When you were are child and finished your (main - lunch/dinner) meal...

[~*Belle 2003*~]

...did you have to wait for permission to leave the table or ask if you could go?

I did!

When I was a bit older we always helped clear the table and took it in turns to help dry the dishes - Mum always washed them!

I did have a very happy childhood, even if it was a bit strict at times!

 

[Carl]

Never had to ask.

 

[helenabear]

Yep, I remember having to ask And I am pretty sure that clean up (at least taking to the sink) was required of us too... just became habit after a while

 

[grinningghost]

Yes. And usually it came with a "Not until you finish your (fill in the blank)". I was a seriously picky eater.

 

[CEDmom]

Yes, we had to ask to be excused. When everyone was done we were expected to come back and help clear the table. My mom and I usually did the dishes and still do when we're together. It's a good chance to talk.

We've taught DD to ask as well although we still have to remind her most nights.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

nope,usually someone had to be out the door after meals

 

[LadyAurora]

No, but that was because usually everyone else was long gone by then. I was picky too, and had to stay at the table until my plate was clear.

 

[treesinger]

Originally posted by LadyAurora
No, but that was because usually everyone else was long gone by then. I was picky too, and had to stay at the table until my plate was clear.

I had to satisfy the "minimum plate clearing" requirement before asking to be excused. Until I was 10 or so anyways.

 

[Snowwark]

At dinner we had to ask to be excused, and wait for permission to do so. If you hadn't eaten most (if not everything) on your plate, you would end up sitting there until the street lights came on, or later.

 

[JVL1018]

I had to ask to be excused and so do my children.
In fact my son got up tonight without saying a word(he'll be 3 in a couple of weeks) and he had to come sit back down and say May I please be excused? and then he could go.
The kids have to bring their plates to the sink as well when they get up.

When we were kids, like I said we had to ask, then when everyone was done, we all came back in, cleared the table, Mom washed the dishes, I dried the silverware, older brother dried the dishes, younger brother dried the pots and tupperware. Dad read the paper.

Tea and dessert every night after dinner, whole family, including grandma.
It was really a very nice way to grow up.

 

[browneyes]

No.

 

[Nancy]

I don't remember...but probably not....cause I think I would remember something like that if I had to do it.

 

[ZachnElli]

"May I be excused please?" I know that phrase well! Yes, I had to be excused.

 

[phyllis1966]

No, we didn't need permission to leave the table, nor were we expected to help clean up until we were teenagers and Mom decided she was tired of doing it all herself! DH and I, however, are teaching DD5 to ask to be excused and to clear her place. My Mom wound up being sorry she and my Dad didn't insist on us helping out from a younger age, so we started DD getting DD used to these things at age 4. She's very polite and helpful most of the time, but every once-in-a-while !

 

[JayCT]

We did not have to ask to leave when I was a kid, but we did have to clear our plates and help clean up afterward. We make our kids clear their plates and we do not get them dessert until we are done eating our meal. They are too yet to wash dishes, but they will be old enough soon. Actually can't wait.

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

Originally posted by grinningghost
Yes. And usually it came with a "Not until you finish your (fill in the blank)".

I only ever heard that for finishing off foods like vegetables "Eat a bit more then you can have some pudding".

It was always things like carrots & brussel sprouts. I really love sprouts now!

 

[lilpritch04]

Hmmm, we rarely ate at home...
I think we were excused most of the time, but we didn't have to wait for everyone to be done. Once we were finished eating, one of my parents would excuse us from the table and we would load our dishes in the dishwasher.
Later on, if we ate at home we were on our own in our rooms or watching TV.
I had a great home life and my parents were very supportive and active in our lives, dinner just wasn't a big deal. But we still went out to eat as a family a lot--still do, that's the only way DH and I go to a restaurant now

 

[piratesmate]

We had to ask permission to leave the table, but knew better than to even ask if there was ANY thing on our plates! We didn't get to leave though. We had to go start the dishes. (Mom always made quite a few...maybe that's why I try to use the least number of dishes & utensils possible! )

My kids always asked. I don't remember ever telling them they had to - it just started when they were still in the high chair & couldn't get out on their own. They just continued doing so.

Around here the big question is always "Do I have to eat at the table?" DS wanted to eat in his room & DD wants to eat in front of the TV...not allowed.

Did anyone here grow up with a TV in the dining room? I was shocked when I met DH - the TV was on during breakfast, lunch & dinner...every day. Ours was never on - we actually talked to each other.

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

Originally posted by lilpritch04
Hmmm, we rarely ate at home...

We rarely ate out, only on special occasions and when we went visiting friends & family.

My Mum made us home cooked meals most days too.

Today it's what can we do that's quick and easy and usually microwavable!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

My sister and I had to ask to leave the table, and we had to clear our plates. DDs are the same. Even the 2 1/2 year old (3 end of Oct) knows that she has to ask to leave ("May I please get otu of my chair please?"), then carry her plate and cup to the sink.