When I first started my family (Umm……..that would be 21 years ago now), I was a young mother and read everything I could about parenting.  I had all of the magazines and devoured each one.  I read a lot of great advice that I have used for each of my children and I also read a lot of nonsense advice that was used on my oldest and then quickly disappeared.  One thing that I read over and over was the importance of the family dinner.

I have held on to that advice like my life depended on it.  Why?  I don’t know……….maybe because it’s good advice.  Family dinners are a good time to reconnect with your family.  These are the people that I love the most in the world………it sure is nice to talk to them once in a while.  I love to hear about their days and find out what matters to them.  I love to talk about food (big surprise there) and laugh at their jokes.  I just love to see their faces…….even when they are covered with food.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the importance of FAMILY.  Sure, I spend a lot of time with my kids.  I watch their practices; I take them to their friends’ birthday parties; and I am actively involved with Girl Scouts and the music program at the high school.  What I have come to realize is that there really isn’t any “family” time in that.  What I mean is time for all of the family members to come together and interact with each other without outside distractions.  Don’t get me wrong……. me being at my child’s football games and dance classes is important to them, but I still think we need that “family” time.

Family dinners are a great time to grab some of that family time.  The meals don’t have to be gourmet and you can set whatever time works for your family……..even if it is family breakfast.  We did that for a while.  We eat our family dinners quite late right now, but a few snacks get us there.  We tend to change our schedules depending on the sports season.  I’m willing to be flexible in order to keep my family dinners.

I encourage you to put family dinners on your schedule.  The time you spend together with your family, just may be your favorite part of the day.  I know it is for me.

Do you celebrate family dinners with any special traditions?  Who sets the table in your family?  Who does the dishes?  How often do you eat together as a family?

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