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!

Mr. and Mrs. Still Sounds Right

I always taught our three sons to address our friends by Mr. and Mrs. The title shows respect and good manners. Is this old fashioned or is it still proper to do?

I feel it is one way to teach our children respect in a world where children, as well as teens, are failing to be taught respect for authority, teachers, and adults. By addressing an adult with Mr. or Mrs. the title puts just the right distance between a child and adult. I think it is a big mistake for children to call their teachers by their first names. Yes, there are schools that promote familiarity and "we're all equal" feeling but the teacher is the authority in the classroom and should be held in high regard and addressed properly.

As a grown woman I still wouldn't think of calling my parents friends by their first name. I was taught respect at a young age and because of that, my parents knew their teachings would last a lifetime.

What do you think?

Twelve year olds Tell the Truth!

I have a friend in Florida who has a two year old girl and twelve year old boy. I gave her a Table Time video from the Time for Manners series to give to her two year old. I wondered for a few weeks how the video was liked and if the two year old watched the full 30 minute DVD. The video does have a lot of original songs and music, funny characters, and cute family dog that gets into mischief in the story. My research shows that the videos are appropriate for two to seven year olds.

I recently saw the mother again and she thanked me and reported that her son, the twelve year old, watched the entire video and announced, "Good video Mom". She said he was sitting up tall at the table and reminding the rest of the family of the lesson he had learned in Table Time.

The Time for Manners creative team was very pleased that at any age, people want to learn the correct way to behave and the proper way to dine. Whether your meals are at home, in a restaurant or at a fast food restaurant the same good manners apply.

Remember what Merlin Manners says: "Its Always Time for Manners".

Oh, Those Dirty Napkins!!!!

There are so many rules of etiquette to learn. We all know to put your napkin on your lap while you are eating. The most important use of the napkin is to keep the mouth clean of food while enjoying friends and family during a meal. The napkin should be placed on the lap with still one fold or think of it as a 1/2 napkin. We never open a napkin fully while placing it on the lap.

Now the tricky part of the use of napkins. During the meal if you have to get up for any reason you place the napkin on your chair so that you are not putting a soiled napkin on the table while others are eating. People ask me about putting a soiled napkin on a nice fabric chair. If a person is eating carefully and using the napkin occasionally then the napkin won't have a lot of "mess" on the cloth. If by chance the napkin is very soiled then it should be folded in such a way as to not let any food touch a fabric chair.

Meal time should be a happy and enjoyable time with good friends or family. Manners take practice and it can be made fun when the family works together.

Merlin Manners always says, "Its Always Time for Manners".

Bread Plate and Glass - An Easy Way to Remember

So many times the question comes up at a lunch or dinner party....."which plate is mine?" Most people are referring to the bread and butter plate. That small plate causes so much trouble. The easiest way to remember is the bread and butter plate is always on your left AND your left index finger and thumb forms a letter b (lower case). The right hand forms the letter d referring to drink. So the left side of the place setting has the b (bread and butter) and the right side has the d (drink).

When someone seated next to you is using the wrong plate, there is no need to say anything to that person, just place your bread on you own entree plate. There is no need to embarrass your partner at the table by mentioning their mistake.

Always remember to place all four fingers and thumb on the glass when drinking. Take small sips with the lips near closed and replace the glass to the place setting. Don't have the little fingers up in the air when holding a glass.

Children need a lot of help with suggestions from parents or older people about drinking from a glass. Remind the children to hold the glass properly and securely and to keep their mouth almost closed while drinking from the glass. Make sure to remind children to swallow all the food in their mouth before taking a drink from the glass or cup.

Meals with friends and family are very important and we must remember that: It's always Time for Manners.

School Bus Safety for Kids

Time for Manners has a video called American Manners that addresses school bus safety along with other topics. The characters, Tara and Tyler ride the bus every day to school. They know that they should be polite and stay in their seat. They also made up a song in the video called Bottom to Bottom and Back to Back. That means, keep your bottom on the seat and your back against the seat back in order to stay safe and secure.

Tara, Tyler and their friend Wesley also talk about keeping the aisle clear of school bags or sports equipment. They know that the driver has an important job and he must be free of distractions in order to drive safely.

I always thought that a school bus should have a volunteer parent on each bus to keep order and help out the driver.

I can remember going to school on a bus and all the "big kids" went to the back of the bus and that is usually where all the trouble began. Maybe the older kids should be in the front of the bus and set a good example for the younger kids as they go to their seats.

Back to school should be fun and exciting. Let's keep our children safe on the school bus.

5 tips for Mannerly Children at McDonalds

Yes, it is "Always Time for Manners". That's what Merlin Manners says on the Time for Manners videos. Even at McDonalds, children can be taught to behave and eat with respect for others.

Here are 5 helpful tips for families and friends:

1. While standing in line, decide what everyone would like to eat so that others won't have to wait behind you in line. Let's be prompt and polite.

2. Always eat on the paper or on the tray in case the table has not been cleaned properly.

3. The rule for eating a hamburger or sandwich is that if it is too big to hold in one hand then it should be cut in half. Only little animals eat with two hands!!

4. We all love the french fries with catsup but the catsup should be put on the paper and the fries dipped into the catsup. Never, squirted all over the mound of french fries and then eaten.

5. Clean off the table of all paper, cups and food so the next family will enjoy their meal too.

If it is necessary to eat fast food then make sure that manners aren't forgotten and your family will have a good time together, that is the most important part of the mealtime.

3 Secrets for Happy Family Dinners

1. Make sure to always set a table so children know that special family time is important.

It's easy to eat in front of the TV or "grab" some food whenever kids are hungry but the only way to encourage family unity is to sit down together and share a meal.

2. Have each family member tell the family the best thing that happened to them that day.

Keeping the conversation positive will make for a pleasant evening meal and allow the children to learn to be grateful for their day.

3. Parents should use their best dining manners everyday.

Children learn by example and learning from their parents will be the most beneficial way to teach family members good manners.

Remember: It's Always Time for Manners