“Among the social institutions that may not survive into the twenty-first century, the family meal must certainly be near the top of the list. Our schedules pull us away from the table and each other, and fast foods invite us to eat on the run, stopping just long enough to fuel up between one activity and the next. And, as any mother who has raced home to cook dinner for her family knows all too well, we often put out far more than we get back. Is it worth all the effort it requires to shop, make a meal, and get it on the table, only to be met by children’s upturned noses, adolescents’ complaints, and somebody shouting that they don’t have time to eat as they head out the door? Is this ritual really worth preserving after all?” –page 123
Tell me I’m not the only one who’s felt that way! This actually just happened to me recently. After battling my children over breakfast and lunch, I picked a dinner I knew would surely be a winner. I mean, they’d devoured it before, so it had to work, right? Um, wrong. Two upturned noses and even my little guy only ate a few bites. At that moment, I thought: “Is this really worth all the effort?” In my heart, I know it is, so I continue to plow on through, even on the rough nights.
“…our sons and daughters learn the hearth’s powerful lessons right here, in their own homes, at their own tables. When we honor our human need for nourishment, both physical and spiritual, we teach our children respect for their bodies and for themselves. When we practice mindfulness ourselves, our children become more mindful.” –page 134-135
Need some encouragement or inspiration for family dinner? Check out these links:
- The Importance of the Family Dinner (and a recipe for Chicken and Noodles!)
- Book: The Hour that Matters Most: The Surprising Power of the Family Meal
- A fun (and free!) printable activity to keep everyone talking at the table: Family Dinner Questions
- Book: The Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids, One Meal at a Time
