A Fight for Family

  There is something about the act of sitting down together over a meal that seems almost sacred.  Something beautiful about joining hands and bowing for prayer.  A guaranteed time of visiting and togetherness after a busy day, a time to reconnect.  It was an important part of Christ’s life as well, and the final thing that he did with his friends before enduring the pain of crucifixion!

  As a family, we have chosen to make dinner time count! We have committed to be very aware of the activities we involve our children in and limit, or eliminate the ones taking away from evening meal time too often.   

   Jim Elliot once said, “Wherever you are be ALL there!”  This is why we chose to keep off the TV during supper, and not take phone calls.  We strive to use that time to sit, eat and visit, investing in that time with our children around the dinner table. The investment is small, but the rewards are great ,and will create habits to be passed down from generation to generation!

  One of our favorite things to do during family dinner, is to go around the table and ask for the day’s: “Good, Bad & Blessing.”  We share our favorite part of the day, our lowest part of the day, then something we are thankful for today.  The kids LOVE it, reminding us if we forget with a:  “Mommy? What was YOUR favorite thing today?”  It’s a precious time of sharing, and an open door to discuss what the Lord asks us to do in difficult situations at school, or to just praise Him in the blessings of the day. 

  In the future, I’d love to have a night each week, where a different child helps plan and prepare a meal from start to finish.  It’d be a great time of teaching, learning and helping them to gain a sense of pride and accomplishment, when they sit to eat a meal they helped prepare.

  Dale and I are super committed to keeping Family a priority.  In fact, we are in a war to protect it. It’s a sacred gift to be treasured and enjoyed.  We value the precious moments spent around the family table too much to share with any other activity!   (This excerpt taken from here, in my “Just For This Morning” post, which deals more with this subject.)

I am adding a separate post today called: Benefits of Family Dinners, that breaks things down a bit more specifically.

Try “Good, Bad & Blessing” at the dinner table tonight, I think you will be AMAZED at the wonderful conversation it promotes, and the sense of pride your child feels, as all eyes are on them!

~T

Benefits of Family Dinner

Here are some reasons why it is so beneficial to commit to sit down to family dinner:

• Everyone eats healthier meals.
• Kids are less likely to become overweight or obese.
• Kids more likely to stay away from cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.
• School grades will be better.
• You and your kids will talk more.
• You’ll be more likely to hear about a serious problem.
• Kids will feel like you’re proud of them.
• There will be less stress and tension at home.

 Don’t let this mission of “Family Dinner” feel daunting! Even the simplest meals — like order-in pizza — qualify as family dinners. The goal is to get everyone to the dinner table and to spend quality time together – not to force Mom into June Cleaver or Carol Brady mode.

 Here are tips on pulling it off:

• Set a goal. Sitting down together twice a week, perhaps? Build from there.
• Keep it simple. Family meals don’t have to be elaborate. Work salads and vegetables into meals. Focus on familiar favorites, like chili or spaghetti.
• Be prepared. Keep ingredients for healthful meals on hand, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Get the family involved. Let kids help prepare meals and set the table.
• Use the crock pot. Put everything together before leaving for work in the morning. You’ll come home to the delicious smell of a cooked meal.
• Pick up take-out, order pizza, or eat out. It still counts as quality time spent together.
• Make it enjoyable. Leave the serious discussions for another time. Family meals are for nourishment, comfort, and support.
• Set the mood. Play soothing music. Put flowers on the table. Light a candle. Create a relaxing environment.
• No TV or phones allowed! This is time for listening to each other, sharing the day’s stories and nurturing the family connection.

  No matter how simple the meal, take the time to sit down and enjoy it with your family. Make mealtime a pleasant experience, not a time for discipline or arguing about problems at school or work.

  “No one is asking for rocket science here only shared mac-and-cheese and a bunch of chairs pulled up around the table…..” says Miriam Weinstein, of the book, The Surprising Power of Family Meals.

  

  Time spent breaking bread will help your children form positive attitudes about food and eating, and create fond family memories that will last a lifetime…..

~T