Does your family eat at least one meal a day together? And I mean sitting at a table — not perched in front of the television.
This may sound like something from the Leave It to Beaver days, but the Robertson clan (think Duck Dynasty) has brought it back in style.
As simple as it sounds, eating a meal together can benefit a family in so many ways. Eating together improves communication and builds stronger relationships. Studies also show that in families who eat together regularly, children do better in school setting them up for a better life as teens and adults. It also helps families to be more nutritious and teaches children the importance of eating their fruits and vegetables (www.families.com).
Eating a meal together can be like trying to get the moon and stars to align perfectly. Maybe dad has to work late, your teenager has an evening job, your child has baseball practice or your baby eats at varied times.
Life happens, which means we as moms and dads have to get creative. There is no family rulebook that says your meal together has to be dinner. Maybe your family meal is breakfast, lunch, or even a late night snack. It doesn’t matter what or when you are eating – as long as you have a reason to sit together face-to-face and communicate.
If your baby or toddler eats earlier than everyone else, put her in the high chair and pull it up to the table to be part of the family during mealtime. A few toys or some Cheerios should keep the peace for a little while.
Lately, our family’s challenge has been working around sports practices and games. Sometimes we eat early, sometimes late, and sometimes it simply doesn’t work to all eat together. Even if a member of our family has to eat later or earlier than everyone else, I try to make sure that another family member (or members) is available to sit down and “be” with them while they eat.
Creating quality family time is hard work, and I hope that your family finds time to get together around something as simple as the dinner table.
Anne Blankenbiller
K-12 & Teens
Most of my mornings, afternoons, and evenings are spent driving the kids here and there—and then back to here again. Every child is a gift on loan from God. As parents, our job is to raise that child to be an independent adult who can contribute to the world using the gifts and talents he or she was given. It is hands-down the most important job on earth!
