Page One of this article.
Expect the Limelight
Anywhere you go in public with your twins or multiples, you're likely to draw attention. Sometimes it's fun to be in the limelight, but many times it is distracting and annoying. There's no doubt that you'll draw your share of attention when dining out, but there are some ways you can minimize it and generate some privacy.
Ask for a booth or a table in a secluded section. Avoid eye contact with other diners; they'll see that you want to be left alone. If you are approached by strangers, smile politely, answer their questions to the extent of your tolerance, then excuse yourself and return to your meal. (More hints for handling public attention.)
Enlist Help
You can't go it alone. A wonderful waiter or waitress can turn an ordinarly meal into an occasion with solicitous help and timeliness, and likewise make an okay situation go downhill quickly with rudeness or evasiveness. Enlist the help of the staff, from the hostess you encounter at the entry to the servers to the busboy. Politeness and friendliness go a long way to ensuring good treatment, as does a generous tip as a reward!
You can also bring your own help. If you're lucky enough to have grandparents or other relatives nearby, invite them to come along. If you don't have willing family members, consider hiring a babysitter to join you for dinner. More hands mean more help, and more help means happier multiples, which increases the chances that you'll get to enjoy your meal!
More Tactics
• Model good manners for your children. They'll look to you for cues on how to behave in a restaurant. Don't hesitate to walk out of the restaurant with one or both of them if they are misbehaving. Show them that inappropriate behavior is not acceptable in a restaurant.
• Play tag-team. One parent can eat in peace while the other attends to the twins. Or divide and conquer., with each parent handling the needs of one child.
• Make the dinner entertaining. Walk around the restaurant and look at the decor. Play games to keep them occupied while they wait. One of our family's favorites is "I'm Thinking of a Disney Character..." where we try to guess the character by asking questions and receiving clues.
• Move dangerous or off-limites out of reach: silverware, salt and pepper shakers, drinks, etc. Put playthings within each reach.
• A stroller is useful for getting your multiples through the restaurant and to your seat. But, once you're situation at your table, park the stroller out of the way of servers and fellow diners.
• Choose restaurants that offer comfortable seating that is appropriate for your multiples' age. Sling-style seats are wonderful for accomodating infants. Keep younger babies in their infant carrier seats until they can sit up in a highchair. Booster seats will put toddlers at a comfortable level for the table.
• Finally, enjoy your meal!
Child Magazine created this list of Top Ten Family Restaurants. What do you think. Stop by our message forum and talk about your family's favorites.
