tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post7871847909205728007..comments2009-04-07T08:37:23.619-07:00Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748355538825811136noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-16876051074663719572009-04-06T23:20:00.000-07:002009-04-06T23:20:00.000-07:00I had to laugh..and cry. I've taken my grandkids out and I follow those rules. I won't take them out to a super fancy restaurant until they are older.<BR/><BR/>I also believe that it is way helpful to expect the same behavior at home..so they get that meal-time is not play time.<BR/><BR/>Great post!!Melly/Melody/or Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124981411465130722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-60855395933424237932009-03-31T04:39:00.000-07:002009-03-31T04:39:00.000-07:00Joy--<BR/><BR/>First of all, your blog kicks ass (and has always kicked ass). It's been a while since I've last visited, but your writing still makes me laugh out loud. In public places. Nicely done...<BR/><BR/>Second, this list kicks ass. My wife and I aren't quite at the kid stage yet, but this post has given me hope for when that time finally comes around...<BR/><BR/>Oh great, now I miss SF...jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889509004930367792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-27559975103232584572009-01-08T19:53:00.000-08:002009-01-08T19:53:00.000-08:00Most of those are very good rules. I think our boys behave better in restaurants than they do at home.Katie's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09710007470847106706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-22182188870639787852008-12-24T11:30:00.000-08:002008-12-24T11:30:00.000-08:00Love the list. Thank you for posting this! I've forwarded on to some other moms-to-be so that they have some hope for getting out, too.<BR/><BR/>We have not been out to a 'nice' restaurant but have been to diners and local family owned places on the Peninsula and the City with our now 2.5 month old. We've been lucky as regulars at one diner - the owner held our daughter and soothed her to sleep so we can eat our brunch and not have to take turns. During our meals out, we often meet parents who tell us 'to get out as much as possible NOW" because once the kid is mobile, it's a different game. Once the 'curious and wandering' phase is over, I'm hopeful that as long as I teach my daughter what my parents instilled - table manners and to respect food - that we'll be able to go out to a really nice meal as a family.<BR/><BR/>Am looking forward to more posts with Diner #3 experiences.the Lumpiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921933025767869316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-56423411527623202672008-12-22T18:50:00.000-08:002008-12-22T18:50:00.000-08:00Beautifully written as always!!!michelenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-67676251382542302222008-12-06T23:15:00.000-08:002008-12-06T23:15:00.000-08:00Very good rules and ones I myself follow with my son (now 30 months old). But write again when Diner #3 is around 2 and let us know if it continues to be as easy as it is now. We used to take our son everywhere--Delfina (they are so fabulous), Range etc.--and up until the time he was about 2, it was no problem. After that, he started wanting to squirm and climb around. Hate to be a buzzkill, but just want to warn you, it may get harder...but enjoy while you can!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-83120423458175176992008-12-05T14:03:00.000-08:002008-12-05T14:03:00.000-08:00We were able to do sit down dinners until Ivy really started moving around and just wanted to be down, walking, climbing, moving. Now at almost 3, she'll sit at the table again. But of course now Scarlett is 1 which means soon to be walking, etc and soon to be not interested in sitting still! <BR/><BR/>But love your list. We order ASAP and ask for the check so we can bolt if necessary. We still take turns, especially with 2 kids. Mostly we just stay home, or order out because often, dining out and juggling 2 kids just isn't fun for the adults, even WITH margaritas! But in 2 years or so, we're SO back into the restaurant rotation. And when they are both in public school, we'll funnel all that daycare/preschool money to dinner out. Yay!mollyfnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00619650494415817857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-39126831174452888992008-11-30T23:36:00.000-08:002008-11-30T23:36:00.000-08:00Wow. I haven't checked-in on this blog for awhile but this post couldn't be more timely. I have a six month old and really want to get out to nice dinners occasionally (without having to hire/pay a babysitter) but I'm scared shitless of taking our guy out and what that might entail. Today we tried Park Chalet for lunch since it is outside and it worked reasonably ok but I think our guy is teething so he's a bit testy.<BR/><BR/>Any Bay Area restaurants you felt really lend themselves to a first try? <BR/><BR/>THank you for this post--it has given me hope. Wish me luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-33550119777824959442008-11-21T08:05:00.000-08:002008-11-21T08:05:00.000-08:00I have an 18 month old and we have been using a lot of those tactics--mostly we do OK and sometimes he is totally not into it. Some toddlers get into an active period and it is hard to sit for very long even at home. It makes me sad because I felt like we made real progress but we decided to keep on trying occasionally because it is important to us. Sometimes the stress isn't worth it so I understand the mentality a little bit about not bothering, I still do.<BR/><BR/>We were just visiting SF 2 weeks ago and I really wanted to go to some old favorites and a new place or two. These days I just go early because that is when he is hungry and there are less people to annoy. We actually got away with dining at Coco500 before any other people got there which helped and he loved his pasta there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-83983154040488366532008-11-17T09:21:00.000-08:002008-11-17T09:21:00.000-08:00Awesome. I love when parents take their squawking babies outside and enraged when they don't.Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10931380770342598889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-27038261924642458892008-11-16T16:46:00.000-08:002008-11-16T16:46:00.000-08:00You must have recognized haddock and his family as role models -- the sardine was a fine dining companion from the git-go, and his parents' handling has always been attuned to the situation. My son went to lunch at Pete's Tavern in Manhattan after his first pediatric check-up (one month? long time ago!).kudzuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17568605434930160363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-80484573848999435592008-11-14T21:57:00.000-08:002008-11-14T21:57:00.000-08:00fbomb -- alas, no. We got back from our trip 2 weeks ago. Bravo to those parents, though!Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748355538825811136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-62899730462794858882008-11-14T21:35:00.000-08:002008-11-14T21:35:00.000-08:00I know this is a shot in the dark but were you guys dining at the Lahaina Grill last Friday night? I noticed a well-behaved child sitting with super prepared parents (armed with books, toys, snacks, etc.) behind our table (with the fussy baby and somewhat well-behaved 3-year-old). If so, diner #3 rocks!fbombhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02632513482146045825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-73101553659620049452008-11-14T13:45:00.000-08:002008-11-14T13:45:00.000-08:00Joy, I want to print this out and laminate it for every parent (or prospective parent) I know who tells me that we can only go to "kid-friendly" restaurants (which, as far as I can tell, means places with a 400-decibel noise level and really mediocre food) if we want to get together. My parents followed all these rules, and I turned out fine...and ate in restaurants all over the world starting when I was an infant. It totally can be done. Thank you for providing such a great guide.Geniehttp://www.theinadvertentgardener.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-52590451568029021172008-11-14T11:00:00.000-08:002008-11-14T11:00:00.000-08:00Congratulations on your success! I'm pleased to hear that you stuck with it and your efforts have paid off.<BR/><BR/>We used a similar approach with our now nearly 6 year old daughter, and she LOVES fine dining. She uses her most excellent "princess manners", likes to wear a fancy dress, and enjoys tasting menus because "you get surprises and you don't know what the cooker is going to fix for you!"<BR/><BR/>When our daughter was a toddler, we found it very helpful to get lots of exercise (eg swim for an hour) and a good nap just before going out for a late, long dinner. She was mellow and happy to sit and color or play quietly with a small toy after having fun and getting worn out. We're also lucky that she will just lean over and fall asleep in restaurants.<BR/><BR/>At age 4 she told our waitress about the larb gai at Arun Thai -- "It's even better than my mama makes at home!" She then was taken back to the kitchen to meet the chef. We parents were bummed that we didn't get to go with her to learn the secret recipe at this delicious fine dining establishment in Chicago.<BR/><BR/>I hope you continue to have good luck and fun dining experiences!Jeannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-34888655803253102402008-11-14T01:28:00.000-08:002008-11-14T01:28:00.000-08:00Thanks so much for this. <BR/><BR/>My parents took me everywhere when I was growing up. We traveled a lot for my dad's business and were often staying in hotels, eating in restaurants, etc. My first birthday was in a high-end restaurant and I had RIBS. There are pictures. <BR/><BR/>I remember almost always being the only child in any restaurant we went to. I remember my dad walking around with me, showing me the restaurant decorations. I remember my mom making me at least TRY everything that was ordered, even though I was pretty picky. I remember my parents NEVER forcing me to eat off the "kid's menu" of boringness and blandness.<BR/><BR/>What I don't remember is being taught table manners or any basic social niceties like "please" and "thank you." They started me so early that I can't think that far back. I clearly remember acting up now and then, but I also remember being aware that I wasn't supposed to. Which I guess is the most important part.Lynaehttp://panopoly.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584493.post-69072653152903081352008-11-13T17:46:00.000-08:002008-11-13T17:46:00.000-08:00It's a great list. Are you writing a book?<BR/><BR/>And how, please, can I get Bean Sprout invited to nice restaurants? (I know. Move to France.)cookiecrumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00741894180391507513noreply@blogger.com