I know I’ve said this multiple times, but raising ungrateful, bratty kids is one of my fears. Good manners and grateful, respectful kids go hand-in-hand. For this post, I’m just going to focus on table manners.
Oh the joys of mealtime….
Toddlers, (If they are self-feeding) should be able to:
- Wash their hands before and after a meal
- Say please and thank you
- Not throw food
Preschoolers:
- Properly use utensils, not hands at the table
- Wait until everyone is served before eating
- Keep their opinions about bad-tasting foods to themselves, especially if there are guests present
- Asked to be excused from their seats when finished
Grade-Schoolers and Older:
- Not bringing toys and books to the table
- Sitting up nicely in their seats
- Taking small bites, and chewing with their mouths closed
- Not slurping
- Laying their napkins in their laps, and using them to wipe their mouths
- Taking dishes to the sink, after being excused
- Thanking whoever made the meal
Manners Can Be Fun has been around forever! It’s a great book on teaching your kids manners, and makes it easy for them to understand. It got five stars on Amazon $10
Dinnertime doesn’t have to be all “no nonsense” and “no fun” either. Say once a week you have a “formal” dinner, and when you feel your kids have become little gentleman and women- after a month or so, present them with a cute ceramic table ware set from The Piggy Story, or a dinner game, or a night out for dinner, and let them put their manners to great use!
Mariel
Owner & Author at Or so she says...
Mariel (mahr-eeee-elle) is a mother to six, wife to one. Loves homeschooling, golfing, cupcakes, traveling, cuddling, non-fiction books, gardening, James Taylor, family time, and a sexy wedge. This is her blog. Enjoy!
@orsoshesays
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Great Post. Big pet peeve of mine is unruly kids at the table.
~willa~
I’m always getting after my kids for taking off too early! I tell them they have to stay at the table until everyone is done. It kills them, so they think…oh, the boredom of having to wait 5 minutes for someone to eat! Torture!
Thank you for this post. Our manners have been pretty sad, so I really needed a good reminder about table manners. I want my kids to have manners, but didn’t really know where to start. I really like the age appropriate lists, since I have a child in both catergories. This is our second meal where I have implemented the manners your listed and already there has been much improvement. I’m sure this is just one of those things you have to work on continuously. Thanks!
We have been struggling a bit with table manners in our house lately. Thanks for this post! I think your ideas are spot on and I’m gonna run right out to purchase that book. Thanks again!