With the advent of videogames, fast foods and more after school activities than ever before, eating at a dining table has become an uncommon thing for America’s youth. The following three tips can be applied at any dining table, even one at your local pizza joint. Modeling these behaviors and teaching them to your children is guaranteed to make your mealtimes, no matter how casual, much more enjoyable for your family.
With the advent of videogames, fast foods and more after school activities than ever before, eating at an actual dining table has become an uncommon thing for America’s youth. Common courtesy at the dining table has become an even more uncommon thing in American society today. The following three tips can be applied at any dining table, even one at your local pizza joint, to make your mealtimes far more enjoyable. Modeling these behaviors and teaching them to your children will eliminate much mealtime stress and make these times quality times for you and your family.
Napkins
Does your child know how to use a napkin? Does your child know the difference between a napkin and a tissue? What about the difference between a napkin and a bib? Contrary to popular belief, the napkin should never be tucked into your collar, shirt or belt. The napkin, whether made of cloth or paper, should be opened carefully and laid on one’s lap prior to starting the meal! This should never be done with flourish, as though you are hosting an inexpensive magic show. Snapping a cloth napkin across the table or over one’s plate is unacceptable mealtime behavior for both adults and children alike. You should also remember that the napkin is not a washcloth and shouldn’t be used in the same manner as a washcloth. Dab to clean up the messy spots, but please don’t do the ridiculously affected dab. It just is not as cute as you might think and it doesn’t exactly teach the children how to behave at a polite table. When you are finished with your meal, don’t crumple up the napkin and throw it into your dirty plate. Simply place it carefully to the left of your plate so as not to spill any crumbs or anything else you might have dropped in your lap during the meal. If you have to leave the table temporarily, in the middle of the meal, remember to leave your napkin on your chair so that the server will know that you’ll be returning. By modeling these behaviors with the napkin, your children will learn to be tidy eaters and may just save you that extra sweeping under the dining room table!