Question:
My 2 1/2 year old has become very fussy in restaurants. I love to go out to eat with him, but don’t want to embarass myself in front of the entire restaurant. Some kids seem so well behaved! Is there anything I should be doing to get him to behave?- Melissa

Grandma’s Answer:
Ahhh, I so remember those days and am reliving them with my grandchildren now. First of all, you need to set the guidelines and at 2 1/2 there needs to be some. You need to explain that there are other people in the restaurant who are there to enjoy themselves with peace and quiet during their meal. Tell them they need to express themselves in a “normal” voice tone, not screaming. Calmly explain that if they do scream, you will leave. And be prepared to really leave if they misbehave!

One thing that parents do is come up with idle threats. That is probably one of the biggest discipline mistakes that parents make and truly the most annoying one, especially for bystanders. Let me explain one thing: You might think your child is adorable, and you might think that they are the most special person in this world, but when they are acting up in the restaurant and the table next to you has to put up with it, they are not.

I have been out in a restaurant with a misbehaving child/grandchild and I have left with food on the table or even before the order came and paid and never put one morsel in my mouth. So get the rules down. Tell them what is acceptable and what is not and FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THOSE GUIDELINES! Do not give them 50 chances.

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