| "I started drinking tea when my children were | | | | your regular tea time isn't so elaborate that it |
| preschool age. Somewhere along the line we | | | | becomes impractical. |
| started having Afternoon Tea together after | | | | (5) Spend the time getting to know your children |
| school. My children are now teenagers and love | | | | better. Ask what was special about their day or |
| having tea almost as much as I do."-Brenda Hyde | | | | invite them to tell you a joke. Mary Ann and |
| The typical menu for tea time seems to include | | | | Kimberly, a mother and daughter team, suggest |
| several different types of tea sandwiches, cut | | | | this conversation prompt: "Tell me something you |
| into squares or triangles (cucumber, chicken salad, | | | | want me to know about you". |
| egg salad, etc), some kind of quiche, grapes, | | | | (6) You can make reading part of the ritual, as |
| scones, cookies, cake or pie, and finally, tea! | | | | well. You can read a book together while you are |
| (1) If you have more than one child, and you | | | | enjoying your afternoon tea or right after you |
| want to share tea time with them all at once, | | | | finish. |
| make sure you also plan special times alone with | | | | If your children are older, you might want to have |
| each one. Perhaps a weekly afternoon tea for | | | | a reading time where each person reads |
| each child, separate from the regular one. | | | | separately while enjoying a cup of tea. It will still |
| (2) Give your child a personalized invitation to the | | | | be meaningful because you are doing it together. |
| first tea, and then, explain that you would like for | | | | If you start these intimate tea-time conversations |
| it to be a regular get-together. Your child will love | | | | when they are young, they will be a favorite |
| having special time with Mommy. | | | | routine as they grow older. |
| (3) Tea time is a great way to reinforce | | | | "Activities such as tea parties, reading, family |
| everything you are teaching your children about | | | | game nights and craft time will stay with them |
| manners, without them being intimidated. | | | | forever as gentle memories that will carry them |
| (4) You can have theme parties occasionally if | | | | through difficult times in their lives. Plan your tea |
| you would like. If they are younger, some great | | | | party today, and enjoy an afternoon of magic |
| ideas would be dress-up tea parties, fairy princess | | | | and whimsy with your children! |
| tea parties, etc, but you want to make sure that | | | | |