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!

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".