Meal Time Mayhem Relief

For many families meal time is just not that enjoyable. Let's work on this a bit...

One mom friend we know felt her kids (ages 3years old thru-11years old) had learned table manners, but somehow they kept managing to lose them in between washing their hands before a meal and clearing the dishes from the table. She could no longer take the stress of mealtime and knew that her own yelling about the deplorable manners was not helping create a serene dining experience either. She decided to create and post a list of "Table Tips" right on the wall near the kitchen table.

Before any at home meal begins, the tips are read together as a family. Initially the kids were not happy about the crack down on manners and certainly were not thrilled about reading the tips every single meal, but after a while they incorporated the reading of the tips into a fun family ritual; the kids exaggerate the emphasis on the words in capital letters and whisper the other words.

Mealtimes are much more enjoyable as the kids know what is expected of them and have even made up a fun way of reading the rules.

Here are the tips her family uses, but like anything we suggest here at Parentopia, keep what you like, ditch what you don't or merely alter it to work for your family since you are the one eating with them!

TABLE TIPS:
(or “How to avoid getting in trouble at mealtime”)

• DO NOT PLAY at the table under any circumstances.

• Sit up and eat OVER YOUR PLATE. Remain seated during the meal.

• Use silver wear. Use it correctly. Use a napkin. Use it correctly.

• Use POLITE conversation at all times. Be considerate of other diners at all times.

• Eat SMALL BITES and CHEW WITH YOUR MOUTH CLOSED.

• Taste everything at least ONCE. Keep bad opinions to yourself.

• Compliment the cook.

• Help CLEAN UP. Before you leave, ask, “Is there anything else I can do to help?”.

• Enjoy your meal!

If you've got your own ideas for making meal time less stressful share them, or if you need suggestions, post your situation in our comment area and we can all brainstorm together.