How to Get Your Kids to Dine In as They Dine Out

When my first child was born, my husband and I were not ready to give up our “married without kids” status.   We still wanted to hang out.  So, we brought my son everywhere we went, especially since childcare was slim on the weekends.  It was an adjustment, but we were fine with it.  Although we migrated to New Jersey several years ago, we were (and still are) true New Yorkers.  So, we did most of our recreational activities in NYC.

One thing we enjoyed tremendously was dining at restaurants.  We frequently selected a restaurant and met friends and family members to dine out and have a good time.  We did this for either brunch, lunch or dinner.  It did not matter which period of the day we ate because our son was a joy to have in tow and he could hang until the late evening.  None of our friends ever complained about our son being with us because he was so good and he displayed wonderful table manners.  We always received compliments from friends and fellow diners about our son’s dining habits.  They were impressed and were not hesitant to share the feedback.

We taught him, at an early age, each step to proper dining etiquette.  From what to do with his napkin, to where to place his napkin, to which utensil to use for each phase of the meal, to what is acceptable while dining.  To this day (at the age of 15), he remembers everything we taught him and displays his knowledge.  We credit this to consistency.  Whether we are dining at home or at restaurants, the rules are the same.  The goal was, and still is, to ensure that he did not get confused because we allowed him to dine one way at home and another way at a restaurant.  We made a concerted effort to always be consistent.

When baby #2 came along, we made sure that we continued to rear her the same way.  Of course, nothing is perfect, right?  Our daughter is the challenging one.  So, we often have to take a different approach with her.  But overall, the goal is the same…be consistent.  We refuse to be embarrassed by our kids’ habits, of which we can control.  Keep in mind that good dining etiquette will serve them well throughout their entire lives.

Remember, consistency is key!

If you need help in stressing the importance of dining etiquette to your children, check out my ebook, Where the Heck Are Our Children’s Table Manners?,  on Amazon for the Kindle or Barnes & Noble for the Nook.

Are You a Bad Mom if Your Kids Have Poor Table Manners?

You must admit that when your kids act in any particular way, you feel as though it is a reflection of you.  Quite frankly, it is.  When your kids do well, you accept the credit because their success is primarily due to your rearing.  However, when they do something wrong, you have to also accept that it is due to your guidance, at least while they are young and impressionable.  That’s okay.  I view it as an opportunity to address and correct the issue and ensure that it does not occur again.  This applies to many situations, including dining etiquette.

In my experience, one of the main keys to kids displaying successful table manners is to lead by example.  Once our children witness how we dine, they will eventually follow suit.  From placing the napkin on your lap before eating to which utensil to eat with each part of the meal to general table manners, they will conform.

We can tell them what to do, but there is greater power in emulation.  Teach them and they may follow; show them and they will follow.  Make dining etiquette a priority in your family’s life!