Before we started a family in the eighties, my husband and I loved to go out! We usually ended up in one of Calgary's restaurants. When our young son, Marc, arrived 14-years ago, we decided to continue dining out, this time enjoying the experience as a family. Over the years, we picked up several great tips that we think can make eating out with small children the treasured respite from the world it should be.

1.  Let your kids know dining out is a special family treat. The first few times, before leaving the house, role-play being in a restaurant with your kids to help them learn how to order a meal and how to conduct themselves politely in public.
2. Remember the French proverb, "A good meal ought to begin with hunger." A child who enters a restaurant not interested in eating is sure to become irritable and increases the likelihood that your family outing will be a disaster.
3. Call ahead and insure the restaurant you have chosen is suitable for children and that it is open. If the place takes reservations, make one!
4. If you cannot make a reservation, it is smart to ask what time is best to bring young kids who may not have the patience to wait in an entry area for long. My husband and I found that arriving right at the time such a restaurant opens often ensures you are seated quickly.
5. If the eatery is new to your family, inquire about the menu to ensure at least a few items on it appeal to your children.
6. Once seated, ask your server to recommend a simple light appetizer that can arrive at your table fast! We learned the hard way that encouraging kids to eat a few of the bread and buns that typically arrive at the table within minutes of your arrival only serves to fill them up really quickly, justifiably deadening their interest in anything you might beg them to eat thereafter. We discovered that whetting kids' appetites a little allowed us a bit more time to explore and discuss the menu.
7. Depending upon the age of your kids, you may want to research a bit about the restaurant's particular cuisine and share your knowledge with them. Our family was delighted to learn that when we dined out during non-peak hours, servers at local Thai, Indian and Indonesian restaurants often had time to share a few stories about their menu items and explain the significance of their particular decor.
8. For those energetic and organized parents who know they have active kids, bringing a well-stocked large vinyl bag with plenty of side pockets is a great idea. I often packed markers, pencils, and pads of paper for our young son and his friends. Marc often tossed favorite books, and small toys and games into the bag as well.
9.  Relax! Enjoy visiting as a family! Avoid topics that could spark a conflict.
10. Talk to other parents about where they like to dine out. Thanks to our chats at the park and local pool, we discovered some wonderful places to eat with our young son.