How important is it to you to sit down at a table and have a family meal?

1. 75

   lifeonthestoopposted 13 years ago

   How important is it to you to sit down at a table and have a family meal?
   
   What are some of the benefits of families eating together at a table as opposed to sitting on the couch or everyone eating their own thing?  Do you feel that it helps in the feelings of self esteem if families share not only meals but conversation and events of the day?  Do you remember the days when families had specific times for meals and enjoying foods which were prepared by your mother or maybe even grown in the family garden. Can just the smell of certain foods trigger warm memories?  Are our children being deprived of those wonderful memories due to the decline of Family meals?

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2. 99

   mary615posted 13 years ago

   I think it's very important for families to eat dinner together.  That is not possible for all families as some have different schedules.  We have always eaten dinner together.  That's when we talk about our day.  It seems to bring closeness to a family, I thinkg.

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3. 78

   MarieAliceposted 13 years ago

   Meal times together are priceless, there is not a better moment to share not just food but also your daily experiences.  Not to talk about holiday meals with all the family around the table... Since I moved away from my country this is one of the things I miss more...

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4. 70

   thebiologyofleahposted 13 years ago

   I think it is really important, even now as an adult I enjoy stopping by my parent's house and having a meal with them, catching up on things. For families with younger kids and teens I think it's a good way to force them to sit down and communicate with their family, talk about their day and enjoy each other's company, even if you have to trick them with good eats!

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5. 62

   LauraGSpeaksposted 13 years ago

   Sitting down with my family for a meal is always a treasure.  I love the conversation with the kids.  Hearing about their day is always important to me.  My kids still smell cookies in the oven and chicken parm in the oven, it just isn't as often as we like.  It is hard to have a routine time for family dinners, but if you are flexible, there are ways to may sure you have this time together. Its important to look at your schedule for the week and plan out your meals in advance.  Also, use a crock pot--they are great!

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6. 0

   Emer420posted 13 years ago

   I think that it is very important.  Having a meal with family gives the family time to bond, and grow, together as a family.  It also gives them a chance to sit down and talk to each other, which doesn't happen much during an average day in anyone's life.

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7. 0

   onlookerposted 13 years ago

   We still eat dinner together. It had always been an important together time in my family. Growing up, always eating together, my brother and i around the table with mum and dad, it is still important to us.

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