Elbows on the table

[DucksNuts]

Im very conscious of my table manners, to the point where I get really uncomfortable if I eat with someone who doesnt have any, or very little table manners.

Breathing noises whilst eating really make me cringe, elbows on the table only after the meal is finished.

My mum used to tell us, elbows on the table made you look like a hungry dog protecting your meal from the dogs.

It was a huge hurdle for my ex and I, eating at the table, his American table habits used to drive me nuts!!

Im not too strict with the boys, so long as they sit on their bums, dont play with their cutlery, and dont mess around too much.

Re clean plate....Im a big believer in letting them decide how much they eat off their plates, but they know that the old *Im hungry* 30 mins after a meal routine will result in them getting their leftovers served again.

T-man (5), is a great eater, he tries everything he is served, sits quietly and chats, eats well and doesnt dick around.

A-man (3) is a grazer. If you try and make him sit and eat a decent size meal at one time, it will result in a battle of wills...3 year olds are VERY stubborn 'specially when they have red hair he squirms, fiddles, blows bubbles, generally dicks around and drives me spare.

I also find it depends on what they have eaten, or done during the day, to what they require at dinner time....so I usually serve smaller servings and they get more if required. But usually it results in them having 3 different courses, rather than more dinner.

Whatever works in my book.