Family Values and eating at the table..

Admiral Huddy · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:42

So many of us lead busy lifestyles as more parents work longer hours, have busier society demands that it appears that we make little time for communicating as a family anymore. The tradition of sitting round the table for dinner for example, seems to be dying yet it has its fundamental benefits of brining everyone together. It encourages productive conversation and interaction and good table manners. Plus we can moderate what our children are eating.

“Amazingly, 75 percent of children eat in front of the TV, and a quarter of kids eat alone in their bedroom. “

We have always sat at the table with our kids since they were nippers and it’s always been an important part of our daily schedule. Granted there are occasions when it s not possible but most nights we’ll have dinner together. It’s quite encouraging that we have two older teenagers that actually chat to us quite openly about their delay encounters. I’m convinced this down to the standards we’ve imposed as a family from the start and it generally works for us. So why this is not encouraged more?

How many of you sit as a family at the table for dinner? Do you think this is an essential aspect of family life, a waste of time or just old fashioned? Is it parents just being lazy?

Are there any other family values that have slipped or under valued in our modern lives?

alx · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:46

We always sat at the table for dinner as family, it was usually only very rare occasions when we didn't. Also ate lunch as a family on weekends when about.

As you say I think it's a pretty important thing to do seeing as people are so busy no days. When/if I have children I'll definitely be having family sit down dinners.

godinman · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:46

I think sitting at the table is irrelevant, you're either a crap parent or not a crap parent and choosing to eat in a different place wont change that.

Sure, eating at the table is a nice thing to do, you can converse and you're not having the crappy tv blaring at you, but it wont change your life and it wont make bad people good.

People are far too concerned with the petty things like this, it's essentially just down to being a good person, or being a ****.

Also, 75% of kids eat watching tv, and 25% eat in their rooms, what a load of rubbish.

Oh, when I was young we ate in front of the telly, by the time I was 10ish we started eating at the table, I was a massive **** for most of this time.

Deep · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:46

The only time we sat together as family was on Saturdays. My parents job made this hard when we were younger.

Now, me and my brother are grown up and we will rarely eat together.
I like to sit in my room alone and eat but don't mind eating with the family.

I wouldn't worry if my children didn't eat with us, but we are a close family in many other areas so a meal doesn't change much

The Dread Pirate · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:48

Once a week we have a meal together either at the dining table or in the living room, The rest of the time we sort of do our own thing usually cooking for somthing ourselves individually.

BennyC · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:49

We always ate dinner at the kitchen/dinning from table. That's just the way it was, conversation might not be happening but you're all there eating together.

Even now I feel rude if I were to eat in my room. I don't like eating infront of the TV out of my lap.

The least I can do is sit and converse with the person that has cooked me a meal.

alx · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:50

I guess eating at the table is a result of being a close family that likes to spend time with each other, rather than eating at the table leading to a family being close etc.

Cosimo · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:51

We usually have a meal at the table in the dining room at the weekend.

Django x2 · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:53

Always sat at the table for dinner. In slightly latter years, that extended to having a TV on occassionally, but never whilst eating, normally always after during the cup of tea

Thinking back, we used to have tea and dad would have his when he came in from work.

I will absolutely be trying my best to replicate this when I have kids. I think it's a great value to have

The IPB · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:53

Always ate at the table with the family when I lived with my rents, and when I have children we will all eat at the table together when possible.

Dr. Pain · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:54

This is a very British thing btw.

On the continent espectially Italy and Romania they have huge family values, and would never consider acting the way we do.

This country is fast becoming a social cesspit of people with no morality, manners, or consideration for others.

godinman · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:58

Dr. Pain said:
This is a very British thing btw.

On the continent espectially Italy and Romania they have huge family values, and would never consider acting the way we do.

This country is fast becoming a social cesspit of people with no morality, manners, or consideration for others.

What is a very British thing?

Ceryndrion · 15 Jul 2011 at 09:58

When I am on my own, I just eat at my desk, when I have guests, then eat at the table..

Have to agree with the above comment regarding the lack of morality, manners and consideration in modern british society.

clade · 15 Jul 2011 at 10:07

We didnt use to do this but after turning the kitchen/dinning room into one room it has made the experience a lot less "formal".

I like the time to sit down and chat with them as they can normaly share a few funny stories as we do lead very busy lives.

When im on my own I still eat in the kitchen/dinning room but with just the radio on.

I dont mind TV but its so anti social and turns people into zombies. My kids will not be having tv/computers in there rooms. Bedrooms are for sleep!

Admiral Huddy · 15 Jul 2011 at 10:08

godinman said:
I think sitting at the table is irrelevant, you're either a crap parent or not a crap parent and choosing to eat in a different place wont change that.

Sure, eating at the table is a nice thing to do, you can converse and you're not having the crappy tv blaring at you, but it wont change your life and it wont make bad people good.

I think it's completely relevant.. The point is taking the time out to converse and communicate as a group. When and where is there a better time and place without the distractions?

shine · 15 Jul 2011 at 10:08

As kids we would always sit down at the table as a family for dinner. Even now long after we've all left home we continue the tradition in our own homes and we try and organise get togethers often for the now extended family to spend time together.

antijoke · 15 Jul 2011 at 10:11

We try and sit at the table as much as possible, but with my working hours we tend to only be able to eat as a family at weekends, but when we do we eat at the table.

However when our children do eat, they eat at the table for breakfast,lunch and tea.

Twentyone · 15 Jul 2011 at 10:13

My family always eat togheter at the table. My in-laws don't and I kind of miss it.

I think it's a nice thing to do and will continue doing so with my own kids.

topshot · 15 Jul 2011 at 10:15

Don't have children yet, but me and the mrs always sit at the table for dinner. Dont like sitting in the lounge to eat.

Hastarius · 15 Jul 2011 at 10:16

Never ate at the table with my family, ocassionally at Christmas I'll sit at the table with a few family members.

It was usually in front of the TV, nowadays I make food for myself and eat at my desk usually watching Iplayer which is pretty similar to eating infront of the TV.