I remember Well, as a child that it was expected that when any meal was ready, everyone was to sit at the table. We had a large family and we all squashed so tightly on that small homemade dinner table. Nobody ever tasted any of the food until it was blesses. My father and my brothers always wore caps but they never wore them in the house or at the table. It just was not allowed. It was a matter of respect. We always shared stories and talked about our day as we sit at that table. The dinner table was a place to share and learn about out family. It brought us closer as a family because we got to know each other better. We were always a close knit family. If you picked on one of us, you had all of us to deal with.
When I got married, my husband was not used to eating at table as a family but I really thought that it was important so he agreed. We raised out daughters to eat every meal at the dinner table as a family. The TV and radio was always turned off when it was meal time. There were no distractions. We turned off the bell on the telephone. Meal time was family time. Like it was in my parents household, it was a time to share and get to know each other. Like my parents, brothers, sister and me, we were a close knit family.
Now our daughters are grown , married with a family of their own. My oldest daughter has two toddlers of her own and they have kept up with that tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. The tradition of being at the dinner table together as a family. They are doing the same things that we did and the things that my husband and I taught them. They are sharing and becoming closer as a family.
I have a lot of fond memories of meal times. I still think of it as a happy time. A time to share and show love and respect for those we love most in our lives, our family. I have gained strength from having meals as a family. I gained strength by knowing that I had the support of my family. I knew they would be there if I needed them.
Now that it is just me and my husband at home, we still eat all meals at the dinner table together. I still enjoy the time to share and talk. I know that it strengthens our relationship just as it did when our children were at home.
Today, I tell people one of the best ways to insure that your family will be close is to have all meals together as a family with no distractions. I believe this with all my heart.
Do you have meals with your family at the dinner table?
Do you have all distractions taken away while you eat?
Do you think it brings families closer to have meals together?
Please share you stories with me. I would love to know how other families have been brought closer together. My family is the most important thing to me. I want to be with them forever because I love them.
How can all family members benefit from having meals together? Well, According to Parent Magazine, May 1999 “Family culture is created and values are established. Children develop a strong sense of belonging which reduces the chances of drug and alcohol abuse.
That is a pretty strong statement and something that I think all parents want for their children.
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Comments: 50
You gave me something to really think about. Thank you.
Now, with my family, we DO eat together each night, and usually at the table.
I hope you will begin a tradition of eating together, after the baby is born. Good luck to you and your family.
It is hard to not have any distractions in todays society.
That is great that you do eat together, even if you eat out. Good for you and your husband
I have clean laundry on my table right now. LOL I really should be in there folding it and putting it up........but instead I am in the living room on Gather. LOL
I am glad that you and your family do have meals together. I am sorry that your parents divorced when you were so young. That must have been really difficult for you.
Good for you and your family for having meals together on sunday.
My parents both worked so we didn't have dinner at their table; except when they were able to be home.
For me I get caught up on what is going with my kids and get to hear about the ups and downs of being a teen these days.
Thanks for your comment. My Grandmother used to churn butter while she had company. She would sit ther and churn while she was talking. LOL
It is great that you have fond memories of the days when you did have meals together.
Do you have all distractions taken away while you eat? Almost always, especially lately.
Do you think it brings families closer to have meals together? Yes, because it's a place to unwind and share your day.
Growing up we always ate at the dining room table but most times it was just us kids. My mother & stepfather were either working or at school most of the time. There were times we all ate together though. I think any way to bond as a family is a good thing.
So, we eat in the living room, but we do eat at the same time as each other.
Do you think that it brings your family closer together when you eat meals together?
What kind of cages do you have?
Do you eat on the couch or do you have a table set up in the living room?
I agree that family is very important. We always tried to be close and made sure to spend lots of quaility time as a family.
What kind of cages do you have?
Do you eat on the couch or do you have a table set up in the living room?
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I have a 4-level degu cage and another 10-gallon tank with my frog in it on the kitchen table. We do not have a table in the living room (except the one used as a desk for this PC I'm on) due to space (We live in a mobile home, and it's rather cramped for space at times)
We eat on the couch and recliner.. since the couch, also is cramped for more than two people at a time. Sometimes I'm also here at this table, depending. If my mother is online or I'm finishing work I might be here as well. It's always different, but we are in the same room and pretty close proximity to one another.
Dinners around my maternal grandparents table were always wonderful, though. No one yelled at us there, or my grandfather would give 'em what-for. We always felt safe at my grandparents table.
Married a second man who HATED eating at a table. UGH.
Divorced again and for the last two years me, Hubby, and our 4 children ALWAYS eat at the table together and I love the bonding time it adds to our family.
There are those nights that Hubby is working or whatever, but for the most part we eat as a family and will continue to do so for as long as possible. I aleady told my 9 year old that it is very important and when she goes to see friends she has to be home for dinner.
I would love to see family dinning return, but I am now one that gets my meal in the kitchen and carries to my living room, sits in my lazy boy, and watches news, sports, or something else while I eat. So much for the past.
We lived in a 10 X 50 trailor for 20 years. I dont think they even make them that small anymore. There were me, my husband and two daughters. I know all about not having any room. Trailers are hard to live in.
I am so sorry that your Father felt the need to yell at dinner time. I can see how you would have dreaded it.
It would be terrible to have to eat by yourself so much. When I am alone, I often forget to eat. LOL
Itnt it great to all eat together. I just love it
With all the different schedules family members have it can be very difficult
Sounds like you finally got a winner this time. Enjoy your meals at the table.
I think that eating at the table is a thing of the past for most families but I am a firm believer that it has many benefits for the family unit.
We do cut corners sometime in our home. We sometimes watch a movie together at dinner time instead of kitchen table.
We did a lot of our catching up on one anothers' days during dinner and many a deep talk and/or good teaching moment sprung from those conversations. One of our traditions during school was that each child told one new thing they learned in school that day..they could not repeat a subject that week..so one night it was one new math thing the next night one new history..etc.
Now it's just my husband and son and I and we have found that all of us still prefer dinner at the table together.
I do think it brings people closer together so long as everyone's all 'there' meaning no phone calls, no tv, no other outside distractions.
I totally agree with you
I treasure the time that our family spends at the table together. It is such a bonding experience. Good luck
I think that years ago it was a way to show respect for your mother by being quiet at the dinner table. I am so glad that we, as a family realized the importance of sharing of our day with each other. It is such a great way to bond. I am glad that you are able to enjoy the dinner table at least a few times a week with your family.
Do you think it brings you closer together as a family??
Thanks for your comment. I belive that eating together as a family can make alot of difference. Good for you.