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pantryslutEveryone thinks that my children are v. polite for their age, what with their "please" and "thank you" -- reinforced mightily by their parents, for sure.
But that's because few people eat a meal with them.
They're usually pretty well-behaved in public eating spaces, too, I must note. And I have heard no complaints from preschool. But at home, it's a bit nuts. It doesn't help that April likes to make elaborate food collages. I took a picture of the Banana Girl composition and will post it soon. I was impressed! Not so much with the applesauce finger-painting, though.
But at least April is engaging in art. Simone, she likes to engage in mischief. It's very common that I will step away from the table and come back to find her covered in yogurt, or spaghetti sauce, or ollalieberry pie, or whatever she's eating at the time. She's fast!
We also definitely face the problem of two children amplifying each other's energy.
At least we've gotten to the place where they help clean up their messes. April is actually proud when she doesn't have to clean, and she's also very attentive to detail when she does.
And yes, I take away food when they're getting goofy, and explain why.
But I'm thinking I need to pay more attention to table manners. I thought I'd start with books, but children's books on manners can be so prescriptive and annoying. Also often overly focused on please-and-thank-you, which, as I've noted, we've got covered. I want "use your fork" and "don't smear pudding on your pajamas on purpose."
Any suggestions?
But that's because few people eat a meal with them.
They're usually pretty well-behaved in public eating spaces, too, I must note. And I have heard no complaints from preschool. But at home, it's a bit nuts. It doesn't help that April likes to make elaborate food collages. I took a picture of the Banana Girl composition and will post it soon. I was impressed! Not so much with the applesauce finger-painting, though.
But at least April is engaging in art. Simone, she likes to engage in mischief. It's very common that I will step away from the table and come back to find her covered in yogurt, or spaghetti sauce, or ollalieberry pie, or whatever she's eating at the time. She's fast!
We also definitely face the problem of two children amplifying each other's energy.
At least we've gotten to the place where they help clean up their messes. April is actually proud when she doesn't have to clean, and she's also very attentive to detail when she does.
And yes, I take away food when they're getting goofy, and explain why.
But I'm thinking I need to pay more attention to table manners. I thought I'd start with books, but children's books on manners can be so prescriptive and annoying. Also often overly focused on please-and-thank-you, which, as I've noted, we've got covered. I want "use your fork" and "don't smear pudding on your pajamas on purpose."
Any suggestions?
