And That Was When The Record Scratched.

We were sitting at the table, enjoying the high life of steak, baked potatoes, and fresh green beans. Dinner was a tad later than is the norm, and the children had been swarming about hunting for dropped bits on the floor. In fact, Elizabeth, who had not eaten her lunch, had managed to inhale her baked potato in the minute and a half between when I sat her up to the table and when I sat down next to her.

Now, people, eatin' time in our home brings out the beasts in our offspring. Sweet children with manners suddenly turn into carnivores with demands. 'I want', 'give me', 'I need', 'where is my' are the phrases that erupt from their mouths even before the echos of our collective 'Amen' reaches the ceiling. (Good thing God's quick, or He might altogether miss our agreeing) We scream loudly over the din for them to all 'SHUSH!' gently remind them to speak one at a time and use their manners, then proceed to remind them that there are seven people at the table with needs and that we are doing the best we can to accommodate everyone.

Elizabeth was eating her food nearly as fast as I could get it on her plate. At some point, she sweetly demanded more meat. That is to say, her attitude and her voice reflected respect and sweetness, but her words were entirely lacking in manners. Joshua asked her to please try again, to which she put in a mannerly request for more steak.

After I had deposited the meat onto her plate, Joshua attempted to remind her to again use her manners.

'Elizabeth, what should you say to Mommy now? She gave you some meat.'

Elizabeth looked up serenely and, clearly as a bell, replied, 'Cut it.'