From Deseret News archives:
How to teach kids good dining manners
When you take your children out, set up guidelines that are appropriate within your family, said Casey Bulkley, father of three and managing partner of Biaggi's at The Gateway.
"Verbalize those expectations with children of all ages: This is OK, this isn't OK; behave like this; remember to say please and thank you," Bulkley said. "Those are life skills for any situation, not just eating out."
Don't take children out to eat when they are tired or sick, advises mother of seven, grandmother of 30 and great-grandmother of seven LeAnn Rushton, who adds, "You are inviting trouble if you do."
Mother of two toddlers Christie Dickson advises heading off trouble before it starts, when possible. "We try to bring little snacks for them to eat before food arrives. We have had to take them out for a walk if service is slow, and we do our best to keep them well-behaved."
Children do better in smaller groups, said Rushton, who often takes her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to dinner in groups of three or four. "Eating out with our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is a good time for together time just to visit and enjoy one another."
Contrary to what many parents believe, Rushton said that, if she wants the children with her to behave, she avoids raucous eateries such as McDonald's or Joe's Crab Shack. "If you take them to a noisy place, you can just about expect your kids to be more hyper."
Reader Tanya Spackman, who calls herself "single and not a big fan of kids," said diners should pause a moment before judging groups with kids. "Hating the kids before you even find out how they behave is ridiculous."
When kids are behaving badly, Ogden resident Shelly Strahan thinks a little public reprimand might help. "I believe the solution is for more restaurants to embarrass parents who do allow their children to act like animals by asking them to leave. I think this would solve the problem."
Comments
- Sponsor for gay-rights bills found 9:53 a.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - BYU happy to escape with victory
205 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - TCU creams U.
156 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
One of my guilty pleasures is perusing the covers of celebrity magazines...
Hopefully, more and more people from big movies will come and visit the fans...
Approximately 26 years ago I moved to Utah from the midwest, returning to my...
The better team beat up on the entire state this year. TCU is the best team...
Bennett represents the future of the Republican party because he's shown the...
Congrats to the George family, and to the larger Cougar family as well. ...
Watched the game with other RSL fans here in DC. I'm still reeling from this...
When I was going to college in the mid 70s I really enjoyed listening to...
It sounds like Boyd Peterson is keeping his father-in-law's memory alive....
I am an old man, a conservative and life-long resident of Utah. For years I...
Can't we just say good job Utah and leave it at that. Does putting people...



You can be the first to comment on this story.