When you were growing up, were there separate tables set aside for children and adults during the holidays? Did you sit at the kids’ table each year, eagerly anticipating when the time would come that you were big enough to join the grown up table? Hopefully, you have made it by now. I didn’t think I’d ever get there. It seemed that every year kids had to be older to join the land of adults. I could just imagine how much better it must be at the glorious grown up table.
When I finally got there, it wasn’t such a big deal. I hadn’t been missing a thing. In fact, I missed the kids’ table, because it was a lot more fun. We joked, laughed, told way better stories than the grown ups, and made cool things out of our food. We traded stuff we didn’t like, but at the big table, there was no way to get rid of your peas.
Many people avoid separating children from grown ups at gatherings these days, fearing children will feel left out. It is of course up to you to decide. You might even want to ask your children what they think, and you might find that they like setting up their own table and relaxing with other kids.
If you do have a kids’ table, make it extra fun. Help your kids make centerpieces and other decorations for their table (and the big table if you like). While it’s probably a good idea to set up the kids’ table right by the adult table so you can keep an eye on things and offer assistance as needed, it will still allow your children to be a little more relaxed. It will also allow adults to talk and visit amongst themselves while the kids catch up with each other.
What do you think about a kids’ table?
Related: Enlisting Help for the Holidays