As a consultant, I have the wonderful and eye-opening opportunity to teach table manners to children.

We first start with understanding the anatomy of a table setting. I teach them how to set a table, the history of the plate and utensils.

It is so fascinating: the beginning of making sure you know which is your bread and butter plate. A window look into time periods and life styles gone by. From the Stone Age to the lives of Kings and Queens, the haves and have nots. A time period of servants and the view of dining as a theatrical event. A time of family dining together. Table manners reaches to every person.

This class is always so much fun for me as well for them. We literally practice our cutting technique one week and the next learn how to use the spoon and butter knife correctly.

Proper dining is and can be a simple technique to learn.  After all, we get to practice while eating every day. The children are glued to learning these lessons. The hints of the “BMW” bread, meal, water plus others are clues to getting it right at any age. 

But what is sad is how often they eat alone in their bedrooms, on the couch or in the car on the run. My wish would be for family to literally sit down and eat together.

Find the joy in this ritual of dining, having a conversation discussing the events of the day. This time is so precious and special. It is one of the many events I wish I could enforce. At times, I think this is the link that would strengthen the family unit once again.

So I ask you, take the time, eat dinner with your family tonight, tomorrow night and the next. Make it a tradition today! The rewards are priceless.

What do you do to make family dinners a priority? Tell us in the comments!