Let’s do some math! 365 x 3 = 1,095
You and your family will eat about 1,095 meals in a year. If your children are going to do something over a thousand times a year, shouldn’t they know how to do it correctly? Yes, of course they should! But what exactly do you need to teach them and how?
Teach your kids table manners now, so that good table manners become their everyday habits. Then when your son has dinner at his new girlfriend’s house or your daughter has an important interview over breakfast, they’re prepared and confident. They won’t be distracted by nerve-wracking doubts like, “Which bread plate is mine?” or “What should I do with my fork?”
They will know because you prepared them. Dining with confidence starts at the family dinner table.
When my kids were younger, I struggled to teach them table manners because I wanted our family to enjoy dinner time. Nagging and pleading are just no fun! 
After doing some reading and getting creative, I found it was possible to teach my family table manners in a stress-free way. Over time (and with a little patience) my family mastered table manners and even came to understand why they’re important!
I’ve taught thousands of young people table manners through workshops, junior cotillions, and after school classes. Good table manners builds confidence in young people and prepares them for their future both socially and professionally.
I’m super excited about my Family Table Manners Boot Camp, that brings my easy to follow, step by step table manners lessons to your family table (get a free lesson here).
As promised, here are a few pointers to help you teach your family good table manners:
1– Do your best to use good table manners yourself to set the right example. If you’d like to brush up on your own table manners, read a good resource book such as Emily Post’s Etiquette.
2– Make a list of the particular table manners (see the checklist below) that you feel are most important for your children to learn. Then choose one to concentrate on at each meal. Don’t try to cover too much at once.
3– When teaching your children, gentle reminders are best. Try not to overreact when you see your teen stuff half his steak in his mouth. Simply say, “Remember to take smaller bites” and grit your teeth silently ;).
4– Consistency is important. Require and use good table manners at every meal whether you’re at the kitchen table, at Subway for a quick sandwich, or in a nice restaurant for a celebration dinner.
5– Enroll your kids in a manners-themed class, camp or Junior Cotillion. These types of programs reinforce what you’re teaching at home and give children an opportunity to practice their manners in a fun, socially safe setting. Hiring an etiquette teacher for private instruction is another option but can be expensive.
6– Try a table manners free lesson with your family from my Table Manners Boot Camp online course. It’s like I’m with you at your family table guiding you through table manners learning one lesson at a time. All you need is a screen and my course! If you and your family decide to join the course, you’ll receive weekly easy to follow video lessons plus Parent Notes with tips and tricks to make the learning engaging and fun. You and your family view the lesson at the beginning of your meal and then practice while you eat together.
Curious? Try it out! Click here to enter your email and I’ll send you a free lesson>>> Freebie!
✔ Checklist: Five Table Manners Your Family Needs to Know
This list is a starting point and will give your family a solid foundation for everyday dining.
- What is where on the table: correct placement of the fork, knife, spoon, napkin, drink, bread plate, etc. in a place setting
- How to use the napkin: the do’s and don’ts including what to do with it when you leave the table momentarily and when your meal is finished
- How to use the knife & fork correctly: cutting food and eating correctly, the resting/finished position for utensils and appropriate bite size
- How to enjoy each others’ company at the table: making appropriate and positive conversation and using The Fab Four (also known as magic words)
- Dining Courtesies: when to start eating, posture, complimenting and thanking the person who provided the meal for you, excusing yourself from the table and how to pass food correctly
Wishing you happy dining, Moms! Remember to sign up for a free Family Table Manners Boot Camp lesson. It will be delivered to your inbox right away.
The Family Table Manners Boot Camp- online course
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Having good table manners is a cornerstone of being respectful, considerate and polished.
OH my gosh!!! I didn’t know there were cotillions anymore!!! My stepmother made me go when I was young. We learned party manners, how to sit like a lady and lots of ball room dances, it was great!
I used to work at a Career and Technical School and one of our teachers taught a class on table manners. This was about 6-7 years ago. I don’t know if the students absorbed her lesson, but I sure did (as well as the other teachers!). To this day, when we dine together, no one passes the salt or the pepper by themselves. They always go together. Also, we always remember that if we make a circle with our thumb and index finger with both hands, with the rest of our fingers straightened, we have created a b with our left hand (bread) and a d with our right hand (drink), so when we are at big banquets we know which tableware is ours, and which is our neighbor’s.
Yes, Suzanne! Junior Cotillions are still thriving! I direct a couple locally and it is so much fun for the students (and me too)! As you remember, we teach table manners, how to introduce yourself, how to make polite and engaging conversation plus contemporary skills such as netiquette & smartphone manners.
Thanks for stopping by The Mannerly Mom!
Hi, Melony! You did learn a lot at that presentation. I use the “ok” sign= b & d in my classes to teach which side your drink is on and which side your bread plate is on. These little bits of knowledge do build confidence!
I also remind students that what is most important at the dining table is being courteous, kind and engaging (no cell phones!).
Thanks for stopping by The Mannerly Mom!
Thank you for sharing this, my kids have grown up, but I remember it was not always easy to teach them some basic manners. We all could use a refresher, but that is not likely to happen. Thanks for the pointers, I will remember them for when the grandkiddies come.
Thank you for stopping by The Mannerly Mom, Marjan! Table manners are confidence building and can be taught in a positive, fun way. Have fun with your grandchildren!
I needed a friendly reminder to be teaching my kids proper etiquette! Sometimes I think I just get in survival mode trying to make sure everyone eats and stays seated and that dinner doesn’t take five hours lol! Your 5 points are a great starting point for me!