Table Manners for Kids Just In Time for the Holidays

I bet you’re the same! You remember teaching your babies that throwing their food is no way to communicate. But instead “using their words” is how you express what you want or need. Or maybe you're in that toddler stage RIGHT NOW and your little one insists on not wearing pants anywhere! Your mother instincts know you must guide them and lead them to the behavior that will save both you and them from embarrassment.

My kids are older now so as they’ve grown, manners and expectations have also grown. Their table manners are now more established. We aren’t worried about throwing food as much as we are about having devices at the table or coming to the table with a good attitude.

The holidays are coming up so it's a great time to remind your kids of some of the simple ground rules of being good dinner guests. You can practice these at home and role play at dinner time.

Remind your children that you should always wait until everyone has received their food before you start eating. Usually someone will pray a blessing over the food or the host will make an announcement or say thank you to the guests.

Leave your devices, hats and other distractions at the door. Nothing is worse than a guest who has a phone or iPad or something at the table while everyone else is conversing.

Always sit up straight. This one is personal to me but a slouchy eater just looks like they don't care to be there.

Teach your kids to ask for something they might want or need instead of reaching across the table. “Can you please pass the salt, David?”

Never comment on the food unless it's a compliment. This is especially for young children who don’t yet have a kindness filter. They might say something like “I hate anything with peas in it,” just because they are being honest but remind them that there is a more appropriate way to handle food that they are not fond of. Like saying "No thank you” or “ That looks delicious, but I’m going to pass for now."

When it comes to napkins have your kids practice placing it on their lap at the start of the meal. If they are a bit younger a napkin tucked in their shirt is still perfectly okay!

Playing with your food in anyway is not ok! If you are hosting have a kid table that has things like chalkboard placemats so fidgety kids can doodle while they wait to be served or after dinner!

Clean up after themselves or ask to help with any clean up tasks. This is just going the extra mile to help relay to the host that they are thankful for the invite. It’s also an act of kindness when you can offer the host help. Even if she declines the thought is much appreciated!

Having good manners is a great confidence builder and life skill they will use over and over. Instead of correcting our kids in front of friends, we try to best prepare them for the situation! Even if they don’t always “nail it” we know just like us adults they appreciate being prepared!