CLOSED: Mealtime Manners Placemat – Review and Giveaway

What are Mealtime Manners Placemats?

“Suzy Martyn, prenting consultant, author and speaker, invented these ingenious placemats. Your child will follow the pathway to mealtime manners, with ten fun stops along the way. Beginning with “Be thankful for another meal” to “Clear the table” and everything in between, your child will be empowered to take the initiative. Engaging illustrations make it easy for pre-readers to act like a “big kid.”

On the girls’ side is a colorful stroll through a flowery meadow. The boys’ side, with the same ten rules, is a swerving speedway, complete with checkered flag at the finish line.

The mats are laminated and clean with just a wipe.” (from www.mommymdguides.com)

wp7f39845b_0f wpe2f2eb4e_0f

How did Suzy come up with the idea?

“All my products are the result of my own need as a parent over time. In the case of the Mealtime Manners placemats, I really wanted my kids to be responsible for their own table manners but in a way that would be enjoyable and motivating. I jotted down the 10 top things that I wanted my children to remind themselves of while at the table and then made a placemat with that information. Once those things were listed literally right under noses, it became natural for them to stay in check during mealtime. What’s more, they enjoyed it, which meant they were more apt to follow the rules. Over time as I shared my Mealtime Manners placemats with other families, the feedback was raving. Not only did parents love the idea but the kids loved it too! And, you know that that means? It works!”

Testing it Out

I was given the chance to review a Mealtime Manners placemat. To be honest, I was very skeptical that it would be anything more than a basic placemat that got covered up while eating. But it was definitely a lot more than that!

The package arrived right after lunch and my sons had to know what was in it. We opened it up, they asked what it was, didn’t seem too intrigued and we went back to doing what we were doing.

But as I was finishing getting dinner on the table, my six year old asked if he could use the placemat (which had actually slipped my mind). He excitedly set it at his place and then went and washed his hands, without me asking him to!

Mealtime Manners 001

Then at dinner, he just kept amazing me with everything he was doing. He asked me for a napkin, instead of using his shirt (a habit I’ve been trying to break for a couple years now)! He asked me how my day was! I was almost convinced of it’s effectiveness. I just wasn’t sure how long the interest would last. But it’s been almost a week now, and my 3 older boys aruge discuss who’s turn it is to use the placemat. Now I’m completely convinced it works!

This placemat is a great way to help your child learn great table manners and be responsible for it themselves. No more nagging! My boys love it! I love it! And I’m sure you will too!

Mealtime Manners 002

These placemats were also reviewed by Kelli here.

Buy One! You can buy one at The MommyMD Guides for only $4.99!

Win One! You can win one placemat (has both the boy and girl sides).

REQUIRED: Tell me the biggest problem you have at meal time with your kids. (I bet this placemat can help )

BONUS ENTRY #1: Request Suzy’s friendship on Facebook. Let her know we sent you.

BONYS ENTRY #2: Follow Suzy on Twitter.

Other Bonus Entries:

1. Follow this blog.

2. Subscribe to the RSS feed.

3. Follow Kelli on twitter.

4. Fave Kelli on Technorati.

5. Put the 3 Boys and a Dog Button on your blog. (Make sure I know where to find it.)

6. Spread the word about this review by email, forums, blogging, twitter, Digg or putting the link in a meme. One entry per thing done and make sure to leave the link.

7. Leave a comment on any other post – excluding giveaways – and let me know which one.

This giveaway will end on Friday November 27, 2009. Good luck!!