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rules. Let them concentrate on prac–
ticing these rules until they forro a
proper habit.
For instance, you might instruct your
children on the use of the dinnerware
- bow to hold each piece properly.
Teach them - giving instructions prior
to mealtime. Then, at mealtime give
praise for doing it right. Of course,
Moro and Dad should set the right
example. This phase of etiguette can
be
worked on for quite a while. Then go
on to another area.
Dad•s Place at the Dinner Table
A
wise roan once wrote, "Wherever
Dad sits is the head of the table." How
true.
Perhaps the fami ly mea! means more
to the father than to anyone else.
It
gives him a chance to have his whole
family gathered around him. Here is his
opportunity to set the example of stabil–
ity
and masculinity children can look to.
They see what
it
means to
be
the head
of the household.
He can and should direct the conver–
sation to make it pleasant and uplifting.
He should
be
sure topics of conversa–
tion will
be
of interest to the whole
family. Here is his opportunity to
become more personally acquainted
with his children and to let them know
him better as well.
Here's how to bridge the generation
gap ! And make it pleasant, relaxing
and profitable too!
Dad can let the child ren know more
about his work. They could discuss their
schoolwork - activities, sports, recre–
ation. Or they cou ld discuss a family
outing - next summer's vacation, sum–
mer work for the teen-agers, etc.
There are scores of subjects for pleas–
ant mealtime conversation. But it is
important to make sure the conversation
iJ
pleasant.
It
is also important that
there be order and not confusion at the
dinner table. Here is where father can
exercise proper authority - keeping
order and directiog the conversatioo.
He must not allow uopleasant topics or
controversia! matters to come up at the
table. He must put a stop to all
argumeot!
Mealtime should be a pleasaot expe–
rience filled with goodwi ll. This pro–
motes fami ly closeness and love.
The
PLAIN TRUTH
Mother's Glory
Mealtime is Mother's time to shine.
Here is her chaoce to express creativity.
When analyzed, it is apparent that a
complete dinner - prepared aod served
- is akio to an engineering project!
It
must be planned in advance, then each
portion skillfully done so that all
phases are completed in a coordinated
manner. In other words, soup, salad,
meat, vegetables, bread or rolls, bever–
ages and dessert must be ready to serve
at the proper time.
Add to this the infinite variety of
ways one can decorate a table and you
truly have a masterpiecc. A table setting
can be a work of art in itself.
It
should
be color-coordinated. Flowcr arrange–
ments can be used to brighten and
eoliven the table setting. These in them–
selves are an expression of artistic en–
deavor.
" 'The table is the point for family
reunion twice or three t imes a day, and
nothing should
be
lacking that we can
do to make those meetings pleasant aod
cheerful. No decoration will suffice to
cover untidy napery, dim glass, or only
partly clean silver. All details must
be
Jooked to, and then a perfect whole may
be expected.' This advice taken from an
English Penny Weekly dated 1896, has
lost none of its validity." (From the
book
Table Settings, Enterlaining, and
Etiq11et1e
by Patricia E. Roberts, pagc
54.)
Remember this quote from
Good
Homekeeping
magazine: "The essential
ingredient in every successful meal -
the love you put into the planning and
preparing of it."
AH housewives should realize that
the table setting and the way in which
the food is served have an important
psychological effect oo the persoo eat–
iog. Food appearance and table appear–
ance can actually make the dish appear
tastier and more palatable.
It
would do
housewives good to study proper aod
improper photograpbs of table and
food settiogs in cookbooks.
You don't necessarily nced expeosive
food, dishes, or decoratioos to make
an attractive table. Thece are place
settings in many different price raogcs
- all can be used to good advantage.
Just ooe rose, or Rowers from your
June-Jul y, 1970
yard or garden can add immeasurably
to your table setting.
Even on a picnic- using paper
plates, paper cups and plastic dinoer–
warc - the table setting can
be
very
attractivc and pleasing, adding much
to the enjoyment of the meal.
But the wife may complain, "What's
the use of settiog an attractive table
when my husband doesn't come borne
on time? The children and I just eat
by ourselves." In many homes this is
true. But it is still good for the wife
and the children to eat at a pleasant
and attractive table.
However the
comiderate htuba1zd
will
try to be home at a regularly scheduled
time, or
cal/ his tUife
if he will be a
little late. This will greatly encourage
her in hcr cfforts in meal preparation
and table setting.
Prayer of Appreciation
The finest way to start off the mea! is
to pause aod take time to be thankful.
Today people seem to forget that every–
thing we eat comes from the ground.
And that it takes rain and sunshine to
make it grow. Eveo animal products are
dependent upon the vegetation that
comes from the ground.
Therc is One who made this earth
and who provides the rain and sun–
shine. It is good to pause and give
thanks to Almighty God for the food
we eat, for our health and safety, for
our home and for each member of our
family.
If
thc father of the family would
have the courage and leadership and
humility to set this right example of
strength, he would gain much more of
the love and admiration of his family
- not only immediately but for years to
come.
We generally tend to be the same
kind of pareots to our children that our
parents were to us. And our children
will grow up to
be
the way they have
been taught through our rearing.
Jt is up to us today to give our chil–
dreo a home life of stability - of
warmth, comfort, security, doseness and
love. There is no better place to start
than at the dinner table.
Bcgin to make mealtime profitable.
Reap thc benefits that come to the
fami ly that eats together! O