Do you make your kids put a napkin on their lap while eating?

[famofsix]

The kids like the napkins right next to them otherwise they forget they are there and use their shirt sleeves.

Saves on stainstick.

 

[RadioNate]

cloth napkins in restaurants, usually. However, I find them to be much more useful for DS when they aren't in his lap (or on the floor which is where most lap napkins end up).

We use paper napkins or paper towels at home and again they are much more functional kept at hand rather than in the lap.

 

[famofsix]

I'm surprised that more people don't let kids "practice" manners at home. It just makes going out less stressful if they know what is expected.

And manners aren't just for "company" or "public" consumption--they should be part of their daily family life. Goodness knows that I've done my share of "get your elbows off the table" and "please use your fork THIS way" and "don't take such big bites" but it's nice to have kids who know how to act in public.

my kids are not slobs in public or at home we just don't happen to have the napkin located on our laps. We do have napkins though

 

[LimeGreenEd]

Only with cloth napkins in resturants. Paper napkins on the lap just seem silly.

 

[Beth76]

I don't have kids, so pardon me for asking, but isn't putting a napkin in your lap a part of standard manners??

I don't exactly equate it to chewing with your mouth closed and holding a fork correctly. Besides, they always fall off the kids' laps. I'd rather have the napkin on the table than on the floor.

I don't have kids yet, but are we the only ones who do not use napkins on a daily basis at home?

We don't use napkins at home unless it's something messy like ribs or if we have company. If someone needs one, I'll get them a paper towel.

 

[HOGFAN]

only in restaurants or big family dinners(Thanksgiving, etc.)

 

[Stepht5]

I don't have kids, so pardon me for asking, but isn't putting a napkin in your lap a part of standard manners??

Of course it is! LOL!

 

[disykat]

Usually restaurants and cloth napkins only. Like others I prefer my kids to actually use their napkins, something they don't do if they are out of sight - usually on the floor.

For most things we expect our kids to use adult manners. However, other times we continue to model adult manners and let the kids modify as needed for practicality.

 

[helenabear]

We don't use napkins at home unless it's something messy like ribs or if we have company. If someone needs one, I'll get them a paper towel.

Glad we aren't the only ones then. I find them terribly wasteful at home for paper (we really don't need to burn through that much paper) and cloth is such a pain to clean daily. So we just don't use them at home unless needed or we have company. I am the odd one who does use paper on my lap any time I have them though. I do use it even if it is on my lap

 

[TwinsinCA]

I am in the "no, never" camp, and here's why: I have this thing about my untensils touching the bare table of a restaurant. Just grosses me out. Often I'll be using the fork but might still want the spoon for desert. Sometimes there is another plate to rest them on, but if there isn't, the napkin is the best option.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

I answered "other."

We do have our son keep his on his lap.

DD is younger and shorter, and she doesn't use a booster seat anymore. So, she often kneels on her chair, which makes it almost impossible to keep a napkin on her lap, since it constantly slides off. But, we do try, and if it becomes too much of a hassle we'll let her keep it on the table. That will change as she gets taller, though.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I voted only in restaurants...I don't see the point of doing it at home. Quite honestly, I don't see the point of doing it at all, but we conform because it's proper etiquette. I thought the purpose was to keep food from falling to your lap, but it is physically impossible for any food to get past my chest, so it just lands there anyway. I'd put a napkin there, but I'd look silly!

 

[Snow_White]

Yes, we always do it in restaurants when there are linen napkins (or substantial paper napkins). But, we use regular ole cheapo paper napkins at home and the idea of putting that flimsy piece of trash on my lap just makes me giggle.

 

[Aisling]

No, because when they spill, it falls onto their chests, notonto their laps.

My mother told me years ago that cloth napkins were put on laps not to catch fallen food, but to hide the dirty napkin once you've wiped your mouth on it. It was considered in poor taste and gross to have your soiled napkin seen at the dinner table. Diners kept them on their laps, lifted them to wipe their mouths, and replaced them back on their laps,out of sight.

 

[Barb]

We always do. My DH and I were adamant about teaching our sons proper table etiquette. They were also never allowed to "push" with their fingers and NEVER were they allowed to put a hunk of food on their fork and bite pieces off. They were taught to cut the pieces they were to eat. They didn't always like it then. But they understand now.

 

[THE HAT]

In public but not at home for us. Don't tell anyone, but I don't bother with the napkin in the lap thing at home either. We aren't all that formal; half the time we are lucky that everyone is fully dressed.

Now this is a pefect quote for our house as well...........While eating supper tonight ds(10) was shivering and when I said what is wrong did you get wet at football practice (as the field is soaked) he said Nooooo....I don't have any pants on!!

He had taken off his football pants and was starving so came to supper in just his boxers as he was heading to the shower afterwards, lol!!

*oh and we all do the napkin in lap out to eat but at home it is grabbed when needed used and usually thrown out, or a kitchen towel is grabbed and kept at hand.