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