I thought I'd pass along this family "tradition" for those of you with babies and who, thereby, haven't had a "sit down" dinner in well over 9 months! This trick is really quite simple, but may sound a bit peculiar. The secret to keeping a fussy baby quiet during mealtime (you know, the baby who is demanding more food, or a different food, or your food, or no food at all)... pass him or her a chewed up corn cob. Yes, you heard right! I said a corn cob--a chewed up one! And if you follow this advice, you are certain to have peace and quiet for the rest of the meal!
Okay... let me explain.
This old school "tradition" was actually started by my Grandpa H. years ago. When I was a little girl, we'd sometimes go over for "supper" (as Gma Lori always called it), and because we didn't get to go all that often, it would always be special! Grandpa would be out grilling some delicious BBQ ribs in the side yard, while the electric ice cream churner would be on the back patio grinding away. Most of the other adults would be sitting on lawn chairs with a glass (or a jar) of iced tea, or chit-chatting in the kitchen. As for me, I was usually busy in the graveled drive way, playing with the rocks. When it was finally time to sit down to eat, we'd all be hungry and ready for the meal.
Of course, anyone with a young baby knows that there really isn't any such thing as a "sit down meal" when you are constantly getting up to attend to the needs of a hungry baby. Thus, the chewed-up corn cob method was born. They'd pass one to my little brother (who was about one at the time), and he'd be as quiet as a mouse, just gnawing away on what was left. And they, in turn, could actually enjoy a dinner with the family!
At any rate, while my family was in town a few weeks back, we were reminiscing about such things over dinner. Elizabeth, however, was making it difficult to have a conversation, much less a meal, of our own. So, after quickly finishing a corn cob, I passed it over to Elizabeth. And it worked just as well as it did with my baby brother 20 years ago!
I know it sounds a bit strange... but it really works! She was content to just look and feel the cob for a good twenty minutes, almost in shock to the thing we just handed her. Likewise, she was content for another twenty minutes to gum and suck on it. For those of you with a calculator, this meant mom and dad actually got to eat a full dinners worth without a peep!
So if you want to enjoy a dinner with family and friends from time to time... a true "sit down dinner"... then follow this old school advice... and all will be well!
