Eating together is good for your health. In yesterday's New York Times, there was a front-page article, Families With Full Plates, Sitting Down to Dinner, that touted the merits of eating together as a family.
"After decades of decline in the simple ritual of family dinners, there is evidence that many families are making the effort to gather at the dinner table," the article reports.
We say Bravo! Shut off the television, have a seat, give a little thanks, and dig in. It's good for you!
It really is one of the best parts of the day...a reward that is worth the effort. By dinnertime, we all are home, we have our work (or homework) done and can relax together and enjoy the meal, either simple or special.
Why is it just those of us with children? It is still a struggle to try to get together even when it's just the two of us. We try to sit down at the dinner table at least once a week, as opposed to pizza in front of the television or grab our own food wherever we are...
We threw out the TV a long time ago, and we eat together every night, and almost every meal on weekends. It is great fun to hear about the school day, and create new family jokes. Kindergarteners are so funny.
I was so happy to see this story in the times (and for added bonus, next to the story about Delay and health care) I almost cried. Even on the nights we get takeout we set the table nicely and eat it together. like danshack, no tv helps alot.
Huh. I clicked "a few times a week" and it showed up, but now, a couple visits later, my vote has disappeared. Weird.
Joan,
Try again. Some of the results got erased right at the beginning, sorry about that.
if by "family" you mean me and my boyfriend!
i just wish our apt was big enough to have a real table to sit at, as opposed to me in the armchair and him on the couch
we are a blended family with two adult careers, two children (9 & 5) who go between us and two different exes. every night some mash up of our family eats together, at the table. no tv on weeknights, and occasionally we all sit down to a special meal together. nonetheless, i would have to say, it is one of the joys of life that our children know their manners, enjoy food and can carry on a dinner conversation. no matter what the configuration, i believe family is what you make it, and the time and energy you spend making and eating a meal together is invaluable, whether take out or thoughtfully prepared.