Posted By

July 26, 2008, 9:14 am
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  Subject

Does Your Family Eat Together? 

I am of the opinion that the problems with kid's diet these days is because the family rarely sits down to eat together. Everyone has a different schedule and everyone has places to go and few families sit down for their meals at the same time together.

When I was a kid (I know I sound OLD!) my family would have the evening meal together every evening. It was a rule that we all have to clear our schedules in order for that to happen. Missing the meal was simply not permitted. And we had to eat what was served, including the vegetables. I think that most of us, who are of a certain age, all ate with our family every night.

I see that my friends usually make a dish that their families are supposed to eat, but I usually see the kids eating whatever they like better. I see that happen in both my friend's houses.

I think that, if they made it a rule to eat meals together, then it would happen. If they made their kid's health the priority they say it is, then they would make the difficult job of getting the family together to eat healthy meals something that they would fight for. From what I see, the kids need their parents to watch what is on their plate and make them eat healthy.

I can't say this to my friends. I know they would tell me that, because I don't have kids, that I wouldn't understand how hard it is to get everyone to eat together.

I still think that since it is so important, then it can be done.

Does anyone here eat meals with their families every night? 

July 26, 2008, 9:25 am
Flag as Inappropriate Ricardo says...

At the moment, our house is just inhabited by my wife and myself, but when we've had more family staying with us in the past, we'd plan to eat together.

I think there are benefits to that. 

July 26, 2008, 9:32 am
Flag as Inappropriate ken7700 says...

I will admit we never seem to sit down and eat together anymore. I think that we should, but our lives are so busy anymore. I know growing up we did it every night. 

July 26, 2008, 6:50 pm
Flag as Inappropriate Sean35 says...

Once our oldest two moved out we pretty much stopped eating at the table and eventually gave it to one of the older kids. Now the three of us eat while watching television. 

July 26, 2008, 8:08 pm
Flag as Inappropriate Philbo says...

Interesting opinion and I'm inclined to agree with you. We still eat together as a family at least for supper. Our kids have no problems with their diet and in general have no problem eating healthy food. In fact I am consistently surprised that when we go to a church potluck my oldest son especially will consistently put a balanced meal on his plate of his own free will. To really give him credit he sometimes does better than I do. 

July 26, 2008, 8:57 pm
Flag as Inappropriate BabeRuth says...

Right now my 'family' is too young to not eat together. A three year old has no choice but to eat with their parent!

So yes we eat every meal together and I hope to continue that for a good time to come. 

July 26, 2008, 10:43 pm
Flag as Inappropriate elvenrunelord says...

In a lot of cases I just don't think its possible for some families to do this any more. You have children with extended school hours and then the after school jobs or studying they have to do.

Its just not reasonable to expect everyone to have time for a formal meal anymore. I do see your point about children just eating what they like and not what is cooked. Something probably should be done about that. People should learn early that you eat for nutrition and because the body has to have food, not for taste. 

July 27, 2008, 7:08 am
Flag as Inappropriate KrisNY says...

I have to say most times. There are some days when we just can't. I try to always sit down and eat with my daughter. When she has practice (sport) sometimes she has to eat before the practice and it's too early for everyone else. I still make sure it's healthy and I sit with her.

All other days- yes we eat together- Even if it is left-over night. 

July 27, 2008, 11:59 am
Flag as Inappropriate Louise31 says...

We eat together every night together I hate families that eat at different times, by eating together it gives us a chance to catch up and talk. 

July 27, 2008, 4:01 pm
Flag as Inappropriate bubble says...

Every single evening meal we sit down as a famliy and eat together. Even if we have family staying with us, we follow the same routine. I think it is very important that the family gets together to talk. This is how I was brought up, and so I am carrying on the tradition with my own family. 

August 10, 2008, 2:03 am
Flag as Inappropriate SpoiledAngel says...

Yes I was raised to sit down and have a family supper/dinner time. We all helped prepare the meal, sit and ate together, and then I would clean up the kitchen and wash dishes. I think alot of the issues with today's lifestyle for most people is lack of family time, it is more of a fast pace lifestyle. Some say good, and others Like myself say it isn't so good. 

August 20, 2008, 1:14 pm
Flag as Inappropriate rdrelle1 says...

We try to eat together at the table. It's either breakfast or dinner most of the time. Lunch however, doesn't happen so often. Sitting on the table with my family is one way of spending quality time together, discuss things over etc.