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When my husband and I first had kids, we didn't think we'd be bringing our girls up having to adhere to all the strict manners we were brought up with.

Sure, they have to say "please" and "thank you," and they have to be polite.  We're not raising little rascals.  Well, not exactly.  

But, for example, we didn't think it was necessary to have to say, "May I please be excused from the table?" in order to be dismissed from the table.  That always seemed like a little much to me.

Then, of course, the lived experience changes all that.

Dinnertime can be a very hectic experience in our household.  It's hard enough to get toddlers to eat, but getting them to sit in their chairs while they're not eating is also a challenge.  Our twins have to get out of their chairs to get this-or-that toy or to play with each other.  It makes us crazy.

All of a sudden, my husband and I recently found ourselves telling our daughters that they had to sit down and that they couldn't leave the table until they asked to be excused.

Huh?  It was one of those crazy moments when you simply cannot believe what words are coming out of your dratted parental mouth.

But there you go.  And dinnertimes are more peaceful now.  And they even eat a little more.