CB,
I like your idea of feeding kids even before asking the guys to come and have their food. I usually have segregated dinners.... so the guys go first then the ladies and the kids and for the kids I make them sit on the floor ...yes you read it right.... we get these plastic sheets on a roll that can be pulled apart ... I put two of thme and make all the kids sit on them and eat in peace....
at dinner parties mothers can't be bothered to take care of their kids so guess what I am not having them sit on my sofas with plates in their hands...
Another thing I do ... is get plastic dinner plates, dessert plates, and glasses.. I don't care if it is rude but families with kids have this coz my dinnerware isn't enough and I really don't want heavy plates in kids' hands....plus all I have to do is throw stuff away without being grossed out about picking bones or clearing off plates...and a single person can use 3 glasses if they want...less washing afterwards....
I think next time I am gonna do that as well give the food to the person who has left it in their plate but prob is that I am so busy running around that i don't know who has left what....
Did you guys ever notice how kids get hyper after having desserts.....or soft drinks....