Mealtime House Rules

When I was little, I lived most of my younger years with my maternal grandparents, on a large farm. They had a big family of their own.
(12 kids .. most grown and gone at that point in time)

.. when it was mealtime, which I remember to be a happy, relaxed time ... everyone talking around the table.
No one told me to eat or not eat anything. Food was plentiful, and I could pick what I wanted, and did.
I still remember my grandmother as being the sweetest, kindest person, and very soft-spoken. She was a gem, and a wonderful cook.
 

The kids had to stand behind their chairs until our parents sat down. We had to follow all rules of etiquette. The only confusing part was that we handled knives and forks like the Germans do. I actually looked up how Americans do that recently.

My father would make me try one spoonful of food I didn't like. Greens come to mind - turnip, Kale, and whatever else there is. I didn't like them and neither did my dog. For some reason, I did not have to eat tomatoes, after the first and only bite. Probably because we had OJ every morning, and there were already carrots on the table.

We weren't allowed to read or sing while dining, although we never thought about doing that until we heard the rule. We talked instead. My mom was a great cook, and I liked everything except greens, tomatoes, and fish - even liver and onions.

Afterward, when we were old enough, my sister and I cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher, etc.

Kids also had to stand up when an adult walked into the room (except when seated at the dining table). Kids don't do that any more.
 

Mealtimes were fun in our house. Dinner was usually on time. We helped ourselves to what we wanted to eat. If you didn't feel very hungry you were allowed to leave the table but not the room and could entertain the others with some music. We all played a muscal instrument, so it was a time to show off a little!
 
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