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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
Enjoy dining out with kids
Parents know taking kids out to eat requires
patience. Th e sights and sounds of a restaurant
can be overwhelming and distracting to children
used to eating at home.
Toddlers have not learned to control their
impulses yet, and even school-aged children may
experience intermittent breakdowns when they
are uncomfortable or not feeling well. But parents
who want to take their tots out on the town can
employ some easy steps to make eating out a fun
excursion for everyone.
PRACTICE
Daniel Post Senning, the great-grandson
of etiquette expert Emily Post and co-author
of “Emily Post’s Etiquette, 18th edition,” says
parents can practice dining out by replicating the
experience (as much as possible) at home. Ask the
children to use inside voices and exhibit proper
behavior at the dinner table. Remove children
from the table if they misbehave and try again
another time.
Parents also can acclimate their youngsters to
dining out by gradually working their way up to
more formal restaurants. Start by dining out at a
place where table behavior or noise may be more
tolerable, such as a fast-food restaurant, before
moving on to a casual restaurant and then a nicer
restaurant when kids can handle it.
will not disturb other patrons.
Restaurants tend to be less busy right before
dinner service and directly aft er. If you can time
your meals to these off -peak hours, it may make
for a more enjoyable dining experience.
PROVIDE DISTRACTIONS
Many young children cannot sit still for long
and may need a series of distractions to keep
them entertained throughout meals. Pack a bag of
tricks that includes toys, games, books, and even
a digital device tuned to kids’ favorite programs.
Pick restaurants that do not have a long wait
to get a seat so that kids’ patience has not worn
thin before you even make it to the table. A
sightseeing walk around the restaurant also may
be able to provide a welcome distraction until the
food is ready.
OFFER PLENTY OF PRAISE
Always let children know when they
are doing a great job and behaving well in a
restaurant. Engage kids in conversation and keep
them entertained. Boredom or attention-seeking
behavior can make dining out with youngsters
more diffi cult to manage.
A treat or a special reward (sticker or coloring
book) can be off ered to a child who behaves when
dining out.
BE COURTEOUS AND RESPECTFUL
Many children will eventually act up in
restaurants, and parents should respond to such
instances as courteously as possible. Apologize to
those around you whom your child has disturbed.
Remove your son or daughter from the area and
take a few moments to help him or her calm
down. If kids can’t be calmed down, ask that your
meal be wrapped.
Remember to clean up aft er yourselves and
thank the waitstaff for any extra service, such as
lugging a heavy high chair or providing extra
silverware if kids drop any forks or spoons.
Don’t leave a large mess for the server, and tip
accordingly.
Children grow accustomed to dining out
over time. It may take some practice, but with
the right planning, families can enjoy meals away
from home.
PACK SNACKS
Although the goal may be to eat out, kids
may not be as patient as adults when waiting for
their meals to be delivered. Ask servers to bring
out the kids’ meals when appetizers are served
or think ahead and have some light snacks, such
as crackers or dry cereal, available to tame kids’
hunger pangs.
CHOOSE RESTAURANTS WISELY
Make concessions as to where and when you
eat. Coordinate around nap times so children will
be happy and well-rested.
Select restaurants that accommodate
children. Ask to be seated out of the way just in
case your son or daughter acts up. Th is way you
S urfside Restaurant /Lounge
The Grill & Lounge
at Sandpines
Lunch served Wed-Sun 11:30-5:00
HAPPY HOUR 2-5 Wed-Sun
DINNER SPECIAL
Purchase 1st entrée receive 2nd 1/2 price
Dinner FRI and SAT nights from 5-8pm
Expires 6/30/15
1201 35th Street at Kingwood, Florence
Highway 101 & 35 St.
541-997-4623
Hi, Welcome Restaurant
to Mo’s
Mo’s
®
~ FEATURED LOW-CARB SELECTIONS ~
Every Month
Mo's Grilled,
has brought
"Motivation
SALMON:
Poached, in or special
Blackened
for Kids"
tables
which
raise
money
for
local
charities
CHICKEN BREAST: Boneless, Skinless Breast of Chicken
that are devoted to helping the wellbeing of local
SHRIMP SKEWERS: 2 Grilled Shrimp Skewers
children. This month FLORENCE HEAD START
All of the above are served with
local
charity
being
Green Beans is or the
Mixed
Steamed
Veggies
and honored.
a Shrimp Dinner Salad
NEW
these
tables ITEMS
you help
By sitting at
a
specific
local RIBS:
charity
each
Baby
Back and
Pork Ribs with the
BBQ PORK
every time. We James
thank Gang
you BBQ
for Sauce
that!
BLACKENED SALMON CEASAR SALAD
Mo’s Old
Town, Florence • Daily 11 am - 8 pm
®
Mo’s
Town,
Florence
• Daily
11 am - 8 pm
Serving Old
Bowls
of comfort
for Over
50 Years
Serving Bowls of comfort for Over 50 Years • 541-997-2185
WE NOW HAVE CRAFT BEER ON TAP
FRIDAY Surf and Turf
Grilled ribeye with 3 prawns served with
Yukon mashers and sautéed broccoli
SATURDAY: Pan seared salmon, shrimp and scallops
TUESDAY, JUNE 9 TH
served with a lemon honey mustard glaze and slivered
AND EVERY TUESDAY AFTER THAT
almonds over sautéed green beans
FISH BASKET AND FRIES
W/SODA…..$7.99
Hours: 2 p.m. -6 p.m.
Open for Lunch & Dinner • Lunch Specials Daily
Reservations Suggested.
165 M APLE S T . • 541-997-9811•
Hours
Tues-Sat:
11:30am-9pm
WWW . MAPLESTREETGRILLE . COM
CALL: 541-997-8263
Le Bouchon
P ROVISIONS
W INE B AR & S ALES - D ELICATESSEN
Locally Baked Pastries – Breads – Muffins
Sandwiches - Soup - Salads
Our Organic Garden is supplying our
Greens and Vegtables
Willamette Valley Raw Milk Cheeses
NEW: FRESH CINNAMON ROLLS
SPECIAL:
Maple Leaf Duck Confit on Organic Greens
Open Daily 10 am - 5pm • Closed M ondays
1277 Bay Street- Old Town Florence - 5 41-902 -1391
Prime Rib Wednesday
Includes yukon mashed
potatoes and salad. Only
$16
1285 Bay Street in Old Town Florence, OR 97439
(541) 902-8338
Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00am to Close
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 3:00pm to 5:00pm