Reply to How old are you kids and how often do you eat dinner at home as a family?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is crazy. Don't your kids play sports/dance/music lessons? When I was a kid we had dinner together on Monday night only from age 7 on. I had dance, gymnastics, piano, and archery lessons every other night.

Kids are 9&12, we have dinner together maybe once a week or once every other week.[/quote]

"Crazy"? Really? That sounds sad Pp.
We prioritize family dinners over any activity. It is the only time of the day we get to connect. You are choosing to model that self improvement is more important than your relationships with each other. Your children may have more accomplishments when they're grown, but will they value the people in their lives? [/quote]

It's not sad to have an active and independent lifestyle. It's sad that you think the only way your children will value you is if you require them to eat in front of you every night instead of participating in things that make them feel fulfilled. My family was and is very supportive of all my endeavors, attended every show, competition, meet, recital, etc that I had. I attend my siblings things as well. I appreciate the sacrifices my parent made to support our lifestyle. I was given the opportunity to be independent and create my own life. My best friends today are the ones I grew up spending every night with, that watched me struggle, and celebrated my successes. As an adult, I am resilient and driven. I wouldn't be that way if my parents had told me I couldn't participate in something because I would miss dinner. It is sad that you are limiting your child's opportunities for your own satisfaction.[/quote]

It's possible to have well rounded kids in multiple activities without completely sacraficing families dinners, or family time in general (I think family dinners are emphasized because it is one of  the best way to get the WHOLE family together). It is not one or the other. My kids have activities nearly every night and weekend and we manage family dinners.  My parents did the same growing up. But they, and I, prioritize balancing one against those other. And I have to be really honest that when my sister died suddenly at 19, I am glad they put an equal priority one both. Life is too short to spend it running around every evening. [/quote]

It's funny you used your sister as a reason for needing the balance. My brother died at age 19 when I was 13. He was the person I was closest to in my family and was there for every single thing I did. That mattered more to me than the "how was your day" 30 min conversation at dinner. If you aren't going to make time to connect any other time, the sure, mandate family dinner. If you're going to do things together as a family where you can experience life together, I think that is better. [b]When I think of my brother I don't think of him sitting across from me at dinner. [/b]I think of the first time I rode the Ninja at Six Flags with him, or him pushing me on the tire swing. [/quote]

Of course, because you never had dinner together.[/quote]

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