Mealtime Etiquette - My Tips!

Dinnertime with toddlers can sometimes be a challenge.  My daughter has always been extremely picky with her food.  If it isn't the right brand, color, or does not look familiar, she doesn not want to go near it.  It is really frustrating as a Parent, let me tell you!  There are certain things I have done to make dinnertime a little more smooth for all of us.  It has helped to get everyone toegther to enjoy meals....

Here are some of my Do' and Don't of Meal Time Etiquette.  If you'd like to see more, head over to Socialmoms.com!

• Do-  Involve Your Child.  If you let them help cook the food, prepare the food, or serve the food, they may be more willing to try it.  Sometimes my daughter will help me cook but still not want the food.  But that's okay because we are still getting quality time together while we cook, and who knows the next time she may just try it!
• Do - Have your Child Try One Bite.  I will have my daughter try one bute of something new, just because she may end of liking it. 
• DON'T - No TV While We Eat. This is a big one!  Dinner time is an important time to get together as a family and share stories about your day. When my Husband gets home, we sit down and eat together and leave the tv off. That way we are forced to chat and won't rely on the tv to fill the silence.
• No Cell Phones At The Table. My Daughter is too young for this,ut it's a great one for teens...and the Husband!
• Clean Up Your Own Dish - When you are finished with your meal, you can get up and clear your plate in the sink.  It's easier if they are rinsed right away, and it lets everyone help in the cleaning process.
• Wash Your Hands Before You Eat  Especially important with kids in the house!  If they are outside playing, and come in to eat, make them wash up frst!
• Use A Napkin - not your sleeve...pretty slef explanatory right?
• Teach Kids How To Set The Table - the right way!  Show them where all of the silverware goes, the cup, the napkins.  People may not know these skills anymore, but it's important to learn.  I personally learned from my Granmother.  The table had to be set the proper way everytime, so I learned earlly and would help her set the table for holidays and everyday meals.  I never forgot and will teach my daughters too!

I am sure as my children get older, there will be even more rules for dinnertime.  They will want ot be playing outside, texting, the whole teenager thing.  What are some of your tips for a smoth and enjoyable dinner?

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Kraft Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”