And have been doing so since our first child was born.
I have read countless articles and books about all the positives a family dinner can create. They create opportunities for young children to learn their place in their culture all the way up to less of a chance of drug and alcohol use in the teen years.
Sitting as a family at the table provides us a tv free opportunity to talk and spend uninterrupted time together. Our 3 year old likes to help set the table by laying out the silverware and napkins at every ones spot. She always looks so proud when she is done! Even when I don't have time to cook dinner and we end up getting a pizza delivered we still find ourselves up at the table.
By no means are we a June Cleaver, Leave it to Beaver kind of family. If you come into my home while at we are eating dinner you will most likely find my son trying to crawl out of his high chair, my daughter banging her fork on her plate, the hubs and I trying to feed ourselves and the kids and The Postal Service playing on the iPod in the background.
While its not picture perfect its perfect for our family.
And the best part?
On special occasions the hubs and I feed the kids at the table then put them to bed and he goes out for take out so he and I can eat a late night dinner. Just the two of us. On the couch :)
