After a month or so of my “no reading at the table” plan I figured I’d post a quick update. I know how much you all are concerned with the dining situation at my house.

Overall the plan has been a success! Lex’s table manners have improved and he is no long as sloppy and disgusting to eat with. He thinks and plans and joins in the conversation. He laughs and participates. This evening I decided to start our annual “thankfuls” at the dinner table. With no fuss Lex jumped right in with a thoughtful thankful.

That said, there is one down-side to the plan… Lex no longer eats!! That’s maybe a slight exaggeration, but in the past he would plop down with a book, check out, and eat whatever you put in front of him (with some limitations, of course). Now he bounces around in his seat, chats, laughs, gets up, sits down, fidgets with whatever he can reach and doesn’t eat! (that doesn’t actually sound like very good table manners, does it?!) Sometimes I have to set a timer for him or take his food away at a certain time, just so we can move on with the day. I swear his calorie intake, and books read, has been cut in half!

Sigh. I guess you can’t win them all. But at least he’s less messy and gross to eat with. :)