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