I hope some of the younger families will take advantage of your wisdom filled post. Eating meals together on a regular basis is such a good way to build strong family bonds.
I have thought about this through the years. I am sorry you did not have the chance to have the privacy you needed. I remember, as a kid, we did eat dinner together. I can't say I have particularly fond memories. Some were good, and some that were not so good. So, when I had a family of my own, we would go out for a snack after school bc my kids did not like their lunches no matter what I did. By dinner time, my kids were so picky that they would not eat, and we gave up all sitting at the table. We did on special Occations and when we went out for dinner. I need to ask them about their memories of dinners.
Thanks for your thoughtful response Karen. It can be a complicated issue. I also do not have fond memories of the experience for many reasons.....
Having kids that are picky eaters are tough as well.
I think most of us really do the best we can with what we know at the time. Of course if I were to parent again I would do things very differently, but I also give myself grace because I was coping the best I could at the time.
I love the thought provoking scenarios ’ you raise.I have really thought about this for a while. In the 50s and 60s we idealized the family sitting around the dinner table. I would imagine some families would do better than others and every night would not be the same.
I grew up where my dad would always have us sit as a family. He made it a priority and I'm glad he did. It taught me the importance of togetherness and bonding. There were times where I didnt want to be there but im glad he did.
I like this post a lot. I remember my parents always made the effort to get us together for both lunch and dinner. We also had the tradition that every Saturday was Pizza Night.
Several decades later, I know my two older siblings are still having meals together with their kids. And I usually kept having lunch with my parents.
I hope some of the younger families will take advantage of your wisdom filled post. Eating meals together on a regular basis is such a good way to build strong family bonds.
Thank you Tom, you are too kind.
I have thought about this through the years. I am sorry you did not have the chance to have the privacy you needed. I remember, as a kid, we did eat dinner together. I can't say I have particularly fond memories. Some were good, and some that were not so good. So, when I had a family of my own, we would go out for a snack after school bc my kids did not like their lunches no matter what I did. By dinner time, my kids were so picky that they would not eat, and we gave up all sitting at the table. We did on special Occations and when we went out for dinner. I need to ask them about their memories of dinners.
Thanks for your thoughtful response Karen. It can be a complicated issue. I also do not have fond memories of the experience for many reasons.....
Having kids that are picky eaters are tough as well.
I think most of us really do the best we can with what we know at the time. Of course if I were to parent again I would do things very differently, but I also give myself grace because I was coping the best I could at the time.
I love the thought provoking scenarios ’ you raise.I have really thought about this for a while. In the 50s and 60s we idealized the family sitting around the dinner table. I would imagine some families would do better than others and every night would not be the same.
You are too kind Karen. Appreciate you!
Thank you so much I appreciate and enjoy you.
I grew up where my dad would always have us sit as a family. He made it a priority and I'm glad he did. It taught me the importance of togetherness and bonding. There were times where I didnt want to be there but im glad he did.
Thanks for this wonderful reminder, Gabi! 🙏🏼
That is great your dad placed a priority on that. If he's still around, you should tell him that. :)
Yesss he's still around!
It would probably mean alot of if you told him.
I like this post a lot. I remember my parents always made the effort to get us together for both lunch and dinner. We also had the tradition that every Saturday was Pizza Night.
Several decades later, I know my two older siblings are still having meals together with their kids. And I usually kept having lunch with my parents.
That is so awesome that they valued this. I LOVE your Sat. night tradition of pizza.
Haha yeah. I was a tasty one :p
It's not that common for the past 4 years but we try to do it when we get together.
I agree with this and now see how important it was for my parents to insist on family meals every day.
Isn't it cool to see their wisdom in hindsight, even if it might have seemed otherwise as a kid?
Definitely. Also, they were raised this way, that was the only way they knew. And I'm forever grateful for that.
Really sounds so amazing.
As a kid my family used to eat meals at the dining room table, now we sit in the living room while watching tv. Not the same.
Interesting how it changes isn't it? Thanks for sharing Stephen!