Today we were at my in-laws house for the 4th of July. My mother-in-law is one of the most gracious hostesses you will find. She seems to do everything seamlessly. I am always amazed at her skills of making everything look so easy and accommodating everyone so well. She is one of those hostesses where things just seem to get magically done. She won’t touch food until everyone else has gone through the line or been served. I’m not even sure if she eats, really. She knows what everyone who is coming likes and dislikes and tries to plan and accommodate accordingly. She is constantly checking to make sure everyone is taken care of and comfortable. She thinks of her guests before she even considers herself. Her table is always a place people enjoy both for the decor and the amazing food it holds. So today was a day of observation. Before we went there I talked to my kids about all of these hospitable characteristics of their grandma. Then, while we were there I pointed these things out while grandma was doing her thing. Kids learn best through observation anyway. The don’t do what they’re told to do. They do what they see. If you have someone that excels in a quality you are trying to teach your kids, make sure to draw attention to it with your kids so that they can see these traits acted out in real life.
