Parents of 3 or more kids...how often do you all sit down together for dinner?

Question

I find it so difficult lately,with practices,etc.My kids are 7,11,12,and 15.

Answer 1

My kids are younger than yours...7, 5, and 9 months. We are just getting into the practice and activity craziness. I still try to have us all sit down together as much as possible. Right now, I'd say its about 4-6 times per week, depending on what is going on.
My goal as they get older is to have at least one night per week where we all sit together. I think its important, and gives everyone a chance to catch up with each other.

Answer 2

I have six children 15,12,8,8,6,and 4. We have practices and or games almost every night. We eat together on the run, but we talk. I listen. On the weekends we sit down, but this is not the age that I grew up in. My Dad worked and my Mom stayed home. Besides baseball we didn't play sports until highschool. Times have changed and we need to make the best of it.

My children know that I love them, I need them, and that I would do anything for them even at Applebee's curbside to go.

:)

Answer 3

I am a mother of 4 and my husband works rotating shifts. We sit down together for dinner every night. Weather it is a home cooked meal or McDonald's. I think that it is a important part of family time. Now that my kids are older, they don't want to eat dinner unless we are all at the table together.

Answer 4

I have 3 boys ages 16,12 and 9. One is on the cross country team, one in band, and one in choir. We sit down as a family every night for dinner, unless one is sleeping over at a friend's. We started when were were married, and when my youngest was 5 he drew a picture of our family, at the dinner table. It was obviously important to him even at that young age. We have so much fun, we laugh and joke and my husband and I talk about our day at work and the kids talk about school. We all have busy days, but on those days I prepare a meal a day in advance or make something really quick and easy like tacos or something. Sometimes I'll bake a lasagna on a Sunday to have later that week, or make double of something and freeze half. There's nothing more important that having that connection time. It's a habit now, but my children also know it's mandatory. They have never complained.

Answer 5

I have a 6 yr old, 4 yr old twins, a 3 yr old, a 2 yr old, and now I am pregnant with another. We sit down to dinner every night. I start cooking at around five so it will be ready be the time their dad gets home, at six. Sometimes we go out to eat.

Try having them help you set the table, and make TV off limits. Start a conversation that lasts through dinner!

Good luck!!!!!!!1

Answer 6

no what you mean! i have 4 boys 10 , 9, 8 & 1, it is difficult, most of the time it is just me and the boys that sit down to eat at the table, their dad comes in later,and he eats, i guess you got to organize a little so it will work better for you. good luck

Answer 7

We sit down and eat together every night. My children are younger then yours 8/5/3.

Answer 8

i have 2 kids, we never sit together to eat, i feel horrible

Answer 9

in my family we dont eat together