Forced Gratitude

Taking a suggestion from The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel, Phd. (click here for a chance to win a free copy of her book), Utah Dad and I have decided to instigate a new rule in our house. Before our children can ask to be excused from the dinner table (an old rule that I love) they must now say, "Thank you for the delicious dinner, Mommy." Exactly like that.

After I announced the new rule at dinner time the other night, Neal asked, "What if we don't think it was delicious?" (He's picky. He rarely thinks anything that doesn't come from the freezer section of Costco is delicious.)

"You'll say it anyway," I told him. Eventually, I hope he'll mean it.