I’ve seen scene where kids runaround during wedding dinners. I wouldn’t say it’s an ugly sight, but I’d rather have my own kid sitting down having the dinner rather than running around and might accidentally knock down a bowl of hotsoup the waiter is carrying.
It’s really not an easy task getting a child to sit still throughout the whole 2-3 hours Chinese Wedding Dinner. Especially if it’s at night when the kid is tired and bedtime.
Before Vyktore’s day, I always bring Faythe to attend wedding dinner as I don’t want her to be left behind with the maid alone at home. When she was younger, it was easier as she couldn’t climb out from the chair. If she’s cranky, we will take turns carry her around to entertain her. Most of the time she can last till the 5-6 dish (which is very good)…ahemm …thanks to good training from Mommy *blush*. But when they are able to roam around, it’s another ball game.
Now that she’s bigger, it’s even harder to make her sit still. Lucky thing this Mommy very creative *self-praise again LOL*. This is what I do to make her sit still and we can enjoy rest of the dinner. Usually it can last till the veg or rice dish…at least by then both Daddy and myself are pretty stuffed with the glorious food and wouldn’t mind missing the last few.
First trick: wedding gift
Nowadays, wedding gifts comprises of cakes and chocolate. The trick is, let them explore with the gift. Let her opened up it up and see what’s inside. This should at least keep her busy before the dinner starts. Once she know what’s inside, you will probably have to unwrap the cake or chocolate and let her have it. That will also fill her tummy.
Second trick: food deco
Very often, the first dish is served with some food deco, e.g. edible flower or greens. This can be given to them, again to explore and keep them busy. She will spend some time wondering what the flower is made of and at the end of it peel off all the petals LOL. I did told her the greens are some sort of veg, and she smelled it and checked it out by playing with it.
Third trick: Sharksfin
Faythe is an ardent fan of sharksfin. She can finish 1 bowl all by herself..ahem..very clever in choosing dishes hahaa…So Mommy will get a bowl for her, scoop some sharksfin soup and cool it off, let her feed herself while we enjoy the sharksfin and the 3rd – 4th dish.
Fourth trick: Flowers deco
Usually wedding in hotels are decorated with flower. And being a curious kid, flowers are good haha…I’ll steal (when nobody notices, I’ll pluck it) for Faythe (choose those with lots of petals). Let her have it and again make a mess out of the place by peeling the petal one by one. By now we should be having the 5th/6th dish and the toasting session.
Fifth trick: Fish
She likes fish too, so when fish is served, I’ll make sure I take a good amount of fish, mash them up and debone and keep aside. She can eat it on her own and that’ll keep her busy for a while.
Sixth trick: Mushroom
Another of her favourite. She will eat anything if there’s mushroom. This usually comes as the 2nd last dish before the rice and dessert. If she has her share, then I will be able to have my share as well. Brocolli is also one of her favourite.
Last trick: Go around
OK, since she has lasted for so long, must give her some credit and let her walkaround, do some stretching. Then she’ll be all jolly and go home with a full tummy.
I have yet to bring Vyktore to any wedding dinner, but I doubt he can last that long since usual family dinner he’s already screaming his lungs off after 1 hour :(. Â
Good tricks!
My toughest during dinner is to get my girl to eat… Do you have any tricks to make kids eat?
Wowowow… must learn from you… Hv not brought Ryan to any weddings. Scared I’ll have to leave after sharkfins… 😛
Hehe, good girl can last so long in the chair. Ivan also will be very good, sit and eat if he’s hungry or the food is good… he loves good food.
You really trained Faythe very well eh ; ) I must say, you are really full of ideas to keep Faythe happy sitting there :p *Clap Clap*
hmmm..not really bring my boys attend the wedding dinner b’4..because i’m scared! hahaha..i remember when this year we had our “sau kong” dinner at one of the restaurant with the 8 course dinner..walau..i’m not eating the food me is telan the food!
Wah good tips. But cant bring Raelynne to wedding dinners until she can walk or at least sleep later in the night. Sleeping time is usually 7pm-8pm.
But all the tips definitely can’t apply to Jo, he always prefer to run around though we don’t like our kid be no manners at the dinner. Maybe boys are always more “monkey” than girls lol…
Faythe really knows how to choose “expensive” food lol..
hehehheh same same…but mine will stand up once touch the baby chair. kepala pusing
Yeah my children feed themselves so they are busy with the spoon and fork. If the food come out slow, I prepare some small notebook and color pencil for them to draw and color.
Bravo… nice tricks you have here jazz…. I better prepare for my gal as she’s so active like boys….. how I wish En En have half of Faythe’s patient….
i love your tips but my gal very fast and easy get bored of new things!!!
she always wan me to walk around with her after the first 2 or 3 dishes although i only fancy on the first 3 dishes which is sharksfin and the pig but i still very sien to walking around.
Haha…good tricks. I have no problems letting Brae attend any wedding dinners because he just loves food!
i have 2 family weddings end of this year..will have to take Bryan to both. Hope he’ll be manageable by then. The last one that he went, both hubb and i had to take turns taking him outside for walks…so tiring.
U’re lucky Faythe is easily distracted by the decos. My sons, after the first 3 dishes, they are full and would insist to walk around and visit other people at their tables (make friends) or check out teh surroundings.
Good luck bringing Vyktore to weddings.. I am sure you can train him well too 😉
wah very good la you!
You are full of ideas. Thanks for sharing.
wow.. she can last so long huh?
For me.. I let her go out for walks, or I’ll bring some books for her to read or colouring to do.. there’s only so much you can do at the table, and Zara really doesn’t eat much and like much stuff..
Faythe is good girl.
haha.. my trick or rather my THREAT to oscar will be “dont you dare get down from yr seat cos there will be black black uncle with machines ard to catch you!” done! ah… and i can have dinner peacefully from first meal till the last… but lately clever boy knows how to ask me back “where is the black uncle with the machine?” time to think of another threat!