Eating at the kitchen table.

[IAG]

Do you do it?

 

When I was growing up, we ate at the same time every night seated at the kitchen table. I don't think people do that anymore.

 

I kind of picture kids these days eating on the run, or in front of the TV. Maybe that's wrong. That's how I eat, but I live alone.

 

Can't think of the last time I sat down at a table to eat unless I had company.

 

Do any families have the big sit down Waltons type dinner where everyone talks about their day? I think if I had kids, I would insist on that. I think I read once that kids that do that fare better in school.

[ted sheckler]

Great thread BIG BEAR

[The X]

Just bought new couches so we've been eating at the table.

[Dingo]

I believe not eating at the family table has caused the breakdown of family values along with two working parents

As a kid we always ate at the table and we would discuss the daily events etc.

It was how the parents keep track of you

We try to eat at the table at least a few times a week but because of varying schedules it's sometimes tough to do

[Banger]

Always ate at the table growing up,now it's in front of TV. Kinda crazy to think about it honestly.

[IAG]

Great thread BIG BEAR

You didn't answer the question. Lemme guess. You're still getting seated at the children's table on Thanksgiving. No other explanation for a hostile reaction to an innocuous question.

 

I'll look for your next stimulating platty. Have at it big guy.

[gijoe066]

maybe once a week when a game isn't on

[IAG]

I believe not eating at the family table has caused the breakdown of family values along with two working parents

As a kid we always ate at the table and we would discuss the daily events etc.

It was how the parents keep track of you

We try to eat at the table at least a few times a week but because of varying schedules it's sometimes tough to do

I agree. Everyone did that when I was growing up. I can't think if on current television they show families sitting down to eat together. I really was curious what families do these days. If I was a parent, I think I would require it be done at least a certain number of meals per week.

 

My neighbor always asks her daughter what she wants for dinner, and she never eats at the table. When I was a kid we ate whatever was served, and had no input i as far as what that was going to be. There were no accommodations for alternatives if I didn't like said meal.

[FISHHEAD]

Once a week perhaps

 

Thanksgiving day, certainly

[ted sheckler]

You didn't answer the question. Lemme guess. You're still getting seated at the children's table on Thanksgiving. No other explanation for a hostile reaction to an innocuous question.

 

I'll look for your next stimulating platty. Have at it big guy.

 

Ohhh wow.

That's cute.

[Sharp Square]

Couple times a month maximum.  

[Jimmy Hoffa]

We all ate together at the table up until the kids were around 8 and 10.

 

Lots of factors contributed to that habit being dropped. I was working a 4-10 schedule, kids had various activities, etc. It was OK while it lasted but became impractical after a while. I suppose the habit could have been maintained but as a parent you need to choose your battles.

[TheMartian]

 

If cats can eat fish can dogs also ?

[WVU]

I have been trying to eat at the dining room table more often.  I know the wife and kids like when we all eat together.  Generally my plate is delivered to me in my mancave (war room).

[housepicks]

Probably 3 nights a week. My kids are all in sports so it makes it hard sometimes. Nobody has practice today. Family of 6 will be eating together tonight. If I kid doesn't want to come downstairs to eat..they won't eat at all.

[plommer]

[IAG]

Courtesy of almost every family sitcom made in the last 60 years, the family dinner as we know it is an occasion for meatloaf, mashed potatoes, at least one fight over the salt shaker, and a few failed attempts at finding out how school was. Though cliche, this familiar scene highlights an important part of being a family, a meaningful gathering, a sacred time - dinner. With family dinners on the decline and 59% of Americans reporting that their family today has fewer family dinners than when they were growing up, perhaps it’s time to turn the tables. These nine science-based reasons are proof that, meatloaf or not, family dinners are important.

 

1. FAMILY DINNERS MEAN BETTER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Eating meals together has the potential to strengthen family bonds as it provides a daily time for the whole family to be together. For younger children, routine family meals can provide a sense of security and a feeling of belonging in the family. Older children and teenagers, too, prefer eating together as a family. In a recent Columbia University study, 71% of teenagers said they consider talking, catching-up, and spending time with family members as the best part of family dinners.

 

2. FAMILY MEALS LEAD TO HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES

Eating family dinners is associated with healthy dietary food patterns. A 2000 survey found that the nine to 14-year-olds who ate dinner with their families most frequently consumed more fruits and vegetables and less soda and fried foods. Their diets also had higher amounts of many key nutrients, like calcium, iron, and fiber. Matthew W. Gillman, MD, the survey’s lead researcher, noted that family dinners allow for both "discussions of nutrition [and] provision of healthful foods."

 

child eating healthy foods

Eating dinner as a family promotes healthy foods choices (Shutterstock)

 

3. EATING AS A FAMILY LEADS TO BETTER GRADES

Studies have proven that there’s a significant link between family dinners and academic performance. A report by CASA found that teens who have between five and seven family dinners per week were twice as likely to report receiving mostly A’s and B’s in school, compared to those teens who have fewer than three family dinners per week. In addition, only 9% of teens who ate frequently with their families did poorly in school, according to the report.

 

4. FAMILY DINNERS ARE A CHANCE TO EXPLORE NEW FOODS

Family meals have proven to be perfect opportunities for parents to expose children to different foods and expand their tastes. In a 2003 study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, children were offered sweet red pepper and asked to rate how much they liked it. Then, each day for the next eight days, they were invited to eat as much of the pepper as they wanted. By the end of the experiment, the children rated the pepper more highly and were eating more of it.

 

5. FAMILY DINNERS LEAD TO GREATER HAPPINESS

Research examining 5,000 teenagers has shown that when children eat with their parents regularly, they are more likely to be emotionally strong and have better mental health. Teens who ate regular family meals were also more likely to be adjusted, have good manners and communication skills. This effect is not restricted to the children - mothers who ate with their families often were also found to be happier and less stressed as compared to mothers who did not.

 

father and son making dinner together

Eating and prepareing homemade meals strengthens the family bond (Shutterstock)

 

6. HOMEMADE MEALS PROMOTE PORTION CONTROL

The average restaurant meal has as much as 60% more calories than a homemade meal. Combine the fact that portions served in restaurants are continuing to expand with that fact that when we’re presented with more food, we’re more likely to eat more food, and it becomes clear that eating at home is simply healthier.

 

7. FAMILY DINNERS EQUAL HEALTHY KIDS

When families eat together, young children are less likely to be overweight or obese because these children are eat regular, nutritious, home cooked meals, and also help in making or serving those meals.

 

8. FAMILY DINNERS RELIEVE STRESS

If you have a demanding job, finding time to eat with your family may actually leave you feeling less stressed. In 2008, researchers at Brigham Young University conducted a study of IBM employees and found that sitting down to a family meal helped working moms reduce the tension and strain from long hours at the office.

 

mother eating dinner with family

Sharing a meal with your family reduces stress, especially after a long work day (Shutterstock)

 

9. EATING AT HOME SAVES MONEY

In 2007, the average household spent $3,465 on meals at home, and $2,668 on meals away from home, according to the national Consumer Expenditure Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Per meal, that’s about $8 per meal outside of the home, and only about $4.50 per each meal made in your own kitchen.

 

 

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[Dingo]

 

[/quote

 

Don't you think your being too hard on the beaver

[IAG]

https://youtu.be/F7AQkui_fcA

[IAG]

[Gamblin Again]

Froggy Fresh !

[TommyL]

Pre-kids, my wife and I would eat at the table like 3 times a year (Valentine's Day, Anniversary, if we stayed in for a b-day, etc).  Now, with kids, we eat at the table about 95% of the time, and always with the TV off.  It's probably mostly just due to ease (can't imagine trying to get my kids eat anywhere else, too easily distracted), so maybe that will change as they get older.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

growing up we had family dinners every night at 6pm

 

I also never eat at the table unless I have people over

[joeybagadonuts]

Always did growing up.

 

Now that I can choose, maybe a few times a month. Usually have my gf bring me my dinner on the couch so I can watch tv/sweat games/eat all at the same time.

[housepicks]

Youngest girl-CCD

Boy-social studies fair

Middle girl-bball game.

 

No full sit down tonight after all.

 

Just like 36 year wiggerjoe.