Are there families out there who actualy do sit down and eat dinner together and talk about their day?

Question

Or have work,restaurants,microwave ovens,among other things,made it impossible to do so.

Answer 1

Yes there is and we enjoy our supper nights and we all try 3 or 4 times a week to get together and listen to each other about good times and bad.

Answer 2

Yes. We have a rule in our house that we must have dinner together at least once during the week and once (breakfast, lunch or dinner) during the weekend. We have a process that we do that really works well for us:

First, we go around the table and each person mentions something that happened that day that was "bad." This allows us to enter into compassion with one another, and whether it's the 16 year old saying, "Aaron and I had a fight" or the 4-year old saying, "I fell off my bike," each person has something that means a lot to them.

Next, we do the same thing but with our "good" thing of the day. This allows us to celebrate with each other and reinforce good behavior.

After this, the family "meeting" begins, with us first talking about the rules of the house and is everyone being accountable for their chores, homework, promises made, etc. Our children have as much input into this as we parents do. It's not about command and control, but about our entire family having input and empowerment into the workings of the house. Sometimes we have to crack down on them for skirting chores, and other times they have to remind us of promises we made, such as "last week you said we'd go get ice cream and we never did." So, this is a positive thing for everyone.

By this time, everyone is comfortable talking and the table just opens up to whatever needs to be discussed. Things such as my wife and I telling our childhood stories or our children telling us a funny story from school. This can also be a time where things come out that you might not be ready for, such as an admission of skipping class or feeling ready to "go further" with their boyfriend, etc. You just have to remember that they are people too with things that matter to them as much as things that matter to us.

Finally, when we're done, we usually play a family game. We'll play something like Chutes and Ladders, and the put on a video or something for the 4-year old so the rest of us can play something a little more challenging like Scrabble or Balderdash. You'll find that doing this really strengthens everyone's participation in the family, as well as creates a healthiness you are probably wishing you had right now. Good luck!!!

Answer 3

You know that is a VERY good question for someone to ask.

Truthfully? Not in our household sad to say. Although I know there are a lot of families out there trying to keep a traditional stance on family dinners. I think it's great for familes to sit all together at a table and enjoy a nice meal over good conversation between the entire family.

One of the biggest reasons this tradition has fallen from modern times is basically a blame on TV. Kids now prefer to pile up with their plate of food in front of a TV ,rather than talk at the table. But its not just the kids , parents do it too . I can't recall a Thanksgiving here at this home where my dad didn't leave the table within 3minutes to watch Football or having everyone just disperse. It's really kinda sad. The last dinner I remember everyone sitting down to was just this random improptu turkey dinner with my parents, my uncle, and my brother with his family. It was quite peaceful and nice for a change, sadly that one was time out of a 1000.

Answer 4

Yes, there are some. We did when the kids were still at home, at least 5 out of 7 nights. And yes, allowances were made for dates, school evens, etc. I still do not allow a television to be on during dinner. Hubby & I discuss our day, remodeling projects, whatever, with the stereo on for a lovely background sound. We actually do not even HAVE a television downstairs, only in the upstairs sitting area.

Answer 5

I think what's made it difficult in the US, especially with families of school aged children, is the myriad of activities that the children are involved with. But, I think that if you make it a priority in your family, you can make it happen. Our family has 2 nights a week that my kids do not have any activities scheduled, and we eat dinner together on those nights. I wish it could be every night, but that's impossible. But, as a mother, I have to sometimes really fight a good battle to keep those 2 nights free. I'm talking about explaining to school teachers, coaches, theater directors, etc., that this night is SACRED in my house, and taking a little flack for it. But to me, it's worth it in the long run.

Answer 6

The last kid left home 5 years ago - but while there were kids at home, we sat down to a home-cooked family meal and conversation every night (amd yes, I worked full-time). When my kids brought their friends home, a lot of them were surprised that we did this. One college friend said, "Your family dinner sounds like the McNeil-Lehrer Report!" True, sometimes a sports event or other activity interfered, but that was rare. I think enjoying a meal and sharing thoughts once a day is crucial to keeping a family united.

Answer 7

Yes, we do at least 4 or 5 times a week. It's important to me for my children to know that I care and I do want to hear about their day. I don't think it's ever impossible to put my family first and family dinners are one of those important times in our day. Family is the most important thing in life, love them with a passion, you never know when they will be taken from you.

Answer 8

Yes their is!!!! We are one of them, we enjoy having dinner together and talking about our day.. Sometimes families are too busy to enjoy a dinner together and communicate. But I think everyone should do it at least ounce a weak.. It brings the family closer, I mean we don't do it every day because like everyone else our life's are so busy but we try to do it at least 2 to 3 times a weak. I think family is more important than anything in the world . But that is just my opinion!!!!!!

Answer 9

That is custome that you should start parcticing since children are little, when they grow up, they would see it as a normal good practice in the household.

When you make it a point, that and other things are possible in a family.

In my family we actually do that. We talk about everything, we even joke around about how horrible the food tastes.

Whe you parents practice this, the likelyhood of your children becoming trouble makers is almost 0.

Answer 10

My best friend and her husband have family dinners every night with their 3 children. Two of the kids are in junior high & the other is a toddler. They turn of the tv, sit down & talk.