It is unclear to me why I am trying to get an eight-year-old boy to put a cloth napkin in his lap each night, but I am. It sits under his knife, on the table, where he thinks it belongs. During this nightly struggle, there is always a question posed:
Me: “When is that napkin going to be placed in your lap?”
Last night’s response: “When I get a pony.”
And then there was this one recently: “When I have my own unicorn.”
Last night, Monkey made progress in his cause; he decided to use eight-year-old logic in his cloth napkin-placing (and using) aversion.
“Mom, it’s the same as asking me to wear a tie to school; it’s just not necessary.”
Bursting into laughter didn’t help to maintain my position, but I could not help myself. The kid is funny.
This isn’t defeat; it’s simply a temporary setback.
It’s a new day.
Let the battle commence.
Comments
19 responses to “The Battle for Dining Etiquette”
Aw, c’mon, Mom! Give the kid a unicorn already! Sheesh!
I know; I am a terrible parent. But I seriously doubt he would use the napkin even if I gave him a unicorn. There were so many promises to help with the dog and I am doing most of the work with Lucky. Then I would be stuck caring for a dog and a unicorn. My guess? The boy would still not use a napkin.
Parenting is tough.
He sounds brilliantly spirited and witty! How fortunate you are to have an intelligent and amusing son. :)
His negotiation skills at eight are frightening. Or brilliant. It depends on your perspective.
That’s the best thing about kids–they keep you on your toes.
Yes, and make laugh daily!
I was never a napkin in the lap person, but was vigilant to get the kids to keep their elbows off the table. Unfortunately, they think like me. If I can’t understand the reason then it is difficult to abide by the rule.
“It’s considered bad manners.”
“Why? It’s an elbow.”
“I know, but some people will think it is rude.”
“Why?
“Because it is bad manners.”
“Says who?”
“Just move your elbows and you have butter in your hair.”
So happy to learn I have another parent out there struggling with this issue! This made me laugh. I love your comment!
This is an ongoing battle in my house. I still can’t believe it when I’m talking to my boys and one of them takes a bite and then does a massive arm swoosh to wipe their face with their sleeve. I could care less if the napkin goes on their lap. I just want them to use the damn thing on their face. Introducing them to the napkin every night doesn’t seem to help a bit. “Will and Drew, I’d like you to meet the napkin. You use it on your messy face. Napkin, meet Will and Drew” and then I smear napkin on said faces. No impact.
It is crazy, seriously, that such a simple thing is lost on these kids. I will continue to fight this battle. Let me know if anything works for you! I could use an idea or two.
This brings back memories of my Mom sitting us at the table. She told us, in no uncertain terms, we are not allowed to behave as anything other than “proper ladies and gentlemen” at the table — whether at home or in public. Her very own ‘Miss Manners School’. :-)
Your mother should have written a book on the subject. It would be a best seller today.
I’ll pass that suggestion on!
I’ve been warning my wife to be prepared for a lot of this. Growing up, she always said she was never the “accept what I don’t understand” type & neither was I. They will be sure to inherit it.
Genetically speaking, you and your wife are a bad match. You. Are. Screwed.
The good news is it will make for great blogging. I will sit back and laugh when you go through this.
You know kids. They will always come up with the most outrageous reasons on why you cannot make them do or don’t do something.
Agreed. I love when the reasons make me laugh. Some make me grind my teeth, which isn’t as much fun.
Coincidentally, “when I have my own unicorn” is what Angelina Jolie answered when people asked her when she was going to marry Brad Pitt. But you know she’ll actually get one.
So unfair. I hope my son doesn’t learn about Angelina’s unicorn. He will probably want her to adopt him.