New Family Traditions

One of the things I really liked about HIS Mansion, was how they ate dinners.

Each table had about 8-10 people. The people on the ends were the 'excusers and scrapers'... If we ever wanted to get up, we had to ask them to excuse us. If on of the 'excusers' needed to leave the table they would ask the other to excuse them. It was more a show of respect then anything else. It also made us more aware of how we just leave the table without considering others. It really seems small and meaningless, but it really matters.

I have institued this rule since coming back from HIS Mansion. It has proved great fun and awareness from my kids. We laugh more, and talk more at the table. It has been an awakening for us. The kids get a kick out of having the 'parents' asking the kids to be excused. It is also humbling as a parent to have to ask you kids to excuse you.

As we finish our meal, one of the people on the end of the table is the 'scraper'. When finished eating you pass your plate to the end, where the person at the end will scrape off the plate and place the utensils into a large cup. Then you ask to be excused or wait until everyone is done eating.

When I am an excuser, I make sure whoever is finished first... meaning the kid that inhaled his food to quickly get back to video games... helps by cleaning up the kitchen before he gets excused. They are actually highly motivated. : )

Sometimes, it's the little things... ya know?~