Meal time is family time

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Prov910

Senior Member
Jan 10, 2017
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#1
For more years than I care to admit the members of my family ate our meals in an impromptu manner, sitting wherever we felt like sitting. We would often eat on the go, at different times. One or more of us would eat our evening meal parked in front of the television in the TV room. Another or perhaps two could be found eating at the kitchen counter, or with a TV tray in a living room chair. We seldom ate together except during "special" meals such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. In fact, our dining room table was often too cluttered for us to even think about serving a meal there.

About three years ago I suggested that we start eating supper together at the dining room table. Granted, we don't eat breakfast or lunch together as a family due to differing work/school schedules. But we now have a practice of eating supper together each day at the dining room table. It's turned out to be a very enjoyable family time! We discuss school activities, work things, sports, yard work, weather, and all manner of other small talk. I would highly recommend it for those who don't eat as a family each day at the same table.
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Next on the agenda: Prayer before meals. We don't do this. We should. And we will!
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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#2
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Next on the agenda: Prayer before meals. We don't do this. We should. And we will!
Prayer before meals is essential as it sets the tone for what you are about to share. I agree wholeheartedly about your recommendation for family meals.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#3
Eating together was one of the first things to fall apart before my marriage ended. I would encourage families to make it a priority, protect it, and work out difficulties so that meals together don't become something your family members avoid.

One suggestion I'd offer: marital problems don't get served at the family table.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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#4
Eating together was one of the first things to fall apart before my marriage ended. I would encourage families to make it a priority, protect it, and work out difficulties so that meals together don't become something your family members avoid.

One suggestion I'd offer: marital problems don't get served at the family table.
Near the end of my first marriage I was eating bologna sandwiches alone. Quiet peaceful actually as no marital problems were served.
 
Feb 28, 2016
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#5
we, hub and myself, ALWAYS pray and partake together...

this is one of Christ's most important times for sharing and bonding,
communicating as a UNIT...
 
Feb 28, 2016
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#6
Near the end of my first marriage I was eating bologna sandwiches alone. Quiet peaceful actually as no marital problems were served.
============================================

this is heartbreaking to read, yet so very common in today's world...
praise Jesus, He has blessed you and your new spouse' with so many
wonderful gifts of Love :):)to share together...
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#7
We bought a fancy eight-foot dining room table (teak with an inlaid tile strip down the middle) about three years ago, and we still have yet to even have the first meal at it. I usually eat, watching TV, or at the computer. Sue often eats standing up at the kitchen counter.
 

Prov910

Senior Member
Jan 10, 2017
880
47
0
#8
We bought a fancy eight-foot dining room table (teak with an inlaid tile strip down the middle) about three years ago, and we still have yet to even have the first meal at it. I usually eat, watching TV, or at the computer. Sue often eats standing up at the kitchen counter.
Do you plan to eat supper tonight? hint-hint-nudge-nudge :)
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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#10
We bought a fancy eight-foot dining room table (teak with an inlaid tile strip down the middle) about three years ago, and we still have yet to even have the first meal at it. I usually eat, watching TV, or at the computer. Sue often eats standing up at the kitchen counter.
Dining room tables are over-rated.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#12
Dining room tables are over-rated.
We did worse than that. We found a deal on a portable fire-pit; $125 with a top and a great set of tools.

But by the time we got rid of a giant overhanging oak tree (almost 14' in circumference) so that it wouldn't catch fire, and put in what started as a tiny patio that turned into a 16'x18' with three walkways leading to it, we had a total of $5,000 invested. That was five years ago, and we have yet to sit out there at the glass table, or even light the first fire in the fire-pit.
 
Feb 28, 2016
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#13
will,

to us, this is 'heart=breaking'...

praying tonight very hard for both of you with much Love!!!
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#14
We eat dinner together every night, while watching The Big Bang Theory. AND, if all goes as planned, I have his coffee ready and (sugar-free) cookies afterward, all before Jeopardy comes on. If it doesn't work out? He has to wait for commercials during Jeopardy, before I make him his coffee. lol

(BTW, he usually makes dinner, so it's not like he's lazy. I just like making his after-dinner coffee.)
 
Y

Yahweh_is_gracious

Guest
#15
My Dad and I almost always sit down at the table to eat supper. I set the table, serve the meal I've cooked, then clean up the kitchen afterwards. It's kind of a pain, but I never liked eating in front of the TV. Having that one meal a day at the table is some form of stability, and I need more stable things in my life.
 
T

Tinuviel

Guest
#16
Yes. It's great for bonding, developing table manners, listening skills, oral skills, unselfishness (because let's face it, it'd be easier to have a sandwich in your room sometimes), it can be a learning experience (a lot of our meals end up somewhere in the dictionary or google, because a debate started that must now be solved), and it's great for communication. Of course...you've got to be careful what you communicate...this is NOT the time to tell everyone that we need to call the AI person tomorrow because you think the Jersey is going into heat :rolleyes:. (And yes, we do have these kinds of awkward dinner conversations at my house...it is really rather embarrassing...)

I would encourage every family to have at least one meal together every day.
 
Feb 28, 2016
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#17
breaking 'the world's programming can be one of the most difficult
events of our lives, else, our lives will 'never change'...
 

littlestarsmum

Senior Member
Oct 19, 2016
635
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#18
Great to hear that, friend! Family meal time is the most important time for us, as well. I so appreciate your willingness to bring your family together in this manner. I’m excited for your next agenda. Family which prays together, stays together. I’ve experienced this in my family. I hope everything goes well with you. All the best!
 

Prov910

Senior Member
Jan 10, 2017
880
47
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#19
Yes. It's great for bonding, developing table manners, listening skills, oral skills, unselfishness (because let's face it, it'd be easier to have a sandwich in your room sometimes), it can be a learning experience (a lot of our meals end up somewhere in the dictionary or google, because a debate started that must now be solved), and it's great for communication. Of course...you've got to be careful what you communicate...this is NOT the time to tell everyone that we need to call the AI person tomorrow because you think the Jersey is going into heat :rolleyes:. (And yes, we do have these kinds of awkward dinner conversations at my house...it is really rather embarrassing...)

I would encourage every family to have at least one meal together every day.
Funny you should mention that. We keep two dictionaries on a bookshelf just behind where I sit at the dinner table—right within handy reach. Why *two* dictionaries you ask? One of them is a huge reference dictionary about six inches thick. It's far too heavy to lift while I'm twisted around in my chair. So I keep a smaller Merriam-Webster Dictionary which is easier to bring over to the dining room table to solve any word issues that may arise. :)