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

[DisneyBeagle]

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

 

[DisneyBeagle]

I am surprised at the results so far. I would have thought that more people enforced the "put your napkin on your lap" rule.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

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

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

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.

 

[KelNottAt]

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

Yup. Alas, like so many other standards, it happens less and less these days. (Not pointing the finger at anyone.)

 

[DISUNC]

Yup...BUT only when the napkins are linen! So finer resturants only!

 

[DISUNC]

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.

 

[MAKmom]

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.

Just in a restaurant & formal family dinners. I do insist they use utensils.

 

[BuffettFan]

We taught the kids the "napkin rule" while they were still in booster seats at the kitchen table. We also taught them to say grace before eating as soon as they could talk. It used to be a simple "Thank you Jesus for our food". We think it's easier if you teach them these things "right from the start". This way they don't know any differently !

 

[pearlieq]

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

Eh. I think it's going the way of the pickle fork. I'll do it in an formal setting, but I definitely don't insist on it at home or in a casual restaurant.

I think it's kind of impractical and becoming outmoded. I find it much more functional to have my napkin at hand than in my lap.

 

[lulugirl]

Only in restaurants.

 

[Minnie_me]

Eh. I think it's going the way of the pickle fork. I'll do it in an formal setting, but I definitely don't insist on it at home or in a casual restaurant.

I think it's kind of impractical and becoming outmoded. I find it much more functional to have my napkin at hand than in my lap.

I agree. We always have napkins at the table, but they are usually being held in hands and being used to wipe mouths while eating.

I tell the girls to put napkins in their laps whenever the napkins are CLOTH. No matter where we are. (not really sure why, but this is what we do)

 

[wowsmom]

I voted "other" - because we are trying to get them in the habit of doing it. At a restaurant, most of the time, they will remember. At home, they sometimes forget. I should probably mention that they are both boys - and don't really care about getting messy!

 

[Freyja]

Nope.

 

[helenabear]

I don't have kids yet, but are we the only ones who do not use napkins on a daily basis at home? If something is spilled we'll grab some paper ones or a paper towel, but we don't use them often at all.

In a restaurant I use napkins on my lap at pretty much all times (even fast food paper ones)

 

[kathie859]

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.

 

[NAB]

I was going to say the same thing. We don't use napkins at home. If we need something we will grab a paper towel.

When the kids were smaller we had baby face clothes to use after meals. Now if there is pudding on there face they ask for a face cloth. Most times all is good no clean up at all.

We do use the napkins when we are getting out though.

 

[DMickey28]

I voted yes, but DS is too young!! I will enforce it when he is older. I do gently remind DH as well. Others have said that they rather have their napkin in hand where it is useful. Aren't you supposed to have one hand in your lap when you are eating? Drives me NUTS when DH has his other hand up around the top of his plate!!! I realize it's a bit impractical if you weren't taught that way from day one, but I cut with the knife in my right hand, fork in the left, put the knife down on the top edge of the plate, switch the fork to my right hand and put my left hand in my lap. When you think about it, that's a long ritual for taking a bite but it's second nature. I don't think I could do it any different now ...

 

[cccm]

Yes we do use napkins in our laps. It is a non negotiable manner.

 

[NMAmy]

Yes, all the time. I guess it's such an ingrained habit for me and for DH that we've always done it and taught dd to do it without even thinking about it. I'd never thought of NOT putting a napkin in my lap.

We're not fancy at home but we have paper napkins for everyday use.