Name: Bill
Problem: Would your chatters frequent an upscale restaurant geared toward families with a play area for children (if one existed), or would they leave the kids with a sitter and have a nice meal alone? In my area there is only McDonald's, and I would like better food in a better atmosphere. Am I the only parent who thinks this way?
Solution submitted by Lynn from Phoenix, AZ: Hi, My husband and I miss really good restaurants. A hotel in our area caters to families on vacation and have a few teenagers that entertain the kids (for tips) with balloons, bubbles, etc.. Its an outdoor restaurant and the kids stay outdoors within view. If the service was a little faster we would have made it through the whole meal without an interruption. We really loved the concept. Also, I have heard of a restaurant that has two entrances - one for kids and one for adults - the adults can see the kids through a one-way mirror and apparently the food is very upscale - I believe its in Houston, Texas. This way you can see the kids (and more importantly the sitters). We would love to go to that restaurant. Since we both work we get the guilts for hiring a sitter on the weekend. Good Luck.
Another solution submitted by Vicki from Dallas, TX: I agree, I like to eat out with the kids but I like my kids to eat "good" food. I wish restaurants would have "family" areas where childless couples wouldn't get upset sitting next to children. I also want my kids to eat from the "seniors" menu where there is good food in smaller portions. If they could guarantee a quicker serving time we wouldn't need a play area. Some restaurants give crayons and menus the kids can write on, this is great. Kids also like pictures so they can take part in ordering. I think there is good lessons for the kids to learn at restaurants but the restaurants need to do a little planning before we get there. Offer a "family" hour like 5-6 where they cater to us, they we wont bother them at other times.
Another solution submitted by "Butmom..." from Sacramento, CA: I agree with the other answer (below). It would be to hard to enjoy a nice meal with the interruptions. And I'm not a stay at home and cook type of person. It's just that when I go to a restaurant I have certain expectations. From McDonalds, I expect a dirty floor, terrible food, forget service, but my child is happy playing in their play area as long as she can run up to me any time and get my undivided attention. I do take her (3 yr) to some nicer restaurants and yes she does sit and tries to behave. But I still don't enjoy that meal as much as I would if she was with a sitter and I could taste my food while it was still hot. I wouldn't go to a restaurant that offered to watch my child while I ate and leave her with someone I didn't know. I already fight with the low wages that daycare workers receive to watch my child and restaurants don't pay their workers very much. I have yet to see a situation where workers are adequately staffed or trained to deal with several children and their differences.
I wish you the best of luck if you attempt this. Please keep the children in mind when designing this idea.
Another solution submitted by Mabear from Phoenix, AZ: I can surely appreciate your desire for better food and atmosphere but somehow, the two don't seem to go together with children's play areas (in MY head). The reason for this is because of the level of demand involved whenever my husband and I go out to eat with our children. I fear it would frustrate me to no end to be in a place of greater ambiance and better food and then to still have to troubleshoot and be "on call" like every mother is in places like that. If there was a place available following the criteria you mentioned, I'm certain I'd have no inclination to go just because of the following scenario which is par for us: We arrive at McDonalds and I am fielding special orders (sister bear won't eat anything but a cheeseburger plain but wants the toy so hubby states he'll eat the rest but add a [whatever] because he's big, and brother bear, at 9 years old, has graduated to full size meals plus leftovers but no pickles).
O.K. now, here is the tricky part Bill. The kids' goal is the playroom so their dinnertime at this point is going to last no more that 7 1/2 minutes but that's not all. Their playtime itself will be maxed out at 45 minutes. The 8 times I get called to troubleshoot just kind of fit in there somewhere. My kids don't even like family restaurants right now. They'd rather eat at home and quite frankly, for this stage of their development, it's far preferable to me and my husband too. You brought up the healthier food issue which is an excellent one and I too wish the options were broadened in that respect, which is why we do eat here at home 99% of the time. If you open such a restaurant Bill, I certainly wish you the best!:)
Please submit any more solutions.