Things parents should teach their children about eating habits.
By teaching these things to their children, parents not only help them become more polite at the dinner table but also instill discipline and tidiness in them later in life. Below are 7 things every parent should teach their children at the dinner table.
1. Know how to save money.
One lesson about saving food that parents can teach their children at the dinner table is about leftovers. Parents should tell their children never to waste food because it is wasteful and impolite. To achieve this, guide them to only put small amounts of food into their bowls and try to finish everything in their bowls.
Teach your children about saving money now, starting with their eating habits, so that when they grow up they will appreciate the material things they have and avoid wasteful spending.
2. Be polite when eating out.
There will be times when children accompany their parents to parties, to their parents' friends' houses for meals, or to birthday dinners with their friends' families. Therefore, teaching children good manners when eating out is something every parent should do.
When going out to eat at restaurants or attending parties, remind your child to dress appropriately, and parents should teach their children how to order food and eat politely in public places to avoid embarrassing situations for both parents and children.
3. Ignore demanding children at the dinner table.
Sometimes, wanting attention and to be noticed, children often demand this or that food. The more attention and indulgence parents give their children, the more they become spoiled and demanding.
Therefore, when faced with a tantrum at the dinner table, parents should remind their child to focus on the meal and ignore their demands. If the child continues to throw tantrums, parents should take a firmer approach to prevent them from repeating the behavior during meals.
There are many lessons parents can teach their children at the dinner table. (Illustrative image)
4. How to have a conversation during a meal.
Not talking with a full mouth is an important lesson parents must teach their children. If this isn't instilled in them from a young age, your child will grow up to be extremely impolite at meals, especially when there are guests at home or in crowded places.
The second thing parents should teach their children about conversation during meals is not to interrupt others and to listen attentively. To practice this, parents can take a napkin and pass it around to family members. When the napkin reaches someone, that person has the right to speak; otherwise, they must listen to others. This is a way to teach children respect for others.
5. Posture at the dining table
Guide your child to sit up straight, even when eating, and avoid leaning back. Parents should absolutely not allow their child to develop the habit of leaning against their parent while eating.
6. Be a role model for your children.
For your children to learn and do all of the above, parents must be role models. Never tell them, "You must be polite at the table," while you yourselves don't practice those things. Teaching children should involve specific instructions, from how to hold a spoon, how to scoop food, and how to chew properly.
7. Don't yell or scold.
And one final piece of advice for parents: never yell at your children at the dinner table. Parental anger can negatively impact a child's psychology, causing them to become stressed, lose their appetite, and hinder nutrient absorption.
No matter how angry you are, you should only remind your child gently, because after the meal, you will have plenty of time to discipline them in the way you want.
According to afamily.vn - PC
