To let kids eat dinner on laps?

[oifrogs]

As in the title. Kids ages 3 and 6 and the table isn't really practical and no space for a larger one so they eat on Laps. I do feel a bit bad but equally is it the hill to die on?

You have a table that no one can sit at? I don’t really understand, but I agree about getting a folding table if possible.

Eating on your laps is going to be a challenge for some meals and no issue for others.
As long as you're all chatting with each other and not staring at a TV you will get the most important benefit of eating together.

Tbh eating together and round a table is important for me. Sorry OP but as you've come here for opinions I think it's something you should try and change if you can.

It's extremely important to me and I'd sacrifice other things rather than a family table.
It's where we eat meals, DS6 does his homework (and where DD3 will whenshe starts school), arts and crafts, play board games etc etc
We also have a kids table and 2 chairs from IKEA that they can use in the living room which is useful for breakfast and when we have takeaway and movie at the weekend.

It would be important to me. I like family meals and somewhere for crafts, homework etc

I'm not sure why you've posted OP. You have a table and feel bad. Use the table then.

It's like this has been posted to start the usual let's judge each other over using a table to eat at thing. One side must use a table at all times or your kids will be feral the other side of misophonia and SN who can't bear eating noises of any kind so all eat apart and the big spectrum of laid back types who eat in front of the telly but wouldn't dare admit it on here.

Personally I don't give a toss what people do as long as the kids eat.

Does this mean they also don’t have a table at which they can sit and draw or do homework?

I grew up eating on the sofa with a tray in front of the TV, and my kids do it pretty often, too.

Kids ages 3 and 6 and the table isn't really practical and no space for a larger one

What does this mean? If you have a table, in what way isn't it practical for a 3 & 6 yo?

Use the table, making whatever changes are needed, as eating properly, at a table of any kind, is a necessary life skill.

Side note, I've seen an experiment once where people who ate whilst watching TV, consumed more food than people who were eating without it. But yes, I would say eating from the lap sometimes is perfectly fine but 🚫 every meal.

We have trays that we use when we don't eat at the table, which is almost all the time.

What's the point of a dining table if there isn't room to eat around it?

Personally, I really don't like it. Especially not every day. I'd get a small kids table or a folding one. My mum has one from IKEA that all folds out and has folding chairs. It's really compact. She uses that for when the grandkids come.

Or if space is a serious issue, blanket on the floor and TV off?

If you have no option it's what you do.

You could use a lap tray or cushion to minimise spillages.

Why isn't the table practical?

Absolutely this.

It's one of the most important places in the home. The essence of "family" and "social".

Is your table covered with household junk and stuff you haven't got space for?

Fed, not dead.

Don't worry about it. X

Lap trays?
Ikea do good cheap child tables and chairs.

Well, even extreme poverty families in mud huts in Africa can manage that!!

How big is this table if there's no room for two small children?

Depends on why really. If you're in a B&B then needs must.

My cousin had some involvement from social services. One of the changes they asked for was for the kids to have a table they eat at regularly. They didn't insist on full on family meals nightly, but some sort of table for the young kids was considered important.

My cousin bought a children's plastic picnic table - not glamorous, but very easy to move out of the way when not in use.

How is your table not practical?

Eating at a table with a knife and fork is a basic life skill.

It's what we do. Don't feel great about it but dd rushes dinner to get it over with and hardly eats anything at the table.