To think Dh may have finally lost the plot?

[LumpyMcBentface]

He has instigated 'news of the day' time at dinner. So when we've all eaten we have to sit there while he imparts the facts he has learned during the day. So today was the news that Corbyn won, and the fact that turmeric has healing properties. And then we are supposed to have a conversation about it.

Then we all have to say one good thing that has happened today.

Urgh. I just want to get back to MNing and ignoring the children. This is torture.

AIBU?

I might just start needing the loo urgently after dinner or something.

If you're not interested - just leave the table and get on with your evening!

I would start asking questions to the DC that are bound to get long, boring answers. Like as PP suggested, the inner workings of minecraft or something. And when they seem to be tapering off ask another question like "So what's a ?" And watch them roll. Also fake confusion so they have to try and think of ten different ways to explain it. Don't let your DH interrupt. Hold up your fork and say "Actually DH I'm very interested in this specific minecraft terminology"

It shouldn't last

Oh this is sad! I used to love chatting over dinner with my family.

Your topic for tomorrow:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansplaining

Awful attitude from Op, unless there are other times in the week that your family keep up to date with current affairs and have meaningful conversation.

Just posted this in the wrong thread .

Here's a site for you, OP:

www.i-am-bored.com/2010/09/320-mostly-useless-but-interesting-facts.html

I particularly liked 'at any one time, 0.7% of the world is drunk' (followed by, 'wish one of them were me').

We've always done this, so it doesn't feel awkward or forced at all. No TVs/phones during meals in our house, we enjoy each other's company and show an interest in what has happened in each of our days. I didn't realise I was in the minority!

I try valiantly with "How was your day?" "Physics test" "Youth club" "Tell me a joke."

Then it's : "Mum, stop shouting at the TV. Cameron's gone. Labour's - pfft"

"Stay away from the internet. Am going to block RealClearPolitics & DailyKos & The Washington Post & The New York Times."

"And stop moaning about the German education system because we're here so it won't help."

Family communication. Such a joy.
"Any ice cream?"

Didn't take long for the humourless lot to join in, did it? Perhaps you could send your husband around to those who madly love talking to the people they live with. That way, you and the kids can blissfully ignore each other, and your husband can have fascinating conversations, such as the many uses of hemp, or explain why Jeremy Hunt inexplicably still has a job, among other exciting conversations.

Report on the latest fleet and service changes in your local bus company this might actually happen in our house

Normal dinner time conversation is great. Some twat bleating on about tumeric is something else.

We've always done best thing worst thing too.
Sad to think people consider it abnormal.
When they were younger we used to all take it in turns to choose a day out at the weekend.

Best time was when I let DC do the weekly shopping aged 6 and 8!!

When my ex used to drone on pontificate upon the many scintillating nuggets of wisdom he'd acquired during the day, I used to casually eat his dinner as well as my own. Half the time, he never even noticed...

I think there's a difference between instigating/encouraging and insisting.

It sounds like a lovely idea and much better than looking at screens and ignoring each other.

Would you like to borrow DS?

He can drone on for hours about Lord of the Rings and the artillery of WW2, especially the development and production of the T-34 tank (Soviet), and its capabilities.

Also Netflix series that I haven't seen, movies I haven't seen, music I don't care about...

I have learned a lot about tanks thanks to him. Artillery and technical aspects of weaponry are elements of 20th century warfare I had always completely glossed over for some reason until he introduced me to the topic.

Or you could borrow DD2, who has political opinions please .

I hated family dinners, thank goodness there was no structure of chat imposed! I was so relieved when I became a teen and no one had a dinner time that matched. I think it probably led to more quality time in some ways. I used to sit and chat with different people at different times, which I prefer.

Don't people just, you know, talk? Without having topics and stuff?

Your dh seems interesting and fun, and I love the idea of News of the Day. Do you fancy a dh swap? Mine will eat in silence at speed whilst thinking about football.

Yes, we do, too, Nanny. We just talk about stuff. We don't think up topics of conversation in advance. Tonight, we were talking about the zombie apocalypse. Or whether it will be some other type of apocalypse. (DH had practised baking bread in the chiminea today, but burnt the bottom of it, making it inedible. Nonetheless he considered it a success, even while throwing it in the food waste bin. Part of the conversation was the rest of us gently mocking his prepping efforts.)

"Nothing is more hopeless than a scheme of merriment." (Dr Johnson)

We just talk, News of the Day would drive me insane. Tell him he's stiltjng the DC's ability to converse spontaneously.

We do best bit and worse bit n the car in the way home from school. Dinner time I usually have news on but ds1 then asks a constant stream of questions about the news -does that classify as family chat?

Why does it need to be so forced? Why can't you all just have a nice chat about your day/life in general.

We all sit around our table and conversation never seems forced. Sometimes I'll ask my daughter and husband how their days went but generally the conversation just flows. We don't overtly ban devices but we don't tend to use them at the table either because I think we all pretty much agree it's rude.