Comments on: Teaching Table Manners (at a buffet restaurant)

By: Chad

Chad — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:46:23 +0000

I got three kids, and it was not till the youngest was 3 that I thought we would be able to sit through a meal without some type of drama from the kids. Love the article!

Chad

By: beta mum

beta mum — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 15:33:30 +0000

It’s been much easier to do this with our second (a girl) than with our first (a very active boy).
I’m still nagging them about eating with their mouths closed, not putting their elbows on the table, sitting up at the table rather than slumping at it, and using cutlery not fingers.
Our daughter was better when she was younger actually, I think it just becomes another way to annoy the parents when they’re older.
They’re OK at restaurants now - although son is fussy beyond belief and would rather go hungry than eat something he doesn’t like the look/smell of.

By: The Carnival of Family Life | MamaBlogga

The Carnival of Family Life | MamaBlogga — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:07:46 +0000

[...] Erica Douglas presents Teaching Table Manners (at a buffet restaurant) posted at Littlemummy.Com. [...]

By: Mother at Large

Mother at Large — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 09:40:14 +0000

I agree with you - not wishing to be pompous, but think we have a duty to teach our kids some manners! Not that I’ve got very far with my daughter… but that’s another story. It helps them far more than us. Completely with you on the no screaming rule - I won’t allow it either. My daughter’s dad is a softie who would let her away with anything - but I think if people are paying to have a treat, a meal out, they should be able to eat in peace.

By: t-bird

t-bird — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 13:03:38 +0000

Oh don’t get me going about children who are old enough to know better acting like stroppy toddlers in restaurants! it drives me totally nuts, along with the theory that children’s menus must be burger and chips, sausage and chips or nuggets and chips with a side order of bean or spagetti. Mutter mumble stomp….

We have somehow managed to develop a sliding scale of manners dependant on situation here (so it’s okay to eat at a burger bar with your fingers but woe betide you if you do it anywhere with posh cutlery!) I’m sure I must sound terribly stuck up when I tell her “it’s not apropriate to do….” in certain places or whatever but she got the hang of apropriate fairly fast thank goodness!

By: Little Mummy

Little Mummy — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 08:45:22 +0000

Yeah it means a lot, but, more importantly I hope it will be these things that will stand her apart from the crowd. So often I see kids (much older kids) playing with food, jumping around etc and the parents don’t seem to give a toss.

I don’t think children should be seen and not heard, but behaviour appropriate to the occasion and location is surely a must.

By: t-bird

t-bird — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 23:45:37 +0000

constantly! once I’ve honed the 45 year olds I’ll feel like I’ve really cracked this manners training business

It is important that you start young though, you are saving yourself a lot of trouble later by starting now and it’s lovely when you go out somewhere and a stranger walks up to your table to compliment your child for being so well mannered.