I have never had a problem being first. As a kid, my last name began with “W” so I was almost always at the end of the line. This created an unnatural desire to move up, especially in buffet lines.It is a wonder to me why people are so timid to be the first to go through the buffet line. I am always happy to oblige. I consider it helping out the hostess who has spent hours preparing. I dont want her to be insulted by picky eaters, so I am glad to do this favor and happily get things going. The hostess is always grateful. God knows how I like to please other people.
At events where table numbers are called to the buffet in any particular order, children are often open and honest about their hunger in clearly audible tones. Right after the blessing is usually quiet and a properly timed Mommy, my tummy hurts Im so hungry has been known to accelerate your number in the table selection process. My children learned this from watching other kids do it while they sat waiting. Let me tell you how quickly they will horn in too – if not properly supervised, of course.
While waiting for our turn to eat hones the virtue of patience, I do have a problem getting seconds. Going up for them can make a person feel like a glutton. Others start to look at the size of your thighs and say to themselves, “Ah, that is why they are the size of hams.” I might be paranoid, but the sound of high heels worn with wedding and baptism attire seem to punctuate and draw attention to ones return engagement to the buffet line for the whole crowed, clicking out eat, eat, eat all the way home.
That is why I celebrate the times my children are with me at these special occasions. They dont mind being dutifully sent to get seconds. I give them explicit directions on what item I want as I may end up with the bad tasting casserole that is similar looking to the delicious one. A timesaving tip is to save a little on your plate to show the kids before you send them up. My teacher training was right – visual aids are so handy and do increase comprehension!
The beauty of sending your kids is that one thinks badly of a growing boy getting seconds. A growing mom, now that’s another story. A cute little girl just has to smile in the seconds line and adults melt. The improbability of a 5-year-old getting a second helping of broccoli casserole doesnt even register a second thought. In fact, most say, Ooo, she even likes vegetables. She is a special child. The truth is she lives on peanut butter and hot dogs, but I always agree.
If you have young children who can’t speak understandably yet, you can take them up for seconds with you and ask dutifully, “Is THIS what you wanted, Sweetie?” but be careful. When they get old enough to talk clearly, it is possible they could blurt out “I hate date rolls!” This makes it as transparent as a sauted onion exactly who the seconds are really for, so get a good feel for just how intelligible your childs speech is to others before you try this.
Some may think it isnt right that to send a child to camouflage ones embarrassment at getting second helpings, but my kids like running errands for me. (Did I mention that I let them get a second dessert if they go up for me?)
Back at our own dinner table, the kids cash in their errands for me for a few free passes doing dishes. We all get what we want, and it has given me the opportunity to explain some time honored sayings in a meaningful way. For us, it all works out in the wash.
Author: Mary Fagan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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