dinner rules

Katrina Kenison's book, Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mother's in a Hurry

1. At the dinner table, all conversation should be suitable for and include all present. (Parents: this means this is not the time to discuss the latest breaking news about how X politician - GASP! - took a bribe from Y lobbyist or - GASP! - solicited unsavory favors from Z political aide).

2. You are required to take one bite of everything you are served, without complaint, before passing judgement. Everyone is encouraged to express thanks and compliments to the cook, but negative comments are strongly discouraged.

3. If, after these initial bites, you find nothing palatable enough to sustain you to the next meal, you may go to the kitchen and bring back cheese and a piece of fruit.

4. After you are done eating, you should ask to be excused and then leave those aforementioned parents alone for ten minutes, so they can discuss grown-up stuff (like X, Y, and Z indicated above).

Above was borrowed from another post, but feels like it will come in handy in the upcoming years. Toddlers give you new perspective on eating at the dinner table.