny it might seem. Teach them that “yes, please,” “no, thank you,” and “you’re welcome” will go a long way toward a successful Mother’s Day meal. Remember, table manners practiced at home often enough will become second nature to your kids, and when it is time to put them to good use on Mother’s Day, everyone will be impressed (and grateful), especially their mother and/or grandmother.
- Let them know what to expect: Getting younger kids to behave while dining out on Mother’s Day is not overly challenging if you remember that little kids always do better when they know what’s coming. If going out to eat is not a common occurrence in your family, try practicing a few times at home before you get to the restaurant. Assign roles, where someone plays the waiter, and someone gets to order; you can even have mock menus drawn up with actual meals similar to those they can expect to see on the menu at the restaurant. From here you can teach your child or children to speak clearly and order dinner for themselves. Kids who can order their own food will feel more of a part of things, and therefore more grown up and independent, and this can make all the difference at your Mother’s Day meal.
- Bring props: Manners are everything at a restaurant, but kids can only be good for so long, particularly at a longer meal. Thus, on the day of the outing, it’s important to make sure you are well prepared. As the meal drags on and you notice the kids starting to get squirrely, this is the time to pull out the “big guns”: coloring books, puzzle books, and even handheld devices like an iPod or portable video game system. If they’re still restless after being given something to do, then try to use dessert as a bribe—this works practically every time.
Going out to eat on Mother’s Day is a great way to give mom the day off and spend some quality time together as a family, but well-behaved kids can really make the experience relaxing, enjoyable, and memorable. With a little preparation and home training in manners and etiquette, you can give mom a Mother’s Day to remember.