Dinnertime Traditions in the Making by Renee Anderson
When I became a mom, I hoped to have dinner prepared and on the table every night. Unfortunately, I haven’t been very good at it. Having to work a full-time job, I am just totally exhausted. And the mere thought of preparing a dinner in the midst of an already hectic week is overwhelming. I haven’t been able to translate desire into action. Typically, I get home from work and scramble to find something to make for our son. I feed him before my husband gets home from work. Later, my husband prepares our meal while I am busy unloading the dishwasher and trying to keep our son entertained. My husband and I finally sit down to eat amongst the toddler tantrums and chaos. So, I guess it is kind of eating together.
I buy into the argument that a healthy balanced dinner with the family helps children grow into healthier people. Meals enjoyed together reinforce a host of family values and send messages to our children that they matter and that family matters. I also admire a routine part of the day where families can be together free from outside distractions and stressors. It isn’t always easy to do. As chaotic as our own dinnertime is, I have some measure of control over my child’s time right now. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that things will change once he gets older. For me, there just isn’t enough time in the day. Soon, there will be schedules to entertain and practices to adhere too. BUT, I am focused on trying to encourage this tradition when he is young. Weeknight dinners are important, and we will make it a priority to eat together. Maybe I just need to start somewhere and consider the idea of starting a Sunday night dinner tradition: spaghetti and meatballs. That way Sunday nights would be protected, and everyone would be encouraged to be home. This is a tradition I think is worth working hard for and an investment in my family that I believe matters. How about you?
What do you think? Are family dinner time traditions a thing of the past or can they work in today’s multifaceted world?
Learn more about Renee here.
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9:01 AM on October 6th, 2011
It’s so nice to read about other moms struggling with the family dinner routine. I think I’ll try the Sunday pasta dinner to get my family on that track too!
10:38 AM on October 6th, 2011
Years ago, the Sloan Foundation funded research into rituals that have a protective effect on families & children. The family meal was hands down one of the hallmarks of a good outcome for children. Food nourishes relationships as well as our bodies, and sitting down together helps to preserve time together. Time to pause and reflect, to talk loudly and be asked to talk more quietly, time to remind children to use their forks and not their hands….and time to share stories and show interest and concern.
Just this past week, the New York Times ran this story, showing family meals in all their strength and diversity, and importance.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/10/02/magazine/02-families.html?ref=magazine#1
Last night I had a meeting, Monday night, I had a meeting. Tonight my son has a football game (marching band), so as all of us opt into lives and interests, it becomes more and more important to carve out time to eat together and enjoy one another.
12:46 PM on October 6th, 2011
Oh Renee! Dinners with the family were the bane of my youthful existence, but as an adult I look back and REALLY appreciate them. We eat as a family 95% of the time for dinner, two babes under three poor things force fed whatever we are eating!! I hear ya on what to make though, especially for mamas with outside jobs too. UGH. (Or Dads, lets not stereotype…like your great hubby, they can make food too.) I’m trying Once a Month Cooking this month with a friend to make it easier. I use my crock pot once or twice a week, and the artisan bread in five minutes a day has rocked my culinary world this year. I love to cook, but with the two bitties it isn’t as enjoyable or easy as before. But I sure still have a glass of wine while I am in the kitchen! LOL.