Dinner Time Is More Than Just A Time To Eat

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I wonder how many parents reading this have dinner with their children at a table together….

When I was a kid we ate dinner at the same time, but not at the table together too often. I either ate at the table alone, or everyone ate in front of the tv. So, I grew up thinking that the families on tv who ate dinner at a table together were so cute. The table being set and not just for decoration. All the food in serving dishes and everyone saying, “can you pass me this or that”? Everyone eating and talking and catching up on each other’s day. I always said that once I had kids we would do dinner the “tv family” way.

Now that I do have kids, 10 year old Danielle and 6 year old Daela, we sit and eat dinner together almost every night. The only time we don’t is if we are having a pizza night and watching a movie. Otherwise I cook dinner, put the food in serving dishes, and we sit together and eat. It’s literally the highlight of all our day. We have some of the best conversations. And definitely some of the funniest. Doing this has also made that first 10 minutes that they are home from school so calm. All parents of school aged kids know that first 10 minutes when your kid gets in your presence after not seeing you all day can be so hectic. They want to get out every little thing that has been on their mind all day. And if it’s more than one kid, then it’s really a non-stop talk fest because they are trying to out talk each other. It can cause immediate irritation and all you want to do is ask your questions and get everyone settled into the days next events. Dinner at the table has changed the after-school chaos into pure excitement…on my half for sure! My girls get home and they say hello mom. They start to take their coats and shoes off all while I ask them if they have homework. Whether they do or not depends on the next step. We either do homework together or they grab a snack and head up to their room to play. That’s it. No loudness…no fighting for attention or trying to over talk the other. Just peaceful.

Once at dinner, we pray and pass the food around, so everyone can make their plate. As we start to eat we go around the table giving everyone a chance to talk about whatever they’ve had on their mind all day. They tell me all the things their pure little minds can think of. I have never enjoyed elementary school gossip so much. By the time we’ve all shared our day, everyone is done eating and we clear the table together.

I don’t know if it’s really having dinner together or if it’s just giving everyone their own moment to talk, but whatever it is, it’s surely working. This is something we will continue to do as a family, and I hope they take with them when they are parents too. Family is important. And peace and tranquility help keep a happy home. Whether you think I’m wrong or right, it’s Simply My Insight….

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