[EsmeeKimme]

My kids are almost 17, 15 and 11 now. My youngest child has Asberger's syndrome (which is in the austim spectrum) and ADHD. From the time they were tiny I always left if they were trying to cause a scene. I was always so embarassed I couldn't have just sat there and continued my dinner. I am also the type of parent that always left stores or anywhere else. It didn't matter where we were, if they decided to act up then we went to the car. Sometimes if it was minor and over soon then we went back in and continued shopping, meal or whatever we were doing. If it was a bad enough then we left and continued another day.

I can promise you though even with my youngest who because of his special needs was by far the hardest to teach how to behave in public, it worked. We may have had to leave dinners, friends/family events and homes, malls and such but you do that and they know you will every single time then they do stop eventually. What really got to them is when it was only one of them not behaving so only that child had to leave. Having to sit in the car for quiet time with Mom and knowing that the other children were inside enjoying themselves was very effective lol.

Most of the time I would leave with them and my DH would stay long enough to get our remaining food boxed up and the bill taken care of. If it was an important shopping trip like the grocery that could not wait until another day and they were not calming enough to talk about what occured and take them back in then he would finish the list and join us once he was finished. Sometimes if I was the more stressed out parent then he took them out and I finished the list.

I realize all kids have their days but I guess for me if I could get mine trained enough for outings then anyone can, it just takes time and consistency.

To answer the question, I don't sneak my pets into anywhere. I am a rule person and just don't do it. I think I am afraid of offending someone or being asked to leave ( I would be mortified if I was asked to leave because of my kids or pets).

We love taking him to pet friendly places though.