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From a Parent's Perspective - Dare to Dine Out

by Roslyn Duffy
September/October 1999
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Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/from-a-parents-perspective-dare-to-dine-out/5012918/

- Situation -

Last week my sister-in-law took our whole family out to brunch at an elegant restaurant. "Our whole family" consists of my husband, our three year old daughter, ten month old baby, and me. Disaster does not begin to describe the ordeal. Our three year old spent her time trying to hide under the tablecloth and tickle people's feet, darting off between tables and nearly tripping a waiter carrying a tray full of drinks. I won't even mention what the baby did, but it involved me spending most of the meal in the ladies' room, which was not equipped for babies. I figure we won't be eating out for at least the next 20 years.


- Solution -

A preschooler, lots of adult observers, and few child-friendly options add up to disaster. One of the hardest things for most adults to handle is figuring out how to discipline a child in public. We want to be regarded by the rest of the world as rational, civilized people and caring parents. Dealing with a wily youngster amidst the hotel's crystal glassware does not bring out the best of these traits in most adults.

There are many "shoulds" reverberating in parents' heads. They ...

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