Table manners and kids

[homemaker carol]

We've tried to teach the kids proper table manners even though they are special needs. It hasn't been easy at times and sometimes they've forgotten. I have no trouble taking them to any restaurant. They are well behaved, listen and participate in the conversation, are polite and eat properly.

Having said that I see the exact opposite when in restaurants, whether its Wendys or a high class restuarant. Kids are running around, crying, yelling, spilling things on the floor, being boisterous and such. When it comes to places like Wendy's or A&W, they don't take their trays and empty the garbage in the bins, they use any type of language no matter who is around and they are extremely loud.

Why aren't table manners taught to kids anymore? Its so frustrating at times to go out and want a nice quiet evening and all you get is kids with no manners.

Thoughts!!

[Dee]

I'm with you on this one CJ, very irritating. I think it's easier for the parent in question just to let them do whatever they want. :confused:

Now when we used to take my nieces and nephews anywhere, they got the infamous "Now here are Aunt Deed's RULES!" LOL They always minded me or they knew I wouldn't take them out again. ;) Jack used to say, aw just let them be kids, I said, they can be kids and still eat properly etc.....

[Sara]

With Zachary being 5 and Alexandra 2, it's anyone's guess on their behavior sometimes. We teach them table manners, but there are times they aren't the best behaved out to eat. I won't subject the entire restaurant to it though and have no problem packing up and leaving. I did that not long ago when we were out to Chinese.

It was a week later and Ally was saying "Don't sit in the chair at Chinese...then we can go." lol Much more funny a week later than at the time. :D

I suppose the good side of things is that Zachary is very well behaved in school at lunch and snack times. I'm very proud of his manners, so think sometimes my kids just have off days.

We're still at a stage where we do family restaurants. We tried to go to the Japanese Steakhouse not long ago and all the cooking commotion and fountains was a bit much for Alexandra on a no nap day. Again, we packed up and left. I also pack up before they get out of hand. I can see it coming. lol They start getting antsy and there's just no sense in staying.

Behavior is a tricky thing with Zachary. We went through a long while where he had sensory meltdowns. Occasionally we have issues in the stores while shopping. I consider both my kids well-behaved, but it's still a work in progress too.

I do think they're polite though and have good manners overall. Their ages aren't easy though. :D

[Michelle]

I am very fortunate that my kids behave better in public than they do at home sometimes! LOL

I agree, though, I won't subject the restaurant to their antics if they become disruptive, and I have been known to just pack up and leave. :)

[Edna_E]

I think it important to teach not just the manners, but the idea of consideration for those around you. Table manners in restaurants affect the people at your table, and the people at other tables. If you don't want them to be uncomfortable, you have to behave within certain guidelines. I'm not so focused on whether you use the right fork as I am whether you are bouncing the person on the other side of the bench or making noise, etc.

[miss_thrifty]

I can actually say since my kids were small that my kid always act better with other people then at home. I got so many great compliments how great my kids were. Id look at them with eyebrows up? When they want too, id tell them, theyre no saints lol When we go out, theyve learnt , they act up or be rude , then no going out for awhile. When theyre smaller its harder. It takes alot for those small bodies to sit still and eat then want to run around and talk louder beacuse other peoples kids act out. I hear ya. Been there > lol;)

[Emerald_Mommy]

Our girls are generally well behaved but we've had to pack up and leave a few times. I remember once in particular with Isabel. She was about 2 and would not stop fussing & screaming. We were eating supper at Olive Garden (one of my favorites!) and I just had to take her outside while Philip had the waiter box up our orders. That was so frustrating because there was literally nothing we could do to calm her down. The way I see it I have to live with my kiddos no matter what their behavior, but I don't have to subject the general population to it! I wish other people would have the same philosophy.