Confession... when we first got married, we ate every meal in front of the tv, unless we were at a restaurant.. eating around the table seemed too formal for our just-out-of college lifestyle. That was our pre-kid stage... Then, about 3 years later, our first son came along, and nothing really changed. Well, EVERYTHING changed, but the not eating around the table didn't change. Things were crazy... Dan working full time, going to school, and coaching on the side. Me trying to hold it all together as a new mom and working full time. My normal routine was to put Bryce in the highchair while I did the dishes and then I would eat standing up or later after he was in bed. Fast forward three years and I have three children, ages 5, not yet 2, and a baby. I was now married to a full-time coach/teacher but he was now working on his emergency teaching certificate, and we were commuting 30 miles each to work, in different directions. At this point, I was still in survival mode... just trying to get my little boys fed was a challenge, clean, and in bed before 9 was a success. Dan was never home and things were insane! Just thinking about those days makes me crazy.. Good memories, but I definitely feel like I "smell the roses" a lot more now. We are still busy, but we are eating around the table about 3-4 times a week. To some that may not sound like enough, but for a coach's family and a full-time working mom, I'm pretty proud of that! The boys have started to expect eating around the dining room table for dinner, and my husband, who never really cared one way or the other if we ate around the table (from a family of 12, I don't think they had a table big enough!) enjoys it, too.
I am so glad that we started eating most dinners around the table together... so many good things happen there. We pray together. We share our "Bests and Worsts." Also, very important to a mom of three sons, we teach manners to our sons. So, to my mom, thanks for instilling these values, you were right!
Monday-Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Tuesday-Cheeseburger "Pie"
Wednesday-Silly Supper (What we call it when we do breakfast for dinner)
Thursday-Hamburgers
Friday-????
I'm so glad to know you're still eating. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd say 3-4 times a week is great for as busy as you guys are! Well done. I love this time for us....and it will only get better as the kids get older and can share more.