Time Out!

Dear Gala Guru,
I recently hosted a potluck at my home for a professional group, inviting members and their families. One attendee brought her husband and four children (ages 6-12), whom I had never met. While the children were generally well-behaved, I encountered a situation that left me unsure about my actions:
Two younger boys brought food into the living room, which I allowed. At one point, the father had to tell them to stop playing with their food.
Later, I noticed one of the boys continuing to play with cake and get it all over my floor. I stepped in and asked the child to stop playing with the food and eat it properly.
The child got upset by my intervention and acted out by refusing to be in a group photo despite his mother’s request.
I’m conflicted about whether I handled the situation appropriately. Was I wrong to address the child’s behavior directly?  How could I have better managed this situation while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for adults and children?
Additionally, I’m considering making future events adults-only. Is this a reasonable response, or are there better ways to ensure a positive experience for all guests, including families with children?

Time Out Needed

Dear Time Out

As the saying goes, birds sing, phones ring, and children play with their food. It’s just a fact of life and a fun part of their childhood that we should embrace. After all, there’s no other time in life when playing with your food is considered appropriate.

That being said, if you don’t want your floors to look like an abstract painting gone wrong, I would establish a containment area, such as your kitchen table, where it’s safe for children to eat. Growing up, my sisters and I always ate at the children’s table during parties, usually in the kitchen, where spills and food did not require a hazmat team.

While I may not be a parent, I have nieces and nephews, and I understand the importance of parental guidance. It’s best to leave corrections to the parents—their children, their responsibility. You can always ask a parent to step in and take control if needed. This approach supports the parents, making them the bad cops, and helps maintain a pleasant atmosphere for everyone.

As far as establishing a no-children rule at your house, it is your house and your rules!

However, I believe you can always create an enjoyable atmosphere for adults and children.

Consider the needs of your guests. You could host the event outside where kids can play and do what kids do. If the weather is not agreeable, ask the parents to bring a favorite toy or game and set indoor boundaries for a safe child zone.  In my experience, sometimes kids behave better than their adult counterparts.  After all, when was the last time you saw a toddler throw a tantrum over spilling a red wine on their new dress?

Remember, there is always a reason to celebrate!

The Gala Guru

www.thegalaguru.net