Find a Kid Friendly Restaurant that you can Enjoy

In all of the gifts, recognition, and perks of being a parent, we all just really want one thing. A dinner out that doesn't come with a toy or a paper hat. There are many establishments that pass out crayons, or have table side magic shows in an effort to appease the little ones, but those things do not really get you through a meal. If you want to get to enjoy an entire meal with kids in tow, look for these three characteristics in a restaurant. 

No matter what cuisine your palette is craving, be sure to pick someplace that promptly brings a bread bowl of some sort, and be sure it is bottomless. Kids do not have to wait to begin eating, so whining is minimalized, and their mouths are instantly busied, so.... well, whining is minimalized. Hand over a butter knife, butter packets, and honey, jelly or preserves if the restaurant has them and let the kids create. You can buy a half hour of intent kids trying to open those tiny tubs of butter. Let the waiter know that you stop at nothing for a quiet dinner, so refilling the bread twenty times is the answer, then bring it on. However, resist the waiter's suggestion to bring out the kids' entrees first. This mean they will just be really un-busy when your food comes. Wait it out. 

If you think your kids will be too full of bread to want much dinner, also check with the restaurants plate sharing policy. If you can just have an extra saucer with your meal to chare with a little one, that not only save cash for your pocket, but it keeps you from devouring a meal that really has enough calories and fat for two or three servings anyway. 

The kids may be so engorged with bread that even part of your serving may be too much, but chances are they will not resist dessert. Have the waiter present the dessert menu when he brings your food. Let the kids oh and ah over the true to life pictures and descriptions in the dessert menu until it no longer preoccupies them, and then beckon the waiter to bring the kids dessert pronto. Now days establishments are beginning to offer "shots" of desserts, and if this is the case where you are, each kid can have an individual serving. 

If you are a true pro, you asked for the check as soon as you ordered you last thing, and paid it upon arrival. This does not mean that you will not get to enjoy gourmet chocolate cake yourself; order it to go. Gather the youngsters, jet home, and put them in bed. Retreat to the couch in the den for a movie and your long awaited dessert. Enjoy your night. Y'all come back now, ya hear?