[honeychile]

My own two cents:

-If at all possible, one day a week should be set aside to practice AT HOME on how to behave at a restaurant. How children should not order $55.00 steaks, throw french fries, or kick under the table. They should learn the difference between good and bad dinner conversation, and that GOOD restaurants demand "no, sir", "yes, ma'am", "thank you", and "please" - even to the wait staff - which at home is probably Mom. (Yes, I threw the sir & ma'am in there, just in case it's not used on a regular basis!) It's good practice, and frankly, the children should thank their mother-father-cook for nice meal that was prepared for them.

-Others may/will disagree with me, but at around 10 years old, while at the Home Dinner, wine (watered down or not) can be added. Most of the people I know who do not drink themselves silly learned how to drink at home. Of course, if there is an alcoholism problem in the family, scratch this.

-Don't hold out for manners only at "fancy" restaurants! I don't particularly care to have any meal ruined by unruly children - especially when a salad bar is involved!

-When the day comes to go into any restaurant that doesn't involve a Happy Meal or a Giant Rodent, if the child misbehaves, the parent should give the child a warning that they will leave if said child doesn't start to behave. Then, DO IT! This happened a few months ago at a family restaurant, and the father marched the child out to the car, and about 10 minutes later, they came back. The child went to the three tables around them, and apologized for his behavior. We took the time to congratulate his parents on truly preparing their child for adulthood. The smile they exchanged was positively beatific!

-Finally, many of us need to remember that kids are overstimulated by so much these days, that we tend to get a little miffed about children misbehaving. We need to realize that a child with a book or a DVD with earphones is better than screaming any day of the week!