So you let your kids read at the dining table

[Anonymous]

We don’t at the dinner table. Dinnertime really isn’t long and it’s our time to sit and talk with each other. There is plenty of time to read before or after dinner. If it’s a weekend and they’re the only one eating breakfast or lunch, sure. But if we are all sitting down to a meal none of us has books or devices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Allowing reading at the dinner table to stave off boredom is supremely entitled and will not serve your children well. They should be able to either engage in conversation, or sit and eat while others talk, or be mindfully engaged in their own meal if they are solo. This really isnt any worse than devices. Its about attention span and allowing space for mindful participation, which no one wants to do ever in an family it seems.

My parents let me read during dinner and I can do all of those things.

I'm sure my best friend would say the same thing about herself as well. But it's total crap. It's to the point where I would rather not hang out with her. She comes over for a drink. We sit down for what I'm expecting to be girl talk/time. I listen to her, pay attention, respond. When it's my turn, she either cuts me off or stares and scrolls her phone. She is very successful professionally so I'm sure she thinks she is doing fine. But she is rude and it drives me insane. And yes, I do tell her all the time that I think it's rude and I don't want to hang out if she is going to keep doing that. Stay at home and scroll your phone.

[Anonymous]

When the kids were in early elementary school and the school week was busy with activities - i would often read aloud to them whatever was assigned as reading homework while we ate dinner. It helped save time - plus we liked eating, reading/listening, talking about the chapter. The homework assignment was for them to read themselves - but they were (still are) avid readers so it was just to get the homework done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I’m sorry that’s as bad as seeing all these kids in restaurants with iPads in their faces. Unless it’s McDonald’s or somewhere similar I can’t see why anyone would drag books in. I’ve never seen it.

No one gives a damn what you think is bad.

People do care about your manners and judge. Is this news to you? Do you live on a deserted island?

Why would I care about your judgement? I'm a successful adult with everything I need in life. I'm not an insecure teen girl who cares what people think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I’m sorry that’s as bad as seeing all these kids in restaurants with iPads in their faces. Unless it’s McDonald’s or somewhere similar I can’t see why anyone would drag books in. I’ve never seen it.

You've never seen someone reading in a restaurant? What a sheltered life you must live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Allowing reading at the dinner table to stave off boredom is supremely entitled and will not serve your children well. They should be able to either engage in conversation, or sit and eat while others talk, or be mindfully engaged in their own meal if they are solo. This really isnt any worse than devices. Its about attention span and allowing space for mindful participation, which no one wants to do ever in an family it seems.

Yeah, reading a book is really showing a lack of attention span GMAFB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Allowing reading at the dinner table to stave off boredom is supremely entitled and will not serve your children well. They should be able to either engage in conversation, or sit and eat while others talk, or be mindfully engaged in their own meal if they are solo. This really isnt any worse than devices. Its about attention span and allowing space for mindful participation, which no one wants to do ever in an family it seems.

My parents let me read during dinner and I can do all of those things.

I'm sure my best friend would say the same thing about herself as well. But it's total crap. It's to the point where I would rather not hang out with her. She comes over for a drink. We sit down for what I'm expecting to be girl talk/time. I listen to her, pay attention, respond. When it's my turn, she either cuts me off or stares and scrolls her phone. She is very successful professionally so I'm sure she thinks she is doing fine. But she is rude and it drives me insane. And yes, I do tell her all the time that I think it's rude and I don't want to hang out if she is going to keep doing that. Stay at home and scroll your phone.

You sound like a pretty sh*tty friend to talk sh*t about your "best friend" on the internet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I’m sorry that’s as bad as seeing all these kids in restaurants with iPads in their faces. Unless it’s McDonald’s or somewhere similar I can’t see why anyone would drag books in. I’ve never seen it.

No one gives a damn what you think is bad.

People do care about your manners and judge. Is this news to you? Do you live on a deserted island?

Why would I care about your judgement? I'm a successful adult with everything I need in life. I'm not an insecure teen girl who cares what people think.

Because your children will be at a huge disadvantage if you don't teach them basic manners. It's astounding that I have to explain this to such a smart and successful person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Allowing reading at the dinner table to stave off boredom is supremely entitled and will not serve your children well. They should be able to either engage in conversation, or sit and eat while others talk, or be mindfully engaged in their own meal if they are solo. This really isnt any worse than devices. Its about attention span and allowing space for mindful participation, which no one wants to do ever in an family it seems.

My parents let me read during dinner and I can do all of those things.

I'm sure my best friend would say the same thing about herself as well. But it's total crap. It's to the point where I would rather not hang out with her. She comes over for a drink. We sit down for what I'm expecting to be girl talk/time. I listen to her, pay attention, respond. When it's my turn, she either cuts me off or stares and scrolls her phone. She is very successful professionally so I'm sure she thinks she is doing fine. But she is rude and it drives me insane. And yes, I do tell her all the time that I think it's rude and I don't want to hang out if she is going to keep doing that. Stay at home and scroll your phone.

You sound like a pretty sh*tty friend to talk sh*t about your "best friend" on the internet.

How am I talking shit when I tell her this EXACTLY right to her face? Did I strike a nerve?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I’m sorry that’s as bad as seeing all these kids in restaurants with iPads in their faces. Unless it’s McDonald’s or somewhere similar I can’t see why anyone would drag books in. I’ve never seen it.

No one gives a damn what you think is bad.

People do care about your manners and judge. Is this news to you? Do you live on a deserted island?

Why would I care about your judgement? I'm a successful adult with everything I need in life. I'm not an insecure teen girl who cares what people think.

Because your children will be at a huge disadvantage if you don't teach them basic manners. It's astounding that I have to explain this to such a smart and successful person.

Just because children occasionally read at the table =/= they lack basic manners. Do you always think of things as strictly one or the other?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Allowing reading at the dinner table to stave off boredom is supremely entitled and will not serve your children well. They should be able to either engage in conversation, or sit and eat while others talk, or be mindfully engaged in their own meal if they are solo. This really isnt any worse than devices. Its about attention span and allowing space for mindful participation, which no one wants to do ever in an family it seems.

My parents let me read during dinner and I can do all of those things.

I'm sure my best friend would say the same thing about herself as well. But it's total crap. It's to the point where I would rather not hang out with her. She comes over for a drink. We sit down for what I'm expecting to be girl talk/time. I listen to her, pay attention, respond. When it's my turn, she either cuts me off or stares and scrolls her phone. She is very successful professionally so I'm sure she thinks she is doing fine. But she is rude and it drives me insane. And yes, I do tell her all the time that I think it's rude and I don't want to hang out if she is going to keep doing that. Stay at home and scroll your phone.

You sound like a pretty sh*tty friend to talk sh*t about your "best friend" on the internet.

How am I talking shit when I tell her this EXACTLY right to her face? Did I strike a nerve?

Wow, with friends like you...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Allowing reading at the dinner table to stave off boredom is supremely entitled and will not serve your children well. They should be able to either engage in conversation, or sit and eat while others talk, or be mindfully engaged in their own meal if they are solo. This really isnt any worse than devices. Its about attention span and allowing space for mindful participation, which no one wants to do ever in an family it seems.

My parents let me read during dinner and I can do all of those things.

I'm sure my best friend would say the same thing about herself as well. But it's total crap. It's to the point where I would rather not hang out with her. She comes over for a drink. We sit down for what I'm expecting to be girl talk/time. I listen to her, pay attention, respond. When it's my turn, she either cuts me off or stares and scrolls her phone. She is very successful professionally so I'm sure she thinks she is doing fine. But she is rude and it drives me insane. And yes, I do tell her all the time that I think it's rude and I don't want to hang out if she is going to keep doing that. Stay at home and scroll your phone.

You sound like a pretty sh*tty friend to talk sh*t about your "best friend" on the internet.

How am I talking shit when I tell her this EXACTLY right to her face? Did I strike a nerve?

You are still talking sh*t about her. It doesnt matter if you think it's better that you say it to her face. What a bizarre assessment. You really consider this person your best friend, and then proceed to list all the ways you hate her? Yikes.

And really not sure what this has to do with children reading. This thread wasn't enough about you, so you had to make it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Allowing reading at the dinner table to stave off boredom is supremely entitled and will not serve your children well. They should be able to either engage in conversation, or sit and eat while others talk, or be mindfully engaged in their own meal if they are solo. This really isnt any worse than devices. Its about attention span and allowing space for mindful participation, which no one wants to do ever in an family it seems.

My parents let me read during dinner and I can do all of those things.

I'm sure my best friend would say the same thing about herself as well. But it's total crap. It's to the point where I would rather not hang out with her. She comes over for a drink. We sit down for what I'm expecting to be girl talk/time. I listen to her, pay attention, respond. When it's my turn, she either cuts me off or stares and scrolls her phone. She is very successful professionally so I'm sure she thinks she is doing fine. But she is rude and it drives me insane. And yes, I do tell her all the time that I think it's rude and I don't want to hang out if she is going to keep doing that. Stay at home and scroll your phone.

You sound like a pretty sh*tty friend to talk sh*t about your "best friend" on the internet.

How am I talking shit when I tell her this EXACTLY right to her face? Did I strike a nerve?

You are still talking sh*t about her. It doesnt matter if you think it's better that you say it to her face. What a bizarre assessment. You really consider this person your best friend, and then proceed to list all the ways you hate her? Yikes.

And really not sure what this has to do with children reading. This thread wasn't enough about you, so you had to make it?

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Bye now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Allowing reading at the dinner table to stave off boredom is supremely entitled and will not serve your children well. They should be able to either engage in conversation, or sit and eat while others talk, or be mindfully engaged in their own meal if they are solo. This really isnt any worse than devices. Its about attention span and allowing space for mindful participation, which no one wants to do ever in an family it seems.

My parents let me read during dinner and I can do all of those things.

I'm sure my best friend would say the same thing about herself as well. But it's total crap. It's to the point where I would rather not hang out with her. She comes over for a drink. We sit down for what I'm expecting to be girl talk/time. I listen to her, pay attention, respond. When it's my turn, she either cuts me off or stares and scrolls her phone. She is very successful professionally so I'm sure she thinks she is doing fine. But she is rude and it drives me insane. And yes, I do tell her all the time that I think it's rude and I don't want to hang out if she is going to keep doing that. Stay at home and scroll your phone.

You sound like a pretty sh*tty friend to talk sh*t about your "best friend" on the internet.

How am I talking shit when I tell her this EXACTLY right to her face? Did I strike a nerve?

Wow, with friends like you...

Yeah, I'm absolutely horrible for expecting an adult to actually engage in conversation when she accepts a social engagement. Are you 10?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Allowing reading at the dinner table to stave off boredom is supremely entitled and will not serve your children well. They should be able to either engage in conversation, or sit and eat while others talk, or be mindfully engaged in their own meal if they are solo. This really isnt any worse than devices. Its about attention span and allowing space for mindful participation, which no one wants to do ever in an family it seems.

Yeah, reading a book is really showing a lack of attention span GMAFB

It's the reading instead of focusing on a non prefered activity (boring parents talking or consuming food you dont love or just sitting still) that shows lack of attention span.