Meals with the family should be the norm
I was in a local grocery store the other day and noticed posters reminding people to celebrate "Family Day" on Sept. 25. The point of the ad was to convey to us to have one meal with our children, as a total family unit.
I cannot believe that it has come to having a "special" day to eat together as a family. We should be trying to do this as much as possible anyway. It makes meal time a whole lot more interesting and fun. I just thought it was kind of funny, and sad, that we should be reminded to eat with our children. After all, before we know it, we'll be eating alone. Would've, should've, could've ...
Michael Zales
Greensboro
Comments (5)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
thats a good one-sided opinion. Personally, I liked not eating with the whole family. For me, it was more like an interrogation. Thank god for Cable. For some folks, eating in peace may mean eating alone and they are just fine with that.
Posted on October 1, 2006 7:31 AM
Michael,
My sentiments exactly when I read about that ad campaign. I thought how sad it has come to this.
Even if I don't have time to cook some days, we try to make it a point to eat out together. It's an effort for many between two parents working, parents traveling for work, siblings running here and there to different scheduled activities.
6string,
Perhaps your parents needed to be checking on you? (smile) They were probably asking because they cared about you. Many children don't have a traditional family and sure wish they did. I have found that the less I ask the more I hear from my child. The "down" time is great and sooner or later they are telling you things about their days, their lives because you are just "there". It could be over an ice cream or a coke too. It works. But nothing beats driving your kids and their friends places. They forget about you being there, like a chauffeur. You hear all sorts of things.
Posted on October 1, 2006 9:23 AM
Angel - I think you hit it .. thouse 6-string players ALL need a careful watchin' ...
(just playing wit-cha, Samurai)
Posted on October 1, 2006 11:01 AM
Except on rare occasions, we ALWAYS have a meal together every day. When my children were younger, I would start conversation by asking, "What was the best thing that happened to you today?" and after we all put something on the table and discussed it, I followed with, "What was the worst thing that happened to you today?". Most of the time, there was nothing in that last classification, but occasionally we would hear of some classroom problems/problems with friends etc. It was and is a great way to find out what's on your children's minds and hearts and to let them know you really care about them.
Posted on October 1, 2006 12:13 PM
Some great letters here.
In today's fast-paced, distraction-filled world, one of the only places families get to spend some time together is at the dinner table.
If you don't spend that time together, then I have to question why you bothered to have a family in the first place. I know it isn't always possible but when it is, parents should at least make the effort.
Posted on October 2, 2006 4:11 PM