I suppose I should love to eat at the dinner table with all our children, but I just do not. Is there any unwritten mommy rule that you have to eat at a dinner table? My husband just started this tradition because his family never ate at the table so he wants to do it with our kids. My family always ate at the table with all the 'May I be excused?' rules and I hate it. Does it make you a bad parent to not want to sit a table all together? Aren't we just as much of a family if we eat in the same vicinity like in the living room? I just do not see anything wrong with eating away from the table.
2007-10-31 08:08:18 · 36 answers · asked by spidermonkeyfingers 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Do things your way, I have lunches and the occassional dinner, like tonights pizza in the living room. The dinners are typically spent at the dinner table but it's not uptight, it's traditional. We both grew up in strict homes so with our kids, we make it a family meal and I love doing it but as I said, a dinner like tonight, just calls for sitting in the living room.
2007-10-31 08:13:12 · answer #1 · answered by Yummy♥Mummy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well during the 50's and 60's eating while watching TV was the thing to do, mostly because it was the time when TVs were just getting popular and was considered a social event. For example look at how many people watched the first moon landing, now how many people watched the Mars rovers land? Now days people are trying to get back to the family values of then at least at home. Plus the TV acts as a distraction. When people sat at the table it forced you to talk as a family and interact as a family. Now as for the rules like saying excuse me isn't necessary, but it does teach kids proper table etiquette, but if i have to go to the john, i ain't asking, I'm going. Plus Id rather hear about your day or the kids day, rather than what is on TV. This doesn't make you a bad parent, but it does help in the way you mold a child's way of thinking and interaction.
2007-10-31 08:21:24 · answer #2 · answered by HeisMe 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are at the table together, you tend to talk to each other instead of watching tv. It also helps your children learn basic table manners that they don't get eating in the living room. It also helps keep the house clean. I don't think it makes you a bad parent if you don't eat at the table, but I kind of think it is lazy not too. I also grew up in a family where we didn't eat together and now my family always eats together at the table. I guess that's why I'm siding with your husband on this one.
2007-10-31 08:51:04 · answer #3 · answered by kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I lived w/my mom...parents ate in the living room and kids at the table...when i moved to my dads we all ate at the table. My husband likes to sit at the table all the time...says it builds good family values to all eat together. Eating in the living room shouldn't be too bad..only downside is everyone is watching tv instead of sharing their days, comments and having quality family time. Maybe compromise w/him and do dinner table a few nights and living room the others...and then maybe try to play board games w/the family.
2007-10-31 08:19:21 · answer #4 · answered by shortysml 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's only good to eat at the table because this gives all of you a chance to bond.. talk about your day w/out waiting for commercials (as if you're putting American Idol top priority then your kids A+ on a test 2nd)
But yes, I see where you're coming from.
I hate sitting at the table.. lol
But then again it's just me and my 4 y/o so we sit in front of the T.V eating cereal for dinner watching cartoons all night sometimes..
so whatever makes the WHOLE family happy.
(I know there are nights that my kid tells me that she wants to sit at the table cause she doesn't want noise from the T.V (sometimes she's more grown up than me lol)
Take a vote!
2007-10-31 08:41:51 · answer #5 · answered by No stalkers allowed 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eating dinner at the table gives everyone a chance to talk and discuss their day! Kids get ENOUGH TV, without you teaching them to watch it while eating!!! Take an interest in your children and what they spend their day doing, get to know who their friends are and let them know what you are doing. Just because you hated it, does not mean you need to turn your children off to eating at the table together, just don't make sitting at the table as stiff as it was for you! NO WATCHING TV IS NOT BEING A FAMILY LIKE SITTING TOGETHER AT THE TABLE IS!!
2007-10-31 08:27:51 · answer #6 · answered by wishiwereatthebeach 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I grew up in a family of 5, and as children, we always had dinner together at the dinner table. Looking back, I enjoyed this. I feel that it gives you a time for the family to get together as one 'unit' and all be involved with the days discussions. It will strengthen the bond that you have with your kids, as will the bond between your children.
For many years I did not have a dining room table (as odd as it sounds). Now, for the past year, I have. I enjoy getting back to having dinner at the table with out the distractions of the TV and what-not. I feel that it strengthens the family bond, and will keep the lines of communication open as your children grow older.
And it will also teach your children proper table manners when out in public, or when they get older and start dating. It's one of those small things that people pick up on.
2007-10-31 08:20:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think eating at the table is a very important thing to do. Dinner time should be about spending quality time with your family... which is hard to do with society's busy schedules. It is very important that your children learn to spend that time with you and talk about their day or etc. You can't just randomly start this when they turn 13... once you realize that you don't know anything about their lives and they are involved in the wrong crowd and you want to talk to them... start a good relationship now.
TV is WAY WAY WAY over rated and not good for anyone. It is a huge distraction and a waste of brain usage. Sitting in thes same vicinity as your family members means nothing... how much do you know about the people who ride the same train or bus as you do........... nothing really.
You don't have to make it so harsh as requesting to leave the table, but I think its important.
2007-10-31 08:20:42 · answer #8 · answered by amber 18 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you sit in the living room are you watching t.v.? If so, then it takes away from what should be a time for discussion with your family. I have four children, and even though we are extremely busy and worn out at the end of the day it gives us all a chance to share with one another the good parts and bad parts, and provides us with the comfort that being a part of a family provides. I, personally, think it strengthens the family bond and allows all of you to be involved with one another. We don't answer the phone during dinner either, it's our time to be together at least once a day, everyday. I hope this helps. Almost forgot, you stated that you don't care for all of the formalities associated with the sit-down dinner, but what a favor you are doing for your kids if you've equipped them with table manners! I've had lunch at school with my kids and was floored to witness the lack of table manners of some kids. First thing that came to my mind was lack of home training! Take care.
2007-10-31 08:20:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If we're all home, we all eat at the dinner table. The only reason for us not doing so is if someone is doing a project and using the table.
Eating together as a family at the table promotes conversation and better family communication.
But these are just my views.
2007-10-31 09:31:49 · answer #10 · answered by BoomerFamily 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋