So you let your kids read at the dining table

[Anonymous]

Do you let them read during meals?

[Anonymous]

It would depend on why they wanted to read. I remember being forced to sit at the table with my parents to "be a family" but then they spent the whole time talking about their work to each other and we weren't really allowed to say anything. And they took forever to finish. It was super boring and did not make us a better family. They probably would not have allowed me to read, but it never occurred to me to ask.

[Anonymous]

Why would they be at the table if they weren't eating? How do you eat dinner while reading?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would they be at the table if they weren't eating? How do you eat dinner while reading?

I live alone and often read while eating. It's not hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would depend on why they wanted to read. I remember being forced to sit at the table with my parents to "be a family" but then they spent the whole time talking about their work to each other and we weren't really allowed to say anything. And they took forever to finish. It was super boring and did not make us a better family. They probably would not have allowed me to read, but it never occurred to me to ask.

I experienced the bolded too. It was awful, and my mother seemed to be trying to live out some sort of Donna Reed fantasy. My dad would just drone on and on about his boring work.

[Anonymous]

Yes we allow reading during dinner, kids and adults. 4th grader has become a big reader due in part to this. They read at meals breakfast, lunch, dinner.

I think it is because the direct parent modeling and also some related to filling some boredom at that time at least for my kid.

[Anonymous]

Just to add, we only do paper books or magazines at the table, no phone, iPad, kindle.

[Anonymous]

At breakfast and lunch, it's always fine. Sometimes at dinner if it feels right, but it's not every day. Sometimes I'll also take my daughter out to a diner and we'll both bring books and read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you let them read during meals?

Generally only breakfast, when kids are eating separately because of different school starts. If there’s anyone else at the table, no.

[Anonymous]

Not at dinner when we all catch up and have conversation. Lunch or breakfast? Sure.

[Anonymous]

At breakfast, yes, since we still get a daily paper newspaper.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we used to have “reading dinner” every Tuesday night. We enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

My uncle once read out loud the first chapter of "Angela's Ashes" at a family meal, holding us all hostage. No books at the table.

[Anonymous]

People can read during casual meals, but not during a family dinner.

[Anonymous]

No, not allowed. Phones and books away.