Restaurant for kids that's not Two Boots???

homeowner

bklyngirl wrote: [quote=homeowner]I think that the folks that are answering for the most part have kids. As several of us have written its more an issue of why pay for a grilled cheese at a 3 star if the kid would be perfectly happy with a grilled cheese from Soup N' Burger?

I agree with that, but i also think that kids don't learn manners and how to behave decently in public unless they are occasionally exposed to a nice dining experience every now and then.

I wouldn't make a habit out of a $14 burger, but kids definitely know more is expected of them at, say, Blue Ribbon, than at Chuck E. Cheese or Bubby's. At Bubby's I can't get them to sit still (and mine are not small kids) because there is too much going on - too much noise, too much distraction. We all hated Chuck E. Cheese and went only once ever.

Ironically, my kids tend to be really happy and extra well behaved at Katz's. I think it's because there are mostly adults there, even though the atmosphere is super casual.

Okay, I get you now. I agree that kids should be exposed to nicer dining experiences as part of learning generally how to behave in public. And they definitely do learn by example. But, I think that comes as much from how you train your kids at home. Kids should learn to sit down at a table and eat their food like human beings whether they are in a five-star or at the kitchen table.

That's actually one of the things I am really strict about. We eat together as a family at least once a day, and everyone has to behave properly. So there is no standing at the table and eating, everyone uses utensils and napkins, etc. As a result, the kids know how to behave when they go out, not because they're out but because that's how you behave at the dinner table, period. As you said, its more of giving them a good example to follow and showing them how to behave like civilized people.

livetotravel

even at Schnak ("I'd like a quad, dry please.")

Oh, God, me too! I'd like a quad right now, please?

ljnd

Kids know the difference between home and out. My 9-year-old routinely inhales her home dinners through her nose, leaving a large wake of noodles or ground meat as she darts from the table in record time...whereas in restaurants she has manners that would put many adults to shame. Gifted with chopsticks, and gracious to waiters, and leaves nothing on the floor or the seat - frankly, I take her to dinner so I can relax instead of harping on her for manners.

Despite chiding, positive reinforcement, and every form of child psychology I can think of (including deducting allowance) I cannot figure out how to get these manners in my own house. Nevertheless, I'm grateful that she is so exquisite outside!

veets

ljnd wrote: Kids know the difference between home and out. My 9-year-old routinely inhales her home dinners through her nose, leaving a large wake of noodles or ground meat as she darts from the table in record time...whereas in restaurants she has manners that would put many adults to shame. Gifted with chopsticks, and gracious to waiters, and leaves nothing on the floor or the seat - frankly, I take her to dinner so I can relax instead of harping on her for manners.

Despite chiding, positive reinforcement, and every form of child psychology I can think of (including deducting allowance) I cannot figure out how to get these manners in my own house. Nevertheless, I'm grateful that she is so exquisite outside!

You made me smile with this post.. And seriously, you are raising a daughter who knows when the spotlight is on and she needs to use all her manners and charm! That is a good understanding to have when she steps foot on the adult stage of life! Whatever you have taught this child about proper behavior is in there.. the kid just is choosing to display it in public.

bklyngirl

ljnd wrote: Kids know the difference between home and out. My 9-year-old routinely inhales her home dinners through her nose, leaving a large wake of noodles or ground meat as she darts from the table in record time...whereas in restaurants she has manners that would put many adults to shame. Gifted with chopsticks, and gracious to waiters, and leaves nothing on the floor or the seat - frankly, I take her to dinner so I can relax instead of harping on her for manners.

oh so true!! Kids always behave differently at home. We also do the family dinner thing, which involves telling them to sit up, eat with a fork, don't rub your fingers on your sleeve, etc. Miraculously, none of this ever happens in public. They will even excuse themselves for the loo and ask a waiter where exactly it is, as they stroll cautiously thru the room.

I know it's OT, and don't want to start another bad kid/bad parent war, but i really do think that the new "baby things" market is aimed at keeping kids immature. I recently saw Baby Einstein shampoo in the supermarket - like you're supposed to wash the brains into your kids head.

Too much focus on brain learning and enrichment, not enough focus on play, imagination, and socialization. Or teaching parents to respect their kids as people.