Table Time Dinnerware Set

We love our Time for Manners Dinnerware Set for toddlers and young children. There is an educational place mat that teaches kids where to place the dish, napkin, glass,fork, knife and spoon. The plastic ware is high quality, safe and very colorful. The image of Merlin Manners is on each piece of the dinnerware set. The utensils have indents for little fingers to train them to hold the utensils properly. We also included a 30 minute video, Table Time, to show the children how to use the dinnerware set.

One mom told me that her 4 year old son calls the dinnerware set his "good china" and wants to use it at each meal. Please visit the Time for Manners site to learn more about training your little one to eat their meal more easily and as well as the older siblings of the family.

School Bus Safety

This morning I awoke to an awful news story on the television. A young girl was riding the school bus in Detroit and she stuck her head out the window to talk to a friend. Just when the bus started to move her head was struck by a tree branch and she was killed.

I often wonder why there are never parent volunteers or guards on a school bus. The only person to keep order is the bus driver and he/she has plenty to concentrate on while driving the bus. Children get up and change seats, bully other kids, leave their bags all over the floor and aisles of the bus and they can be just plain rowdy. It seems to me that either responsible high school kids could be assigned a bus to ride for community service or parents could rotate a schedule to protect our children.

Time for Manners, Vol.3, "American Manners", addresses this issue of school bus safety in a fun and creative style. The kids in the DVD sing an original song called "Back to Back and Bottom to Bottom". The song reminds kids to keep their bottom on the bottom of the seat and their back to the back of the seat, meaning to stay seated at all times. There are other important safety reminders in the DVD too.

I have thought of this tragic story all day and I would hope there will be some changes made in school bus rules and behavior. As always, Mind your Manners!!

Napkins are Nice

I keep some cloth napkins, that don't need to ironed, in a stack in my drawers so we can use them at mealtime. It just adds to the importance of a meal and at the same time teaches children to use a napkin the right way. Paper napkins always slide off the lap and get crumpled so quickly. A cloth napkin helps to keep a child's clothes clean, trains them to keep their mouth tidy and even helps them to sit still at the table. A cloth napkin will fall on the floor with too much squirming at the table. The napkin is only opened half-way, never opened so it is like a mini table cloth on the lap!

Never place a dirty napkin back on the table while people are still eating. If you need to be excused for a short time, the napkin is placed with the dirty side folded inward on to the chair. At the end of the meal and everyone leaves the table, the napkin can be placed on the table in a neat fold. Practice at home and soon the action will become like second nature. Mind your Manners!

Hats off for You!!

Many times I see boys, young men and mature men come into a restaurant and they don't take off their hat. Most have the baseball hat on but I've seen some older guys with the fashionable fedora hat on their head and they neglect to take it off too.

All hats must come off in a restaurant to show good manners. Whether it is a diner, fast food or family restaurant all hats on men should be removed. The rule is mostly tradition but it is a custom that has been important for many years.

Teach children at home to prepare for mealtime by taking off their hat and combing their hair. Most everyone remembers to wash their hands but coming to the table prepared will show respect for the person that has cooked the meal. A nice appearance at mealtime teaches children that a family meal is important and they should prepare for the time together.