All the kids remain seated together until the end of the meal here as well.

If you're finished that's fine, make pleasant conversation (I had a picky eater visiting this week ... he made conversation about how much he didn't like the food ... not quite what I was going for, but he was as pleasant as could be about it). Don't want to eat? No problem, sit and chat.

My family has always eaten meals together and remained at the table until the end so I guess it's just normal to me and I prefer it, I can't imagine not doing it this way, and it always catches me off guard when a new child starts and expects to get up when they're finished eating.

I do not base the menu around the kids preferences, for the most part. The exception is if someone really likes something I like to make - then I'll definitely serve that when they're here. And I often wait until the meal has begun to serve their milk - that way they'll eat before filling up on milk.

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