We don't clean up but leave a super generous tip. Like 30 percent or more. We feel the server will appreciate the tip better rather then me cleaning. We normally add the tip and leave some cash on the table.

I clean up obvious large chunks and tip well. I used to get on my hands and knees to try to clean up everything off the floor but I realized that was stupid to do and probably just made everyone more uncomfortable than just using the damn broom.

I had this exact conversation with DH tonight as I was picking up Cheerios off the floor. My 10 month old isn't great with hand to mouth yet. DH and his parents always tell me to leave everything on the floor, but it seems rude. So I pick up as much as I can.

I use baby wipes to clean up and tip well.

Anonymous wrote:Another former server and mom to 14-month old. DD throws half of what she eats on the floor. When eating out, we give her one bite at a time, I pick up as much as I can from the floor, and I tip at least 20%.

Given that 20 is standard with no extra mess, I'd shoot for 30 if there is a big mess.

Anonymous wrote:Eat more meals at home. Gee whiz, people sure eat out a lot in these parts. Too much sodium in restaurant food.

How is this relevant? Our DD is 4 and we take her to a restaurant once every couple months, if that (I think she has gone twice in the past six months). We clean up (floor included) and tip well. Does this mean she eats at restaurants too much?

Anonymous wrote:I have a 2 year old and an infant. I don't go anywhere nice, I tip well, and I clean up the floor/table, high chair as best I can before I leave.

Same here.

we eat out quite a bit with our now 2yo.
To limit messes she is still in a highchair when we go out, and I push it in as far as i can. She also wears one of those plastic bibs that has the big scoop at the bottom to catch food, huge lifesaver.

There is rarely much food on the floor but if there is I generally only pick up big pieces.

another tip, we get an extra plate, even if she gets a kids meal. That way we can cut food or let it cool down on the main plate and we can give her a small amount at a time on the spare plate.

Baby wipes. Pretty thorough. PLUS 30%.

Do a quick clean-up job and leave a nice tip.

I clean up the table and try to pick big pieces off the floor, but I can't get everything so I assume they probably will have to sweep up after me anyway.

Another former server and mom to 14-month old. DD throws half of what she eats on the floor. When eating out, we give her one bite at a time, I pick up as much as I can from the floor, and I tip at least 20%.

Anonymous wrote:Never when I was a waitress in college and never since dining with kids as a parent have a I seen a parent on the floor picking up after their kid so I call BS on this many parents cleaning the floor. I tip 30% and figure that covers it. Sure, if my kid threw half a hamburger on the floor, I'd pick that up, but crumbs, rice, etc., uh, no.

We've never been at the same restaurant, then. I was also a server for years, so make sure to do the best I can to clean up. I know they'll often have to use the broom as well, but I always appreciated the efforts of parents who did the same when I was a server. They were few and far between. I also tip very well.

Clean up everything, bring plastic stick to the table placemats and only give a little food at a time so it cannot be dropped or thrown. I don't get how the floor gets that messy. Assist your child if they cannot fully do it themselves. It isn't your home. You wouldn't leave your home a mess (I hope).

Anonymous wrote:Never when I was a waitress in college and never since dining with kids as a parent have a I seen a parent on the floor picking up after their kid so I call BS on this many parents cleaning the floor. I tip 30% and figure that covers it. Sure, if my kid threw half a hamburger on the floor, I'd pick that up, but crumbs, rice, etc., uh, no.

I'm not really sure what would be the point of lying on an anonymous message board. Yes, we clean up big chunks of food that fall (not individual grains of rice) and we tip well.