E is for Eating Out

Kids love going out to eat! It's usually we parents who get stressed by it-the time, cost & fear they won't behave. But don't let that stop you!

Many places have a cheap lunch special that might be large enough you can share with a child, or two children can share one meal. Chinese restaurants are great for their inexpensive lunch specials (usually under $5).

Instead of buying each child their own meal, even if it is a kids' meal, buy a large adult meal and have them share. If we stop at McDonald's (usually a last-minute dinner on a night I have a meeting) I sometimes get the large nugget meal and have all three kids share. If I get them Happy Meals, we only get 1 with fries (the kids don't eat many fries) and the rest with apple slices. It's nice because if it doesn't get eaten then it's pre-packaged and they can eat it later.

Also, look for deals online. KidsMealDeals.com has a listing of restaurant chains with kids' specials. (It doesn't look like they're nationwide quite yet, but you might see a special for a local chain you can contact to see if they also offer it.)

If you look for a deal and can get a meal out cheap, it's great to take the kids out. More opportunities eating out means more practice for them to sit nice, use indoor voices and order food for themselves. If you show them the skills they need, they'll take that confidence with them in other situations.