The Value of Dining Out with Kids: Why Restaurants Should Welcome Families

We make it a priority to carve out time for romantic nights at fine dining establishments, where the atmosphere, the service, and the food create an experience that is both special and relaxing. These are adults-only occasions, with a babysitter at home watching the kids. On these evenings, we can talk for hours, unwind, and enjoy carefully crafted meals. It’s not a setting our children would appreciate, nor is it one they would enjoy. The food can be too complex for their tastes, and the experience itself would likely bore them. However, on other nights out, we always bring them along.

From a young age, we have made a point to introduce our children to dining out, teaching them how to behave in restaurants. The same rules apply as they do at home: remain seated during the meal, eat with utensils, avoid making a mess, and clean up if they spill. They know that dinner time, whether at home or in a restaurant, is not an occasion for playing. Moreover, we expect them to interact with restaurant staff politely, saying "please" and "thank you" when ordering their food or drinks. These are basic, yet essential, lessons in how to conduct oneself in public.

Given this, it is with great disappointment that I observe a growing trend of restaurants outright banning children. This trend appears to be a direct response to families whose children are not under control during their dining experience. In truth, there seem to be more of these cases than one might expect.

While I understand the frustration from restaurant owners and patrons alike, resorting to a blanket ban on children is not the solution. For families like ours, who work hard to teach their children proper behavior in public spaces, these policies feel not only unfair but detrimental. More importantly, they point to a deeper issue: if we, as a society, do not teach our children how to behave in restaurants today, how will they function as adults in similar settings?

Restaurants are not merely places to eat; they are environments where children can learn critical social skills, respect for others, patience, and the ability to engage in conversation. Shielding them from these experiences robs them of the chance to develop the maturity needed to navigate public spaces as adults.

Additionally, the idea that families should be relegated to "kid-friendly" restaurants is problematic. While these establishments serve their purpose, they often lack the quality of food and atmosphere that adults enjoy. Parents shouldn’t have to sacrifice the dining experience altogether or be forced to only eat at restaurants where the focus is more on child entertainment than culinary excellence.

Ultimately, the answer lies in teaching children how to behave in public, rather than banning them from participating altogether. Restaurants should be spaces where families, including children, are welcome, provided everyone follows the basic standards of courtesy and respect.

I sincerely hope that this trend of banning children does not become the norm. We need to remember that today’s children are tomorrow’s adults. The way we teach them to act in public now will shape how they conduct themselves in the future. It is our responsibility to ensure they are prepared for that.