I started nannying with a new family not too long ago. The kids do not learn proper table manners because they eat alone and when they go to bed the parents eat their dinner together.

They talk with food in their mouth, jump around in their seats with food in their mouth, eat with their fingers, get up from the table whenever they want, and throw a fit if they have to eat anything they did not specifically ask for or have to finish their lunch in general.

WORST OF ALL they obnoxiously and loudly chew with their mouth open. It’s honestly the most disgusting and irritating thing ever. I have to ask remind them to chew with their mouths closed a million times and they still do not listen to me. I took them to the movies the other week and people were actually staring because they were chewing their popcorn so loudly you could hear it clearly over the movie if you were sitting around them.

I just don’t know what to do about this anymore. How can I teach them? How can I improve their table manners? It’s hard when the parents don’t care to work towards it. Any suggestions?

(I’m sorry if I am offending anyone - in my family we were always taught table manners and to chew with our mouths closed)