Be Prepared…

It is our custom at the Bennett house to NOT joke and play at the table when we are eating. We believe that when you are eating you do not need to be putting your plate on your head, combing your hair with your dingle hopper (fork) or poking your sibling trying to make them spew food all over. I know harsh huh? But rules are rules no matter how absurd they may sound. If we are not eating with the kids the meal time is spent telling them to “stop and eat your food”. I did not realize how much I had said that until on Saturday the kids were eating lunch and Coby and I were working outside. A few minutes after I went outside to help Coby sure enough we hear Justin trying to get Michael to laugh and some dishes clanging, I pop my head in the door and say “Children finish this sentence for me ‘be quiet and …’” to that they all reply in unison “eat your food”. I say “thank you” and go back to working. Not more than a minute later we hear the scrapping of stools and some more dishes clanging so I shout “Stop and …” “eat your food” they say then I say “finish this sentence for me ‘eat your food and stop joking around or you can ALL go into your bedrooms and prepare your bottoms for…’” and they all look at each other and say in unison, “SPANKINGS”. I say “Thank you for your time and understanding on this matter I look forward to NOT spanking you all this afternoon.” They did finish their lunch. They did NOT get spankings….yet.