I had to fight the Man and his Boy to get to the following:

*Dinner time is 6pm (as long as Mummy can do that!),
*No hats at the table,
*Nobody leaves the table until everyone is finished,
*Avoid feeding the kids after 4 or 4.30pm,
*Children (including the Boy) are encouraged to help: set the table, get drinks/drink bottles, and clear the table, (well, S&R are encouraged to help, the Boy is 'expected' to help)
*No television (turned off) but may be radio,
*If plates can't be emptied, then you need to have eaten at least a decent amount (that amount depends entirely on the situation at the time),
*No dessert (or anything else) if plates not emptied,
*If the first glass of drink is finished, then you need to eat more food before a refill.
*Ask to leave the table,
*Dinner conversation encouraged, as long as you still eat your dinner!

Before, it was eating at all hours of the evening (or early morning if it was just the Man and I!), tv ALWAYS on (still happens occasionally! grr!), bad manners, etc.

We don't say grace, but I have no doubt that as Steph gets a bit bigger, it will be something that she will do, at least from time to time. She has a genuine interest in religion and prayer, so I definitely won't quash that.

Lilias; I love your picnic dinners! I might just borrow that idea....

Just re-reading my post.... I feel a bit autocratic