The ‘kids table’ or the ‘adults table’? Families often tend to split up during holiday meals, delegating an area where the younger members can all sit together and not interrupt the adults’ polite, conversation-filled meal. But we’ve all reached that awkward age when we ask ourselves: Which table do I get to sit at this time?
Growing Up at the Kids Table
When I was growing up, we always had a kids table. It was a card table set up in the kitchen with a plastic table cloth, paper plates and plastic silverware and, of course, never near the carpet! The adults table, where my parents, sat was in the dining room with a nice table cloth, china and crystal glasses.
I always thought it was fun to sit with my cousins at the kids table and never really wanted to sit nicely at the adults table. However, sitting with my older brother was never very much fun. He constantly picked on me. From poking me with his plastic knife to putting things in my drinks, my dinner often ended with me in tears or eventually sitting in my mom’s lap at the adults table.
I always questioned why I got in trouble when it was always my brother’s fault. If he wasn’t picking on me, one of us was getting into trouble for throwing dinner rolls of flinging mashed potatoes. Before dinner would even start, my parents would bribe us with dessert. I knew that if I was good, then I’d get a piece of pumpkin pie.
I knew, in order for me to move up from the kids table, it was understood that someone would have to pass away, get divorced or not be there that holiday meal. For me, I never got away from the kids table, but in reality I didn’t want to sit at the adults table.
Finding a New Meaning for the Kids Table
Eventually, we grew up and started our own traditions and yet, I am still at the kids table. However, the kids table is very different from what I remember. I believe this is because my children are still too young to sit by themselves, so I inevitably still sit with my children for every holiday meal. Now the kids table is more like the parents with kids table and the grandparents and parents with older kids get to enjoy a kid-free meal. Maybe, when my kids are able to sit by themselves and eat alone, then I will move up to the adults table and reinstate the kids table. But is the kids table really worth the effort or is it just a fun tradition for families?
Mallory Connelly
Babies & Toddlers
In addition to the time I devote to being a mom, I also work full-time outside the home, which means my day is hardly ever as simple as nine to five. With an all-too-established schedule, as soon as I walk through the door, my day doesn’t end, but rather just begins. It’s a balancing act, especially with two children, but being a mom is one full-time job that I never want to quit!
