I need to ask everyone a question. Have you ever gotten into the routine of watching t.v. and eating? Come home, sit down, eat, zone out…
Too many of us have does this. Long gone are the days of sitting at the dinner table everynight with no t.v. or any other electronic distraction.
Some have always watched tv through their meals, and some have accidentally gotten into the routine by one night turning into two then three then….
I have a challenge for all of you. Especially those with children. Make dinner a priority.
I, actually we, have decided to make our dinner time the most important time of the day. And the more time it takes, the better! Long gone are the days of Fast Food.
I am including my whole family in cooking. My children jump in with amazing excitement. They love helping. Usually we make the sides while my husband cooks the meat on the grill. Then, even though we are home, we set the table with more attention then the most fancy of restaurants. The more details, the more pride my children have for the meal. Next we start a pot of coffee and bring the food to the table. With NO T.V.!
And here’s the kicker, We Talk To Each other. I know an amazing concept, right?
We take our time eating, and cleaning up our dishes together, never rushing the meal, then we all get a cup of coffee and visit some more!!! (even the kids get coffee, but the younger the child, the more milk added).
Then we have our children get ready for bed as my husband and I have another cup of coffee. Visiting about our day. Showing our children that we are important to eachother. Then we tuck our kids in bed and visit some more.
We are getting to know each other and our children all over again.
I am now posing a challenge to everyone, children or no children, to slow down, get out your best dishes, and have dinner together. Visit with eachother. Don’t look at your clock and take your time.
You never know, you might create your very own New/Old tradition!
And Please all of you, do this for yourself and your family, and comment to this. Let me know how it works for you.- Kate
Kate,
You have an excellent point here, I remember sitting together as a family, getting to know one another, respecting the honor of family and friendship together, even respecting my mothers table as its own entity, it brought everything into perspective as you looked into the faces of what was truly important and faced the ferustrations of one another head on (it is not always easy to share your existance with another). I think it allows you to live so much more for the moment, especially when you make that key choice to stretch out the “good” moments. That is what we are here to do, bathe in our blessings.
For the singles out there this is as vital if not more, make the choice to bask in a dinner with a friend or family member when you get the chance, and more importantly, make those chances happen.
Thank you Katie, for reminding us to STRETCH OUT THE GOOD MOMENTS….
My heart is with you on your journey,
Lizzy
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