photo credit: tiffanywashko

What impression does your child make when he or she eats in public? I recently observed a girl about eight years old eating in the mall food court with her father. She rated an A+ from The Schoolmarm, and here is why.

• She ate happily but quietly.
• She used her utensils correctly and handled her drink carefully.
• She engaged in conversation with her father, making eye contact with him.
• She kept her eating area clean, used her napkin, and stayed in her chair.

If you teach your child good table manners at home then you can take them any place to eat. Not only will you be able to relax and enjoy the meal, but they, and the people around them will too. Good job, parents of the little girl in the mall, whoever you are! Here are a couple of books on the subject:

• Teaching Your Children Good Manners: A Go Parents! Guide
• The Guide to Good Manners for Kids

The Schoolmarm

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