My oldest daughter tells me at least a few times a week, “Mommy, it’s hard to be patient!” As someone who is not a patient person, I totally empathize with how she feels. It IS hard to wait, sometimes.
When you combine Darah’s inherited lack of patience with the low tolerance for remaining at the dining room table (which is something she inherited from her father, who likes to dine and dash), it can make meal times a real test for her. We have to constantly try to bring her focus back to the meal and even to the family time together.
Manner Mats have helped us keep Darah in her chair. Specifically, we’ve been using Preschool Manner Mats. These were invented by an etiquette expert and they each come with 38 one-use place mats that contain lessons about good behavior and good manners. They also have pictures to be colored. Basically, they provide an educational opportunity for your child and topics for conversation with the family at the dinner table.
While I don’t use these every day, I find them to be especially helpful when Darah is trying to avoid eating her dinner. The longer she sits by her food, even if she is distracted by a different activity, the more likely she is to take a few bites!
Manner Mats and Preschool Manner Mats are available online for a very reasonable $9.99. I think they make great, affordable holiday gifts! They can also help a night at home feel more like a night at a restaurant!
Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win your choice of Manner Mats (ages 6+) or Preschool Manner Mats (ages 3-6).
Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.
I received complimentary products for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.