MiC

They say it takes a village to raise a child, well servers, here are 10 ways to do your part~

10. Beat any of your fellow servers who practice the “carrying baby around to see the sights” nonsense. It’s not your job to keep kids entertained. Further, unless it’s done for all kids, some will get upset. It also takes time away from your legitimate duties, and sets kids up for a false belief that they are allowed to roam.
9. Stop bringing out kid’s meals before everyone else’s. I know the intent is to get them eating and quiet, but it’s much better for kids to be restless before everyone begins eating. Otherwise, parents are trying to juggle antsy kids who are full of food and energy with their own need/want to eat.
8. Don’t deliver crackers to tables with toddlers. You know where they will end up -ground into the carpet. If you must bring a snack, try a ramekin of frozen peas, or some carrot sticks. With any luck, they’ll either choke, or get one stuck up their nostril (I kid. I kid).
7. With small children, don’t be afraid to dilute the juice/soft drinks. The mental image of little jr. pinging off the walls once his parent’s take him home is so inviting now, but you’ll be up a creek when his parents decide to camp out and enjoy coffee and desserts now, won’t ya?
6. Get into the habit of kicking the doors that lead out of expo alley with a hefty amount of force. This one might not technically help “raise” children, but it’ll go a long way towards teaching the value of treating a dining room like a playground.
5. When kids are sitting at a table separate from their parents, take your time making refill runs, and don’t ever fill a glass more than 2/3 of the way full.
4. Never fail to remind parents that sitting an infant carrier on an upside down high chair is dangerous and, “against Fire Marshall policy.”
3. Don’t automatically assume that a family with children is going to be a nightmare table.
2. Please don’t let the kid’s meal sit under the warmer for so long that the plate becomes white hot and will take 20 minutes of longing stares before it’s cool enough to eat from.
1. When it’s 7:30pm and we’ve been waiting for 45 minutes for a table, please thank children who display fantastic manners. Positive reinforcement works best, and it’s even better when it comes from a stranger.