Take A Seat

Young men and older men many times offer to seat a girl or woman.  It is such a nice gesture and shows good manners and respect.  However, often times the females don't know how to respond.  Here is what you need to know.

Men:
Stand next to the chair with your hand on the back of the chair.  Offer to seat the woman and slide out the chair for her.  As she sits down gently help her slide in the chair.  Never a push, never two hands shoving... but only glide the chair for her.  Now be seated also.

Women:
Accept the offer from the gentleman, step next to the table with the chair to your back.  When you feel the chair hit the back of your leg, that is your signal to be seated.  Always help the man by sitting down slowly and help glide the chair into place.

A NO NO:
Men:
Never act as if the woman is too heavy and you can't push the chair.
Never push with two hands.  The woman really does most of the work.

Women:
Never sit and expect to be pushed into place.

Happy Holidays to you!

It's Always Time for Manners

Table Settings are a Gift to your Guests

Everyone likes to receive a present with colorful wrappings and a fancy bow.  There is always excitement and anticipation when you see the gift and then you have the fun of opening the gift.

A dinner table, especially for the holidays, should be like a gift to your guests.  Here are five simple things you can do to make a table special.

1.   The table should have a nicely ironed table cloth and napkins.
2.   Candles make a very special effect.
3.   A clever centerpiece, whether it is flowers or a collection of family treasures,  a turkey, Santa or even a bowl of fruit make a pleasant visual.
4.   Each place setting of silverware should be straight and set properly at everyone's place.
5.   Dishes and glassware should be always polished and shined.

Now you have a gift to your guests of a beautiful table setting.  Look at magazines for ideas, go to the library to research table settings or look on the internet.  Your guests will appreciate the work that goes into a festive table,  it's a gift to your guests.

Remember, It's Always Time for Manners

Let's Talk Turkey

Thanksgiving is coming and now is the time to work on table manners with the family.  Although every meal should be consider a special occasion, Thanksgiving is the holiday that friends and family come together and sit at the table for the traditional meal.

Review the basic table manners such as coming to the table when called, hands washed, hair combed and everyone dressed neatly and with respect.  Mealtime helps the family reconnect with news or events of the day.  Everyone should listen with interest and pay attention to feelings of any member of the family as they speak.    Young children, teens or guests want to feel welcome and part of a mealtime celebration.

One of the most important times at dinner is when everyone comes to the table and sits down.  The napkin goes on the lap and the family waits for a blessing to be said.  In some homes maybe this doesn't happen but always wait and take the signal from the head of the family when to eat.  It is always polite to wait until the mother or grandmother lifts her fork to start eating.   That is the time for everyone else to begin enjoying their meal.

Remember, It's Always Time for Manners!

Age 3-4-5..They can help too!

By Age 3:
Meal time can be a wonderful time for the family to gather and to learn about what the members of the family have done for the day. By age 3 little ones should stay seated and join in with the conversation during the meal time. They should also be able to use dining utensils with ease. Be sure to ask questions and ask opinions of the young members of the family so they can feel included.

By Age 4:
This is a good time to start chores around the house. Some families use a chart with award stars or special privileges can be awarded for completion of jobs suitable for a child. They could empty wastebaskets, straighten out the playroom or fold towels. Be sure to lay a foundation and begin to build on it.

By Age 5:
By this age children can learn to set the table for a meal and help clear the table as well. The whole dining experience has to be practiced in order for the children to feel comfortable and do the chore easily. Little ones love to be praised and they will feel more involved with the family unit.

Take time to teach children to help with family chores and remember, It's Always Time for Manners!

Conversation at the Dinner Table can be Creative!

Dinner time is very important to families. It is a time to reconnect and share the days trials and triumphs. The family dinner table is always a good place to practice learning how to be comfortable with conversation at the table.

Conversation helps with the pace of the dinner too. So many times, I hear about families that rush to eat and the dinner is over. One suggestion is that one person thinks up a topic and each member of the family adds an idea or comment. It could be about sports, TV shows, a new friend, a book or a current event. In the beginning it may feel awkward but with practice. the conversation will flow and everyone will benefit from the closeness conversation can create.

Remember to Mind your Manners at the table!!!

Holly Beth Moncher

Cut and Eat, that's the Right Way!

When you are having a meal with your family it is a good time to make some improvement and suggestions on dining manners. A comment made in general, as to not embarrass anyone, is a good way to begin to make some changes. Cutting up food is a tricky thing to do for most young children. However, I caution parents not to cut up the food all at once so there is a big mound of food in front of a child. Food should be eaten as it is cut and even young children can learn to do this for themselves. A big mound of meat, vegetables or even pancakes can feel overwhelming and then a child won't even attempt to eat their meal. Small portions, utensils that fit small hands, the TV off and the family together will make dinner time a pleasant occasion.

The Importance of Family Dinner for Children

In a study conducted by a professor of education at Harvard's Graduate School, it was concluded, that family dinners offered opportunities for children to learn vocabulary building words that will help them read well by the third grade. There are so many benefits to the family dinner, not just eating together. Another benefit is the feeling of belonging to the family. When the family is scattered with after school activities and everyone eats "on the run" then the coming together gets put on the sidelines and the closeness of the family unit can suffer.

At least 4 nights a week, including the weekend, is a good start to try to get together for meals. This is a great time for children to talk about their day; their triumphs or their fears. Listening to each other is another skill that is learned. No interrupting or certainly teasing should not be tolerated during the family meal time.

If this time feels awkward in the beginning think of a few topics to bring up during dinner. This could be dreams during the night, plans for a family vacation or a movie that can be watched as a family. Children love to feel safe and feel a part of a family, no matter how young.

5 Tips for Pleasant Dinner Time with 3 Years Old

Three years old can start learning table manners, but they have to be practiced daily.

1. Little ones can learn what foods can be eaten with fingers and what foods should be eaten with a fork or spoon.

2. Wait until everyone is served before starting to eat.

3. Don't talk if you have some food in your mouth.

4. Use a napkin and place it on your lap.

5. Close your mouth while chewing.

This is a good start to pleasant dining at home, school or at a restaurant.

It's Always Time for Manners!