Eating together

[FervidPrincess]

How often do you sit down and eat a meal together as a family? That would mean all family members present at any meal during the day. I was just curious if families do this every day or not.

My family eats dinner together every day during the week at the dinner table, but on the weekends...it's every man (and woman) for themselves.

Just curious...if you care to share.

 

[msjones21]

When I was growing up, there were so many of us (with my gramma living in our house and having two younger siblings) and my dad worked late most nights so we all ate at different times. My mother always cooked, but we would reheat leftovers as we came home. Now we sit down and eat together as a family on Sundays. I really cherish that time with my family.

 

[lucypevensie]

Not every day, but most days. I love it when we sit together to eat. It's so mouch more peaceful than when everyone fends for themselves.

 

[Dr Kimble]

My family and I sit down together to dinner every night, unless something comes up. It is very nice, but we see each other most all of the day, except school times anyways. I think being with your family and sharing stories and laughter are great.

 

[mamaneenie]

I would love to be able to sit down with my husband and son at the same time and eat together. The problem is, our son is only 2, I find that he doesn't seem to be able to last without dinner past 5:30. No matter what I do, if I give him a snack at 4:30, or something and make him hold out until 6:30, that doesn't always work, he has a belly full of fruit and yoghurt and wont' eat his veg.

If I give him dinner early, he is happy to let my husband and I eat together, and he just plays in the background. Sometimes I let him have something for dessert while we are eating our dinner.

I would love to be able to eat every night as a family, but sometimes it is too hard. We do eat together on the weekends though.

 

[luvjc]

*sighs*

Growing up, my family always turned off the TV and radio and we all sat in the kitchen to eat together. (Mom, Dad & us 4 kids). It was the one time of the day when everyone was together and we would laugh and joke and talk about our day and what not. They are some of the BEST memories of my childhood.

I have tried to instill this in my home (Me, DH and 3 kids) - but DH just doesn't go for it. Most times, we eat together and in the same room - but the TV is on and the kids are pretty much told to be quiet. That is when DH is home.

He works evenings, so on the nights when he is NOT home, the kids and I will eat together and talk. If they are at their friend's house during the day, I always require them to be home in time for dinner.

 

[Krystina661]

I've always wanted my family to be that way.. just sit down and eat dinner together every night lol. Most of my childhood I grew up as an only child and never remember having family dinners. Guess we were always busy, my Parents owned a gift store, and never home. These days I'm a single parent and have dinner with my son every night if that counts

 

[FervidPrincess]

I think its great that everyone that has replied either eats together on a regular basis or at least makes an attemp. One of the reason I asked was ...we have always ate together as a family and my oldest daughter will be driving and getting a job in a little over a year. I know she will be working sometimes after school and have other activities with friends and such, I just hope that we can still eat dinner as a family more often than not. we have a good time at the table, we laugh and share our day with each other. I have read before that most families are too busy to eat together. I just dont want to end up being one of those families that get too busy. Thanks for everyones reply.

 

[PreacherJoe]

Just about every day my wife, myself, and our five children sit at our table pray and each lunch and supper together. My wife homeschools so the kids are there for lunch and being a pastor I cook lunch most days if I'm at home.

 

[sioleabha]

My kids all sit down and eat every meal together, but I don't always eat with them. I should. I just get aggravated because when I sit with them they want to talk to me instead of eating, and I end up having to sit at the table for 20 minutes after I am done with my food because they are still talking instead of eating.

I understand that they love me and want my attention, but I get so bored and I just want to get up!

Any suggestions?

 

[Evening Mist]

My kids all sit down and eat every meal together, but I don't always eat with them. I should. I just get aggravated because when I sit with them they want to talk to me instead of eating, and I end up having to sit at the table for 20 minutes after I am done with my food because they are still talking instead of eating.

I understand that they love me and want my attention, but I get so bored and I just want to get up!

Any suggestions?

Gosh, I do know what you mean! Also, when they are eating they are occupied, and it is very tempting to use that time to get stuff done.

I've tried to give myself permission to do this for 2 meals a day, and I try to make an effort to sit down with them for one meal. Also, I *do* go ahead and excuse myself to start cleaning up after a reasonable amount of time has passed. I don't sit and wait for them to finish. I really think that would be expecting too much of myself!

 

[sioleabha]

Also, I *do* go ahead and excuse myself to start cleaning up after a reasonable amount of time has passed. I don't sit and wait for them to finish. I really think that would be expecting too much of myself!

Do you think it's fair to do that when I make them sit together until everyone is done? I do that because they are all required to clear the table, and I don't want the one person left to get stuck doing it alone.

I wonder, maybe I could set a timer for 30 minutes, and anyone who is done can get up at that time, as long as they come back to clear the table?

 

[Evening Mist]

Do you think it's fair to do that when I make them sit together until everyone is done? I do that because they are all required to clear the table, and I don't want the one person left to get stuck doing it alone.

I wonder, maybe I could set a timer for 30 minutes, and anyone who is done can get up at that time, as long as they come back to clear the table?

We have no such rule. When someone is finished, they are welcome to put their plate in the sink and go on to other activities. Sometimes the kids will bring a small toy the table if they want to keep company longer -- but it is their choice.

However, I can understand why some families prefer to maintain more structure.

I think the 30 minute timer is a great idea! If your children are all reasonably capable of sitting that long. For instance, I would not expect a young toddler to sit still for 30 minutes.

Just an idea -- but I thought I'd share, that I also find it helpful to ask my children for feedback before instituting a rule like that. For issues that are not related to morality or safety, I find it boosts their sense of value and teaches them to be family oriented if I include them in brainstorming for ideas. KWIM? So I might say, "I'm thinking we need a change. How long do you think our family should agree to sit at the table together?" and just kind of see what they have to say.