My sister-in-law and I had been talking for weeks about how we needed to update or 72-hour kits. Nothing like an earthquake and tsunami in another part of the world to shock (pardon my pun) us into action. When I watched the news coverage, I knew I was not prepared if something were to happen here, And I couldn’t bear the thought of 4 little kids hanging on my leg hungry. I talked to my sister-in-law that night and we got to work:

I am in a moral dilemma (just a slight exaggeration). My son left the table and also left his bowl, cup, and fork on the table. I asked him to clear it, but he said he was “getting dressed”. That was 15 minutes ago. The bowl of half-eaten macaroni still sits there.

So why a family meal and why manners? Aren’t family meals impossible and manners out dated? First of all, I think the family meal is of paramount importance to the raising of good kids. Second, good manners help children learn restraint, self-control and respect. Manners and mealtime are wonderful complements: