This is today's solution to our "horrible mealtime dilemma". Ok, so it's not really a dilemma. It's a very lovey, wonderful situation, but one we haven't figured out how to handle. The kids like hugs and kisses and snuggles and rubbing noses and any other form of affection. Especially during mealtimes when they can use that as an excuse to get out of their chairs.
The problem comes in the frequency/quantity of the love. If Chad reaches over and gives Laura a hug, since he can reach her from his chair, then Evan and Kendra both jump up and run over to his chair to get a hug also.
Similarly, if I'm out of my chair to get something for someone, I'll often kiss someone on the head on the way past. But the other two kids then get out of their chair to come get a kiss or hug also.
Like I said, it's a very lovey problem. The real problem is that the kids (specifically Evan and kind of Laura) need to work on staying in their chairs during mealtimes. So this one innocent display of affection towards one child brings forth the immediate end of all sitting for all three kids.
And the bigger, more important problem is that Chad and I feel like complete jerks if someone asks for a hug during a meal and we tell them no. Complete jerks.
So, tonight I decided to make Love Coupons. The kids will each get one at the beginning of each meal. They may use it at any point during the meal, or not use it at all. But, once they have used their coupon for that meal, they then have to stay in their chair for the remainder of the meal.
Really, I promise we're not that strict of parents about mealtime behavior. There's way more burping than should ever be necessary. There's a disturbing amount of "bathroom talk". And it's not uncommon to see a foot try to sneak up on top of the table. But we do try to keep some control and enforce common courtesies and basic manners ... and reduce the likelihood of a glass getting knocked off the table.
So, starting tomorrow, my solution is Love Coupons. It's either a genius idea that's going to revolutionize mealtimes in our house (kidding, but I like to dream big), or I just wasted a half-hour making cute little coupons.
