Eating out with kids

Kids love dining out even though you might not think so at the time, especially when they are throwing a tantrum in the restaurant or have just dumped a bowl of pasta on the floor in front of the waiter.

Some parents stop dining out when their little ones come along because it all seems like too much hard work. But I have always loved this area of my life and was determined that wouldn’t change when I had my daughter.

Pulling together a team of like-minded mothers we anonymously reviewed restaurants in Sydney and surrounds according to a high standard of kid-friendly criteria. I deliver the findings in my new book, Eating Out With Kids. For parents who want family friendly places to eat out with the kids, relax - there is hope.

When your kids are very young start by heading out to lunch and be on the lookout for restaurants that are near a favourite attraction you know your kids will enjoy. That way you can make a day of it. Once you have fine-tuned your dining experience during the day make the next dining out experience a dinner. However, be sure to make it early so you that you can be home before that witching hour.

Don’t be afraid to phone ahead. Asking some simple questions will soon give you a good idea if the restaurant or café is child-friendly. Find out whether they provide high-chairs, have change table facilities (depending on the age of your little one), offer children’s menus with healthy alternatives and if the entrance is pram accessible. All these questions will assist you in choosing the right restaurant for your family to dine in.

Children learn about food and eating from the adults around them and what they learn now they will take into their adult lives. Healthy choices for children when eating out include steamed foods, vegetable-based dishes, stir-fries, soups and sushi at Asian restaurants. Hamburgers with salad instead of fried extras, thin style pizzas with vegetables and lean meats and sandwiches are all good options. Continued...