I used to dread going to restaurants with my children. They could never sit still, even if I brought books and toys or paper and crayons. After five minutes, they would want to walk around or stand in the booth and bother the nearby diners. Inevitably, in the middle of a meal, one of them always had to go to the bathroom.

Now that they're a little older, dining out is no longer quite as stressful as it used to be, but it's still not easy for them to get through an entire meal without annoying others or making a huge mess. (That's one of the reasons why I believe in generous tips.)

With Thanksgiving just a week away, I wonder if other families worry about their children's behavior at the dinner table. A recent Washington Post article, "Mind Your Manners, Please," emphasized the need for parents to teach etiquette to their kids. But does it work even with young children, especially when some holiday dinners last for more than hour?

In order to figure out how long your child can sit at the dinner table, multiply the child's age by three, Jennifer Ricciardi, director of the Lifestyle Finishing School, told the Washington Post.

So my 6-year-old might last for about 18 minutes and my 3-year-old for half that time.

What do you do at your house to teach your kids proper etiquette? How do you encourage them to sit still and behave when sitting at the dinner table?